Get Out

Death-defying ice climb brings spiritual healing

By Akshay Nanavati

The ice cracked as I swung my axes into the outer layer. Without the comfort of the rope to protect me, I had no choice but to let the intimacy of the moment sweep into the depths of my being. I hesitated for a second. Thoughts imprisoned my movement. “Use the fear, this will not defeat you,” I whispered to myself. The spirit regained control. Unrestrained, I floated up the ice, free as the majestic birds that soared high above my blades.

The empty parking lot welcomed us as we drove into Carpenter Falls, NY. Four out of the seven people on the trip were virgins to ice. They seemed nervous, but excited about what lay ahead. We gathered up the ropes, ice tools, crampons, protection for setting up anchors and began the 20-minute hike in to the falls.

The 50-foot wall of ice appeared in front of us as we walked into the gorge. I became one with the world around me. Grabbing a second ice tool, I charged up the 60 degree incline without needing to be tied in to a rope. It was the first day of my life. If only every day felt like this. After playing on the ice for what could well have been a lifetime, it occurred to me to share the experience with the rest of the group. I traversed over to the top of a 90-degree pillar with the fattest ice to set up an anchor.

I rappelled down, eager to spread the message of the ice Gods to the other four who remained ignorant of Their voice. As we took turns on the line, we became closer to each other and to the earth. The immeasurable high from walking up nature’s frozen spectacle united us as equals. The Gods had spoken. With an open heart, we listened. Each new climber descended to the horizontal with a newfound love for the vertical.

We inched our way back up the trail, exhausted. A full day of climbing had taken its toll on everyone — the first timers more so than the rest of us. Yet, their eyes spoke more than they needed to. I smiled to myself, content in the knowledge that I helped convert a few more souls to my religion.