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| Climbs are listed in order of increasing distance from the car or trailhead. Mile 0.0 is the airport intersection. |
| Mile 9.70 left side of the highway Excelsior IV 2800' This climb is located on the mountainside north (left) of the Richardson Highway opposite the first entrance to Alpine Woods subdivision at Whispering Spruce Drive. It is visible as a large ice smear high above the road; from the highway, bushwhack about 300' of elevation to a large stream which is followed upward. Continue past three steep pillars of ice up to 175' in length. This is generally an early season climb because later on thick snow covers it. Scramble down 45-de-gree open slopes to the highway. Mile 9.90 left side of the highway Scotty's Amphitheatre II 120' This route is a stairstep fall which is on the left (north) side of the Richardson almost directly across from the second (Chalet Drive) entrance to Alpine Woods subdivision, marked by a large sign. The route is best visible from the road at the Chalet intersection, and requires a 20 minute bushwhack for the approach. For descent, walk off or rappel from good spruce trees. Mile 11.05 left side of the highway Royal Ribbons V- 320' This climb is located in a small canyon directly behind a small cabin. Please ask owners for permission to cross on their property. The top of the climb can be seen from the road, the bottom section which is to the left and hidden doesn't come into view until after hiking up a creek for 45 minutes. The first pitch is about 150' of ice averaging 75 degrees but with vertical sections of 10-20'. From a belay climb another 30' of 75 degree ice and then start a 5.5 rock traverse. The traverse is 50' in length. Then 100' of steep ice is encountered which includes a 25' hollow pillar which is dead vertical or slightly overhanging. |
| Mile 12.03 left side of the highway Horseshoe I 100' This route is located just off the old, now replaced section of the Richardson Highway. A small creek is noted where a pull out and rest area may have been. Following the creek a few yards one discovers a small gulch as the creek makes a right turn and heads up the hillside. There is often open water at the bottom to traverse, then a series of interesting bulges. Walk around to the right and down. Mile 12.50 left side of the highway VAC IV 400' This climb is visible high on a mountainside north of the Richardson Highway as one is coming into town from Keyston Canyon. It is narrow at the top and broadening as it descends. It is reached from the road by hiking up the east rim of a narrow canyon about a thousand vertical feet. After the canyon levels out at the top, the falls are visible several hundred yards beyond. Descend by rappelling on the right or by a lengthy bushwhack to the far right. |
| All information taken, with permission, from Andrew Embick's book Blue Ice and Black Gold |
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