Cody Ice Climbing
Situated just East of Yellowstone National Park, Cody is the gateway to the Absaroka Range of Wyoming. It is a popular tourist destination in the summer, but few know of the world class ice climbing surrounding Cody on the South Fork of the Shoshone and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. The season here is from November to March. For experienced ice climbers who don't mind a long approach, you can expect rewarding multi-pitches of any grade, freestanding pillars, and epic views.
Difficulty:
Intermediate, experience climbing outdoors recommended
Fitness:
Ability to climb WI3 and hike with 20 lb backpack in uneven snowy terrain.
Price:
Season:
Dec - April
Group Size:
1-4 participants
Duration:
6-8 hours of field time
Location:
South Fork of the Shoshone river and Clarks Fork of Yellowstone River
Includes:
Rental climbing equipment, group equipment, & instruction from a professional guide
Excludes:
Climbing Boots, Backpack, Food, transportation, lodging, personal items, and guide gratuity
Cody,
Wyoming
Getting There
Access to Cody is easy, with direct flights available to many cities across the West. For those wishing to combine their winter trip with adventures around the Red Lodge area (1 hour from Cody), consider flying in or out of Billings, less than 2 hours away.
On the Eastern, dry side on the mountains, roads are windswept and see less snowfall, meaning that they are generally well kept and snow free. Regardless, visitors should be prepared for snow and ice on any trip through this region. 4wd/awd is recommended.
The ice climbing is about 1 hour from Cody and 1-2 hours from Red Lodge, on extremely scenic drives. Climbers visiting for multiple days can book a room in the valley, saving drive time each day.
South Fork Ice Climbing
The South Fork of the Shoshone is unique. More akin to ice climbing venues of the Canadian Rockies, it host hundreds of routes, most of which are multi-pitch, with some reaching 10 pitches in length.
Because of the valley's orientation and the multitude of climbs on either side of the river, there is classic climbing on all aspects. This means that conditions remain reliable throughout the season.
The best climbs in the South Fork depend on conditions and desired experience. Some of the classic multi-pitches include Broken Hearts WI4-6, Mean Green WI4, High on Boulder/Moonrise WI4-5, Spyin' 'n Flyin' WI4, and more. Many climbers come for the epic pillars or striking flows and find themselves satisfied with a lap on routes like Moratorium WI4+, Bozo's Revenge WI3, Sendero Illuminoso WI4, Ice Fest WI5, or Cabin Fever WI4.
Approaches in Cody are big and length of days should not be underestimated. If considering a trip here, make the most of it and plan for a rest day or combine a day of multi-pitch climbing with a shorter day.
This is our favorite ice venue in the lower 48. See for yourself why it's so good!
The Town
Cody is a tourist hotspot during summer, being the gateway to Yellowstone for all coming from the East. During winter, the town slows down and has a local feel to it. Due to it's location on the Eastern side of the mountains, it's drier and can be windy during mid-winter, but the sun often shines, cutting the cold.
Cody hosts a number of lodging options, from old Western style inns to more modern hotels. Main street is walking distance from most hotels and has a number of dining and café options, along with a gear shop and some tourist attractions, such as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
For those wanting an immersive climbing experience, one can stay at a ranch just 10 minutes from the climbing. Beware, as there are no restaurants or amenities in the valley!
Unlike the distilled nature of Cooke City, Cody boasts many winter time amenities and ease of access. This makes it a reasonable destination for ice climbers who want to climb adventurous routes, enjoy a cozy airbnb, and eat out. In the end, the ice is what keeps bringing climbers back!
Chief Joseph Ice Climbing
The Beartooth mountains have a rich history of ice climbing and, along with that, a strong ethic of not documenting climbs. The ice climbing off Chief Joseph Scenic Byway is no exception, and because of that has remained an overlooked but incredible ice climbing venue just an hour from Cody and a little over an hour from Red Lodge.
One the eastern edge of the Beartooths, the Clarks Fork region lies in a rain shadow meaning low snowfall and warmer temperatures than it's nearby counterpart Cooke City. Expect sage brush filled benches with deep gorges cutting through beneath and big mountains towering overhead.
In the gorges, there are a multitude of long moderate ice climbs and the region's best natural "ice park", a perfect area for honing in skills on a cold day or making an active rest day after big approaches in the South Fork.
Above the benches, there is a variety of classic routes that are best climbed early, with the most famous being the 70m WI5, the Booger, an epic flow visible from the highway.