Free weekend between Mississippi & Miami marathons – kick back & rest?  That would be a NO.  Winter time in Colorado is prime time for outdoor activities.  Purchased a Groupon for Ash & Tom at Christmas for ice climbing, couldn’t help but tag along.

Was told it’s harder to climb in Colorado because our ice is river water, not glacier ice like in Alaska.  Axe & crampons stick easier in glacier ice – river ice chips so important to stay on belay (rope) should you pop off.

2 hour drive to Colorado Springs (love the Springs), then a short quarter mile hike to Cheyenne Canyon with our guide Andrew (a scrawny rock climber – weighed maybe a buck ten).  Had to compete for wall space with a local climbing group – so actually started off on the intermediate wall.  Roped up, kicked in my crampons & struck a few blows before I found rhythm (muscle memory – hadn’t climbed since Matanuska, day before my Alaska marathon).

Forgot how much I LOVE ice climbing – it’s a thinking man’s sport.  Yeah, there’s physical involved but LOVE picking my route – it’s unique to each climber.  Do I use an existing hit (to place my axe)?  Go right, go left – where is the better/thicker ice?  How far can I reach? Strike high, using that arm (& forward motion) to propel the body UP, kick in again with your crampon.

Struggled up the ice lip but ultimately, SUCCESS!  LOVE LOVE LOVE ice climbing!

Ash & Tom took their try at the wall.  Not fair their first climb would be on an intermediate wall – no training, little instruction.  Luckily, an easier tie soon opened – more ice, less vertical.  Lot more fun – both summited, good memories 🙂

We paid for a half day so I took in 2 more verticals before Ash & Tom worked belay and let Andrew climb.

Felt good to be in the mountains.  Perfect conditions – sunshine, no wind.  Crazy addictive sport.  Can see myself hitting it regularly once my running schedule frees next year.  So much competition for time – cross country skiing, snow shoeing, another 14er winter summit, ice climbing…& only December to April to get it all in.  LOVE LOVE my Colorado life!