If it's not snowing, go climbing...The Eastern Sierra in December

Well, here we are again in the middle of December with a snow pack you can count in centimeters...but why complain?  When the weather's not cooperating a simple shift of focus makes lemons into lemonade.  So while it hasn't been snowing, I took advantage of the little bit of snow that has fallen this year and the cold temps to do what might can't be done often with big snow loads: climb some ice!

A few friends from the Eastern Sierra called and said that the ice in Parker Canyon was in!  This is usually a flow that gets buried within the first heavy snow of the season, but due to the high and dry conditions the blue mass of ice was visible from miles away.

Parker Lake - frozen solid..mostly.

Thomas Greene charging towards the blue stuff.

Viren Perumal reaching for a screw while leading Parker Falls Left.

Lyra Pierotti, of California Alpine Guides, swims in a sea of ice.

Getting ready to climb and trying not to freeze!  Cold for California!

I talk, Thomas belays, and Viren leads.

Viren sending the first bulge.

Me following the falls.

Me soling a serac that had snapped off the pocket glacier above.