i'm looking to get into. i'll be climbing mt whitney this winter and was wondering if anyone knew some spots along the way or if they want to join us and maybe teach a little?

Lee Vining - number one ice climbing spot for Southern Californians, is at the bottom of the hill that goes up to Tuolumne off the 395.
vertical to near vertical ice, mostly 1 pitch, a bunch of 80-100 ft top rope routes, all leadable at WI 3-5 I think, a few 2 pitch routes. about an hour approach.

June Lake - when it sets up a handful of moderate less than vertical routes up to 2 pitches. short approach

Tahquitz - once every 5 years or so the Trough and a couple other routes to the far left set up just right for mixed ice and rock climbing at a moderate level. one hour approach.

North Palisade area of the Sierra - V Notch and U Notch, multi pitch coulior ice climbing, U notch is about 40*, V notch is about 50*. Great backcountry ice climbing. a day long approach for most, so this is a multi day trip. late August-October is best ice season, in the summer they are snow climbs.

Edited by asandh on 09/30/2012 22:37:04 MDT.

Lee Vining Canyon is where the commercial guides go.

Also, there is a little up around Tahoe.

--B.G.--

Mt Dana, North side of North Peak, Sawtooths. Ice or snow depending on season.

any chance you'd sell some of your gear?

these seems to be a handful of places mentioned on the internet. how does one even find new places to ice climb?

That's what commercial guides are for. They know all of the secret spots in their area.

--B.G.--

brb, gonna go find some secret areas

so Greg, or Rich, or whoever you are, why don't you go troll somewhere else

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/anyone-up-to-teach-a-noob-ice-climbing/107830040

We go ice climbing at Lee Vining and June Lake. It formed in January and the condition is still good for now.