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Yes, it’s the 2011 poster, but whatever. They haven’t quite jumped on the 2012 bandwagon yet.
The OURAY ICE CLIMBING FESTIVAL!!! Seriously, I have wanted to go to this festival for years, but I am always so late to remember it and by the time I do, it is all booked up. I was psyched when my friend Craig called me the other day and told me that a few of us were booking a hotel for the festival cause there were only 4 rooms left in town!
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For those of you that haven’t been to Ouray, or have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, let me explain! Ouray is a small town in the southwestern part of the state (northeast of Telluride, and kinda by Lake City, the most adorable town in the world!) and it is stunning. Surrounded by mountains, the town is seriously picturesque. Ouray also happens to have an ice climbing park and is a mecca for the sport. Because of this, the largest ice climbing festival occurs every January. Lots of gear is demo’d, lots of famous climbers show their stuff, but most importantly, there are a lot of clinics. I plan on taking the Intro to Ice Climbing for Women clinic with Cindy, and I am so excited! Registration for the clinics doesn’t open until November 1, but we’re all set with the hotel. I mean, seriously. How cool will it be to learn how to do this??!!
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I. Am. Psyched!
Have any of y’all seen the TV show Everest: Beyond the Limit? I don’t think it’s on the air anymore, but I discovered it this past weekend on my Netflix streaming. It’s a reality show that follows Russell Brice, an expedition leader who takes groups up Everest. And let me tell you– shit gets intense!
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One man was a double amputee (reminded me of this post!) and a sherpa had to carry him down because his prosthetics were too painful after the summit. I am most amazed by the sherpas. You watch these guys as they complete their 10th or 11th summit of Everest and set up the ropes and carry the food, and then you see the other paying customers struggle up the mountain as they creep through the ‘Death Zone.’ The sherpas’ bodies are amazing! These men are seriously built for this mountain, and watching them in action left me in awe! If you get a chance, check the show out. It’s unbelievable, and the cinematography is insane!!
I definitely would climb Aconcagua, and Kilimanjaro is on my life bucket list….but I don’t know about Everest. I used to say yes, but the older I get, I’m not willing to die on a peak 🙂
Have you ever ice climbed before? Or do you think it’s scary and/or stupid?!