12-14 JAN 2001
Bashing Ice at the Ice Bash
Ice of all shapes, sizes and even - depending on the soil seepage - colors, abounds in the Uncompaghre River Gorge Ice Park, located just five minutes from greater downtown metropolitan Ouray, Colorado. For the sixth consecutive year, organizer Jeff Lowe has put together the Ouray Ice Festival, complete with gear demos, climbing clinics, slideshows and, of course, the competitions.
The men's competition will feature last year's all-around master of ice, Raphael Slawinski of Canada, along with Jared Ogden of the US and Sean Isaac and Guy Lacelle of Canada. Joining them for Saturday's men's comp will be France's Himalayan super-alpinist Jean Christophe Lafaille, as well as Helgi Christensen from, appropriately enough, Iceland.
Jen Stewart, last year's women's winner, will return, as will Abby Watkins, an Aussie expatriate currently residing amidst the bountiful ice of the Canadian Rockies. Kim Reynolds will also compete with them on Sunday.
Two segments comprise the competition, each with a separate score. First, the competitors will each choose a pure ice route (no rock climbing involved) to climb for the Pure Ice Skill and Artistry segment. Each will be judged on the difficulty of the chosen route and the efficiency, security and artistry with which it was climbed.
The second half of the competition is the Gymnastics, Power and Vision Sport Mixed route. All competitors will climb on the designated mixed rock and route crafted by event organizer Jeff Lowe. The winner on the mixed route will be the individual who reaches the highest point on the route, with ties broken by least numbers of slips and elapsed time.
Stay tuned to MountainZone.com for competition reports and festival news.
