The first weekend of 2012 I spent in “the Switzerland of America,” Ouray Colorado at the Ouray Ice Festival. The quaint town of Ouray, pronounced “euray”, is nestled into a valley completely surrounded by impressive mountains. The Ice Festival takes places just above the town at the
Ouray Ice Park, a “manmade ice climbing venue operated in a spectacular natural gorge.”
I like to browse Craigslist regularly and I came across a post asking for a ride-share to the festival. I’d never heard of it, but when I looked it up I knew I had to go. A six hour car ride later we arrive in Ouray.
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| Main Street in Ouray |
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| Moon Halo |
My craigslist friend and I decided to brave the cold and car camp in a small park above the city. It was a beautifully clear night with an almost moon acting as our night light. In the morning we prepared to watch the highlight of the festival, the climbing competition. I talked the editor of Rock and Ice into getting me access to the base of the gorge so I could shoot the competition.
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| Emily Harrington working on her first place womens finish during the competition on Saturday |
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| Emily Harrington shows off her “figure of nine” technique |
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| From down inside the gorge |
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| Nathan Kutcher crossing the ice bridge for his first place finish. |
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| Andres Marin starting off his second place run |
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| Rob Cordey-Cotter reaching the ice-bridge right before he timed out |
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| Rob Cordey-Cotter free soloing a WI5 out of the gorge instead of taking the “walk of shame” |
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| Dawn Glanc working her way across the ice bridge |
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| Rob Cordey-Cotter topside after free soloing out of the gorge |
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| The view down the gorge |
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| The spectacular mountains that surround Ouray |
To be a bit pedantic, Emily is doing a figure of nine on your shot, since her right leg is on her right tool. A figure of four crosses limbs.
Thank you for that clarification. I will update it.