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Climbing Routes

The Fang

The Fang
Vail, CO 81657
39.64° N 106.32° W

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Features

Truly an infamous ice climb in Colorado. It is a 120’ free hanging icicle to the right of the Rigid Designator. It used to form naturally only once every 5 years or so until a rope was left hanging down it. Now it forms more consistently, but it usually doesn’t touch down until much later than the Designator, and even then can form poorly and fall down a few times before thickening. Not good to be anywhere near it if it collapses.

Consider the conditions and stability of this climb carefully before attempting it. Fortunately it never sees any sun.

The bottom is generally heavily cauliflowered and can be tricky. Up higher it’s generally straight forward vertical to overhanging ice. Easier for mixed experts, pretty desperate for the rest of us.

More Details

Highlights

First Ascent: Alex Lowe, 1981

Size

130'

Type

W15

Difficulty

1 pitch, 130 feet, Grade II

Protection

Req.

Exposure

Big

Rock Quality

Ice

Access

Pick up the trail at the Vail Nordic Center. Respect the Nordic Tracks on the hike up.

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