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As a native Coloradoan, I consider myself fairly adventurous.
Slowly, but surely making my way up the ice wall.
Ive said yes to backpacking, cliff jumping, rock climbing, water skiing, and high-altitude hiking.
Come watch the competition, they said, and then attempt the high-octane activity yourself.
Before arriving at the World Cup venue in downtown Denver, I felt mildly nervous but mostly just psyched.
A competitor fights his way to top of the course in the men’s Lead event at the 2019 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Championships in Denver.
Despite what the name ice climbing might suggest, this structure doesnt necessarily involve any ice.
This requires a combination of problem solving, skill, strength, and flexibility.
Its an all-out sprint requiring both strength and agility.
A competitor swings from a plywood box in the Lead event at the 2019 UIAA World Ice Climbing Championships in Denver.
How the heck does someone get into this niche activity?!
And that was the first thing I asked.
That said, Stritch admitted she didnt love the activity on her first few attempts.
Ice climbing competitors in the women’s Speed event at the 2019 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Championships in Denver.
She didn’t have the right gear or proper instruction.
Learning the correct technique, she told me, makes a world of difference.
And it isnt that complicated, she explained.
All suited up and smiling through the nerves before my own ice climbing attempt.
(More on technique in a minute.)
Throughout our conversation, I asked her for advice for my upcoming first attempt.
What stuck with me the most was this: Just relax.
One of the two ice climbing picks I used. Made by French company Petzl, it had a soft, rubber handgrip at the base and a saw-like blade at the top.
“You dont need to hold your tools as hard as you think you do.
The next day, I geared upliterally and mentallyfor my own attempt at ice climbing.
After a night spent mulling over Stritchs advice, I awoke early the next day.
I wore lightweight mountaineering boots made by Italian company La Sportiva and strapped specialized ice climbing crampons underneath.
At any rate, I donned regular workout clothes and headed back to the ice climbing venue.
With the gear in place, I was ready to go.
Next came the hands-on instruction.
Before I tried scaling the ice, I practiced the basic arm and leg movements at the base of the wall.
Interestingly, much of the technique felt very counterintuitive to me.
To begin, I stood next to the wall and swung my picks into the ice as practiced.
Repeating this pattern over and over, I began my first attempt up the wall.
Already struggling to keep proper form about 30 seconds into my first ice climbing attempt.
Within 30 seconds, my arms were burning.
So yeah, my first attempt was pretty terrible.
As I was lowered back to the ground, I felt simultaneously proud, exhilarated, and exhausted.
Slowly, but surely making my way up the ice wall.
There are some outdoor spots and “ice parks,” which just seem way,waaayscarier to me.
Feeling both elated and relieved as I was lowered down from my first attempt up the wall.
