Batchawana Bay, February 5 and March 16, 2011
Mile 38 Road, Km 4 Cliff
Dutch Treat, WI3+ 55m
Mixed potential in the slot/chimney to the left of Dutch Treat (the left corner can be followed to the top of the cliff)
Tish-Tisk, WI 4+ located 50m left of Dutch Treat
Blue Avenjure (on the left?)
Havilland Chimney
Antonio and I stopped in Batchawana Bay on our way out west in early February and did a nice climb on the Mile 38 Rd.(km 4) called Dutch Treat (WI3+, 55m). We were hoping to do Blue Avenjure (a 100m WI3+), but without a guidebook ended up hopping on the first route we saw. I don’t think Blue Avenjure was in completely anyway. I think it’s the leftmost line in the photo. It looks like an awesome line (but harder than WI3+, if we were looking at the proper line).
On the way back I stopped in Batchawana Bay again and spent the evening telling tall tales with Shaun Parent. Shaun was kind enough to put me up for one night at his place (he’s got a nice bunkhouse next to his place). The next morning we climbed at the Havilland Slabs (WI2+/3-, 60m) where Shaun was guiding. The ice was soft and heroic and still thick. I neglected to take a photo of the Slabs, but took one of the Havilland Chimney around the corner.
According to Shaun the ice on Mile 38 Road should be good for another week or two.
Looks like there’s a large amount of interesting ice (and rock) at Batchawana. Going to have to make a trip back up there next year. The only problem is that you need a snowmobile to access a lot of the climbs (Are you reading this Jon? I’m going to make good on my promise to make use of your snowmobile next year).
Danylo Darewych
