In Search of Blue Granite 
Northeast Ice Climbing 1998

The rest of the year I trained hard and in August of 1997 I returned to Austria for an incredible alpine season. The trip to Austria brought my climbing confidence back and left me thirsty for more. So, as soon as the days turned short, I headed North in search of blue granite.

What follows is a collection of stories and photographs describing my ice climbing trips during the 1998 season. This year I was blessed with the company of very talented and good hearted partners who are the real heroes of the stories that you are about to read. In spite uncommonly lean conditions due to El Niño, we still managed to do some great routes while forging new friendships.

• Turkey Weekend at Smuggler's Notch - November 29-30, 1997

(Trip Report -- 2 pictures)  
• Adirondack International Mountainfest '98 - January, 16-18, 1998

(Trip Report -- 6 pictures)  
• A Chicken Hearted Weekend - Adirondacks steep ice climbing, February 7-8, 1998
• The North Face of Gothics, (Trip Report -- 5 pictures)
• From Joe's Place to Positive Thinking, (Trip Report -- 3 pictures)
• Positive Thinking: Part Duex - Scott Kinkele's version of events

(Trip Report)
 
• 5^th Annual Mount Washington Ice Festival - February 13-16, 1998

(Trip Report -- poster art, map, 7 pictures)

Pedro I. Espina,^© 1998