Producer’s Note
"Filming from the base of the waterfall these guys were climbing was an experience in itself. Chunks of ice ranging from the size of a grain of sand to large rocks would fall from the cliff, hitting the ice shelf above and then ricochet past my head, whizzing by like a bullet and then thunking into the snow. With all the climbers there that day, there was actually a steady stream of broken ice falling from the cliff. I didn't shoot in that spot too long."

Nikia Furman

Stairway To Heaven

Colorado

Ice Climbing
Stairway To Heaven is a striking 900 foot cascade of ice near the small mining town of Silverton. Considered a North American classic, it is often prone to avalanche danger during the winter months, so Les and Steve were pretty excited that the weather was in their favor for an attempt!

Logistics
After a day of warmups on the short but steep ice in the Ouray Ice Park, it's time to head out the the mountains for some "wild ice". Despite an early start, there were plenty of others on the route, and icefall was a constant concern on the bottom half of the climb. As the day moved on, the unseasonable heat and softening snow and ice were on Les and Steve's minds. Well, that and getting to the top!

DIY
On a weekend with good conditions, you can expect to share this route with plenty of other climbers, so plan to get an early start to beat the crowds. A scouting trip the day before is a good idea if you're not familiar with the area. On warmer days, plan to be off the route as early as possible; the route gets sun most of the day, and the descent gully is notorious for avalanche conditions. Or, if you're not quite comfortable tackling this on your own, you can hire a guide in nearby Ouray.