Despite
pretty dry and grim ice conditions here in New England, the Ice Fest and Trade
Show season has been full on. I have
been spending just about every week since late December traveling to one or the
other. And it’s been a total
blast! Tons of friends, family, new
routes, and LOTS of partying and meeting new folks. First up was a trip to Colorado to climb at
the Rigid Designator Amphitheatre on the way to the Ouray Ice Fest, do the
comp, climb some more, and basically enjoy the sun and good temps. The climbing in Vail was amazing, and I was
able to spend a couple days sampling some of the best mixed climbing in the
world. I meet up with fellow competitors
Sam Elias and Emily Harrington who were also there prepping for the comp. It was nothing but inspirational watching
them quietly CRUSH everything in sight!!
Thanks to both of them for all the beta and encouragement!
The Amphitheater
Emily hiking M9
Ouray 2012: After two 5th place finishes and no Josh Wharton
this year, I thought I was a shoo-in for 4th...HA, but it was not to
be and I ended up 6th. I have
to say I do love the unique rush of tying in beneath the route, hearing the
crowd and announcers cheering and jeering above, and goin’ ALL in.
Up next was the Adirondack Mountain Fest in New York, where
I worked the Mammut booth handing out gear and beta, and had a great time hanging
out with both new and old friends from all over. With no time to spare I packed up again and
headed to Utah to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake, which anyone who has
been will tell you is overwhelming, exhausting, and an absolute ragger of a
good time.
Mammut at the Mountain Fest: This dude knows whats up
The Usual Suspects
Now, time marches on and this week I’m back home to help set
an indoor drytooling competition route at our local Ice Fest the Smugglers
Notch Ice Bash.
Fellow setters Matt
McCormick, Doug Madara and I go all out for this.
Full on hanging logs, upside-down Ice
features, and every mixed move in the book…gonna be good!!
And then FINALLY some time to get back to the real
motivation; New routes, these two just went in 20 minutes from my house.
Josh Worley - Burlington VT
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