3rd Annual Alaska Ice Climbing Festival March 4,5,6 Portage & Anchorage, Alaska

More Ak Ice Fest 2010

Getting air above the crux over hang dry tool curtain
Ah ha, proof that this guy was out of bounds...the rules were that they had to work the rock section with only ice tools in the ice band to the right of the orange paint.
Pulling Down Hard
Hitting the mixed comp route, all 6'8" of Roger Sparks hailing from the amazing athletes of the 210th PJ section, who are basically the Air National Guards Special Forces Unit. Three PJ's competed & all flashed the comp in great style! I think even two of them won 2nd & 3rd place, too....
This guy had great technique & form!!!

Ak Ice Fest 2010

First Annual Ice Climbing Festival in Anchorage area

First Annual Ice Climbing Festival in the Anchorage area. Jayme Dixon, The Ascending Path, AMH, Alaska Ice Climbing, MCA, 210th PJ's, Alaska Rock Gym, AAC, Access Fund and many others worked continuously for half a year trying to get together the first large scale Ice Festival and Competition in Hunter Creek. The 3 day event provided beginner to advanced climbers the opportunity to learn skills in many clinics. This was a momentous occasion as it brought together a lot of talent and different groups of climbers in Alaska. People flew in from Juneau, Kodiak, Fairbanks and many were present from Southcentral Alaska. AMH, The Ascending Path, Petzl & BD provided demo gear. While instructors ranged from some of Alaska's best: Harry Hunt, Joe Stock, Ralph Tingey, Ascending Path Guides, 210th PJ's etc. It was a lot of work as most figured out by the end of the weekend. I would say the attendance was around 200 or so climbers, outdoorsy folks, and family for the 3 day event. All in all it was a great weekend with a killer mixed comp route complete with moss and choss, Chris Lindsey DJing, kegs from Moose's Tooth, a slide show, wrap up dinner at Organic Oasis with live auction and direct sunlight!!! Waaahoooo :) Can't wait for next year's event! I will not be off the sofa next year for the comp though, Harry!!! ------Heather Szundy