Snowfall could make ice climbing more difficult

OURAY — Ice climbing will be more difficult given the more than 20 inches of snow that fell on Ouray over the past few days. But organizers said this snowfall is not likely to have a significant effect on the Ice Festival, which kicks off today.

“It does (affect the ice) just because we get this layer that you would find in an avalanche (situation),” said Erin Eddy, Ouray Ice Festival director. “It just makes climbing more difficult but it’s not a big deal.”

Eddy said people climbing on the ice will most help improve conditions. Park and festival workers educate climbers about cleaning their climb surfaces for safety and sporting reasons, said Rob Holmes, Ouray Ice Park low temperature high altitude creative irrigation specialist.

Though recent and constant snowfall may not significantly affect climbing conditions, it does make the creation of snow difficult, said Holmes.

“We have 190 showerheads or sprayers plus over 400 valves. We have to dig all these things out before we can make ice,” said Holmes, who works with one other person to create ice.

“You can’t put water on top of snow, you’ll have this layering effect. You’ll have established ice on top of snow ... and that’s kind of a dangerous situation to get into,” he said.

Holmes compared recent snowfall activity to the winter of 1991 and 1992, when he first moved to Ouray.

“I compare it to that year, we had a foot of snow every other day it seemed like all winter long,” he said. “We’ve had lots of snow some years but it seems like (this year) it’s been coming in waves.”

Ouray received a combined total of 21 inches of snow between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Tuesday. The highest amount of 8.1 inches fell between Saturday and Sunday morning, said Dan Cuevas, National Weather Service technician in Grand Junction.  Snowfall figures were provided by cooperative observer reports.

A storm affecting the region this week is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of snow by tonight, Cuevas said.

There are 50 open competitors lined up for the festival; 18 finalists will compete on Saturday, said Eddy. Preliminary competitions run today and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

For more information, check www.ourayicefestival.com or call 325-4288

Contact Lisa Huynh via email at lisah@montrosepress.com