An ice climber scales The Fang in Vail, Colorado in relatively good ice conditions.

The Fang is one of the most classic WI-5 routes in Colorado when in-shape which it is not quite at the end of 2009.  Ice conditions in RMNP are mostly poor at the moment with very few high quality routes in shape and this is unlikely to change in the months to come.  Vail, Colorado along with Ouray are the two better locations for ice climbing in what is one of the better states in the lower 48 for ice climbing. The Canadian Rockies are one of the best venues in North America and the world for this sport and there is always lots to climb in the areas around Banff.