Updated Dec. 20, 4:25 p.m.

WINTERSPORTS -- Ice climbers jumped at the rare opportunity this bitter-cold weekend to find solid ice at Palouse Falls State Park.

Good all-weather gear highly recommended.

Indeed, Jess Roskelley of Spokane is leading the climb in this photo decked out in kayaking duds along with Scott Coldiron, who's belaying from below.

"We were both wearing dry suits because of the spray," Roskelley said.

Update:

Washington State Parks officials came across this blog post on Dec. 20 and became concerned about more ice climbers showing up to try to climb the area around Palouse Falls, or worse yet, untrained visitors thinking it's safe to poke behind area boundary signs for recreational adventure.

They requested that I write a story about the dangers of going into the falls ampitheater, and all the rescues they already have to deal with in the Palouse Falls area.