Ouray heats up with annual ice climbing festival Jason Monroe OURAY - Jean-Christophe Lafaille's journey halfway across the globe to visit the Ouray Ice Climbing Festival was not for competition, but to visit one of the most unique climbing venues in the world. "I don't know of another place that has the same conditions for such a good climb," said the French climber. "There is no avalanche danger and it (is) very friendly. It's unique and I like the place, the village." Lafaille, who has been climbing since he was a 6-year-old youngster and has scaled ice peaks around the globe, including a Himalayan climb in 1992, still loves to visit the "Switzerland of the Unites States." "I like this place very well," he said, noting that the ease of access is one of the main draws to the park and he has never seen another ice climbing venue where there is almost no backcountry to get in the way of climbing. Lafaille hosted a clinic Saturday on the challenges of big mountain climbs and also spent time during the weekend sport climbing with some of his spider-like friends. The Ouray Ice Climbing Festival was born out of the need to stimulate the sluggish Ouray winter economy and boost revenues at the Ouray Victorian Inn, owned by Gary Wild and Bill Whitt, two of the festival's founders. Wild and Whitt expanded the naturally occurring ice routes in the winter of 1993-94 by tapping into a Ouray Hydroelectric pipe filled with Uncompahgre River water that ran along the top of the gorge, which gave the ice a yellowish-orange tint. The water for the manufactured climbing routes was replaced the following year with water from the city's water supply, which changed the color to the brilliant blue now seen on the sheer surfaces. The first official year of the festival was 1995, and in 1996, the free event attracted nearly 400 ice climbers from England, France, Spain, New Zealand, Bolivia, Argentina, Canada, and the U.S. The festival, which shut down the majority of the climbing park for clinics and competitions, also featured a vast consumer trade show, featuring several well-known vendors such as Marmot, North Face and Patagonia. "It's going good," said event coordinator Erin Eddy. The event, which drew 25 competitors from across the globe, also drew upwards of 1,000 spectators and 500 ice hounds looking to get a piece of action on the vertical surfaces. "It is important for the climbing community to have international representation," said Asolo General Manager Bruce Franks. The Italy-based company produces climbing and hiking footwear and was one of the festival's main sponsors. The international flavor of the festival is necessary "to get recognition for the event and to show an international sense of community," Franks said. "All climbers tie on the ropes the same way." Contact Jason Monroe via e-mail |