I Tried Ice Climbing

Just the start of 13 weeks pregnant and my fiance and I went ice climbing. I'm not showing much so it's not to uncomfortable yet and it felt amazing. Still no need for the full body harness but we are getting close to having to switch.

The weather hasn't been as cold as we would like as of late but we took our chances, hired a car and did the hour drive to the coast to scope some ice for Friday. Without to much luck and only one spot that looked possible but maybe to thin from the road it was getting dark and we opted to go have sushi. The sushi in Iwanai is amazing and yes it's safe while pregnant in moderation. Japanese doctors have given me the ok. We drove an hour back home and looked online again for more ice climbing in Japan. Ryan found a new site about ice in Japan and we looked into the locations to decide if we should attempt to go to one of them instead. We choose a waterfall with beg/int ice also within an hour drive and went to sleep. 

Upon waking we drove to the known ice climbing waterfall. The hike was a well established boot path about a half mile up river to a gorgeous frozen waterfall. We set up quick, had some peanuts, and scrambled to the base to check out the conditions of the ice. Ryan deemed it safe enough to climb and began leading up the frozen fortress. One screw in, then two, and a third before topping out to the bolted anchor. 

After a boot swap and some water it was my turn. Ryan called the pitch WI2 which is perfect for a noob like me, an introductory to ice. I fidgeted with the ice tools trying to figure out how to properly hold them. With some coaching from Ryan I was on my way and scrambling to the top. Took me a couple swings to figure out the correct wrist flick to stick the tools in but I got it okay and made it up. 

Next, we tried the ice slightly left of where we went up initially. Ryan deemed this WI3 and since the top rope was set all that was needed was a directional to prevent a swing if I fell. After Ryan effortlessly scrambled up and set the directional I was again on my way. The key to this route was finding the good feet. I made it to the top, cleaned the anchor, and rappelled down. Just in time to get out quickly and be greeted by locals at the car who gave us Barley Tea. 

We had to have the car back by 6pm so it was a race against the clock. A stop at home to unload gear, gas, and we made it with 10min to spare! Finishing the day with a stop at J's in Kutchan, which is an after climbing ritual we have started, for fish tacos and a quesadilla. He hands down has the best burgers and Mexican food in Japan.