Ice Climbing in Hyalite Canyon, Montana

 Ice Climbing in Hyalite Canyon, Montana

Photograph by Jason Thompson

“Winter Dance does not form every year, and it's extremely difficult. For those reasons it's seen very few ascents,” says climber Whit Magro, seen here on the third pitch of the challenging route in the main fork of Hyalite
Canyon, a classic ice-climbing destination outside of Bozeman. “I had just
after passed through the scariest part of the route and was happy to see a good rest spot approaching ahead.”
“This volcanic rock may look beautiful, but it's terrible, unconsolidated, loose, and scary to climb on,” says Magro, who lives in Bozeman and has been ice climbing for 15 years. “It’s one of the reasons why this route is so demanding.”
“Ice climbing is one of the most wild mediums of climbing that can be done,” says Magro. “It has a high level of adventure due to its unpredictability and it's dynamic nature.”
Getting the Shot
Recently, photographer Jason Thompson and climbers Magro and Adam Knoff set out to link two difficult routes together—Winter Dance and the Big Sleep—in Hyalite Canyon. “This day was meant to figure out how to get from the top of either climb to the top of the next climb, which involves a lot of terrain to cover,” says Thompson.
“Whit and Adam were moving really quickly and efficiently on the first climb of the day, Winter Dance. Spirits were high and the decision to give the link-up a go was made,” recalls Thompson.
Thompson shot from a ridge running parallel to Winter Dance. “Whit's climbing is very smooth and fluid. It’s great to watch through my lens,” says Thompson. “Reaching the top of Winter Dance and still having the stoke to continue the journey along the ridge over to the Big Sleep was inspiring. It was a great day in the mountains.”
Thompson photographed with a Canon 7D and a Canon f/3.5, 28-200mm lens.