The Scratch

There is an ice climb North of Durango called 'Seven Year Itch'  and as the name might suggest it doesn't come in every year. In fact I would go so far as to say it doesn't come in most years.  However every fall as ice climbers drive North of town they look up at the climb and see how it's coming along, hoping it might come in.  Some friends and I have been talking for some time about bolting a mixed climb to access the ice up high in years when the climb doesn't come in fully.

So this Febuary the two Bens hiked up to 'The Itch' with the plan of bolting a route called 'The Scratch'.
Due to sugar snow and having to break trail, the hike took 3hrs 45min.

Ben Gardner on the hike up

'Seven Year Itch'

After finally reaching the climb we got to work cleaning and bolting the best looking line.  By the time we were done it was to late to give the climb a go so we headed back to the car arriving after dark.  

Ben back a the car, after a long day of hard work and no climbing.

I just found out that Matt and Dan hiked up to the climb yesterday to try and steal the FFA but were shut down.  However they report that it still needs some cleaning but will go likely go at M8-9.