Nature with Nick

03/05/2026

And that's a wrap on this one! Didn't make it up Solo Menagerie this year, but I made it off and that's what's most important.

I'll be back the season after next to give Solo another go, but I was really humbled by this one this time around and that makes me want to wait a while before getting back on it...

Honestly though, even two weeks after my first attempt, it was a vastly different climb (even shaded): what was once partially snow was now harder, poor quality ice. During my first attempt, being able to use those snowy patches to kick a side foot made a world of difference for spots to rest and place screws.

Having falling ice around never helps either 😬

Still, it was a pleasure to climb with JJ and it was cool to get on a few of the Tower Road climbs with him as well.

Speaking of Tower Road, after my foray into first Ascent hunting the last trip, I had marked out a few spots that I thought were promising for new ice routes and this time around, I did get to do a fair bit of scouting on a rest day and check out the spots I had marked.

As I suspected, I was able to find three new crags with ice and mixed routes ranging from 20-70' (6-21m)

The first one of these was kind of lame but quite close to camp; this first crag is named Sub-Par mixed and the name really says it all (not pictured).

The second was better and it is pictured in photo 3 onwards (called Tower Crag).

The third spot was also pretty cool with routes in the 30-70' range; it's called Hill Wall (not pictured).

As for the first and second spots, I'll be adding them to Mountain Project soon.

I'm not going to give too many details on Hill Wall right now because I'm still hoping to get the rest of it climbed out this year later in March 🤞🏻, so the third spot will go up once we've climbed it out, eh bud?

In terms of the second crag, I soloed the ice in picture 4, which I'm calling, 'Little Boy Blue' (WI2+, 25' feet) and top rope soloed the pillar-mushroom in picture 5, which I'm calling 'Anybody Order a Pipin' Hot Pan with Shrooms' (WI4, 25').

The left side of Pipin' is unclimbed, as is the beautiful ice in photo 6, so once I put them up, get after em!

03/02/2026

Soo Ice Fest was freaking AMAZING! Gros Cap was epic! The company was great, and the talks at the Taproom were the perfect way to end an awesome day of climbing!

Bravo to the ladies, gents, SAR team, and everyone who showed up to climb this weekend; you're all fantastic!

For a first year Ice Fest, this was an incredible experience and I was blown away!

I already cannot wait to be at the next one 🤘🏻!

02/16/2026

Second to last ice trip of the season in the books and this one blew my mind.

This climb is one I didn't think I'd be on until I had another 2-3 years of Lead ice experience under my belt, but things have a funny way of not working out as planned and sometimes, when the conditions are in, you've got to go for it.

Extremely proud to say that I led a full half of this beast yesterday (somewhere between 50-60m) before deciding to bring up my follower and then retreat (rapping out via a backed up thread, which also served to let a few others in our party top rope the route).

I could have continued up but going any higher would have entailed stepping over my risk threshold for yesterday and I have kids to think about.

In retrospect I am kicking myself a little because I know now, that if I had taken a minute to rest and examine the route again, I could've traversed to the right or the left side and finished the climb for sure.

I am extremely fortunate to have a very patient and loving wife who has supported my passion for climbing ice way more than any remotely reasonable person could ever expect. That same incredible wife is giving me one last ice trip this season 2 weeks from now, so if conditions last or don't decline too much between now and the beginning of March I will get one more shot to put this in the books!

I was super duper fortunate to get to climb with the Chicago Mountaineering Club this weekend (seriously, what a privilege) and it was super cool to find out that the club accepts Michiganders! I'll definitely be seeking to join in the next year or two!

And last but definitely not least, it was wonderful to join for the celebration of Shaun Parent's (the man, the myth, the legend) 70th birthday!

For anyone who doesn't know, this dude is responsible for discovering and developing the vast majority of rock and ice routes in Northern Ontario (more than 1500 first ascents from Thunder Bay to Orient Bay to Agawa Canyon to Montreal River Harbor to Mile 38 road and more!

In rock terms, he's pretty much the Canadian Fred Becky of the ice world!

01/05/2026

What a weekend, bud!

Good times, great company, and mind-blowing adventures on ice!

Blessed to have climbed with some crushers and have coffee and later pizza with the man, the myth, the legend (check out his new maps; only a few of Montreal River Harbor left! Agawa and Mile 38 still to come!)

I did a lot of living in the moment on this short trip, so I did not take a ton of pictures; (literally none the first day!), but lord did I climb and lead my little heart out!

12/28/2025

Another trip to Ontario and my first Lead Rope Solos on ice in the books.

One line at Searchmont and to the base of the much steeper ice on Sensitol out at Gartshore/Moose Mountain.

I'll be back with a partner to lead that entire climb as well as explore the rest of that beautiful dome next weekend.

12/14/2025

11/21/2025

Super fortunate to make my first pilgrimage to the Gunks last weekend!

Led my first lead rope solo multi-pitch (Three Pines, 5.3), though I stopped after pitch 2 because pitch 3 was a traverse over slab.

As a rope soloist, that sounded like rope drag, questionable pro, and a big pendulum if I messed it up, so I rapped and spent the rest of the day exploring the cliffline.

It was pretty epic to get to see and climb at a place that so many legendary climbers have cut their teeth at.

Seriously, everybody from David Roberts to Yvon Chouinard to Lynn Hill has climbed at the Gunks.

I'll definitely be spending more time here next rock season, like a lot more time, but rock season is almost over!

One more rock trip, maybe two, and then it's ice time baby! And man it can't come fast enough!

?

10/24/2025

Well, this one turned out pretty amazing

10/20/2025

Another trip to Seneca in the books, this time climbing as a group of three!

I may get a trip or two more this rock season, but it's hard to believe it's nearly over!

On the other hand, I have been climbing rock since March, so I'm BEYOND ready for ICE SEASON!

That's right, the best time of the year!

Though, rock is pretty cool sometimes; especially whenever I get to climb it with these two jokers 😂

09/19/2025

Good morning !