FYI -

Lake City is having an ice climbing festival at its ice park the weekend of March 1. Entry fee is only $20, and there will be a speed competition, large bon-fire, and party each night. The ice park has been in fat since November, and the natural lines just outside of town are in the best condition in recent memory, with new route potential available in many places. There are also some new bolted mixed lines in the park.

Do you have any more details, or is there a website set up for it?

Are some local businesses sponsoring? I want to make sure I reward them with my business.

Lake City is the semi-secret gem of CO ice climbing. Good stuff for the hardcore and weak-sauce (like me). It is not suited to the folks who seem to have a hard time building a proper anchor when presented with 3 bomber bolt or trees (like some scary folks at the Ouray Ice Park), but it is great for anyone with moderate skills on up.

Lodging is generally way cheap and the only challenge is the small number of restaurants open in the winter.

George

http://www.lakecity.com/winter/iceclimbing.html

http://www.lakecitywinter.com/iceclimbing.html

I am sorry to say that this is a word of mouth deal, and I don't have more details or a website address. I live in Lake City, and am certain that we are having a festival that weekend, and have been asked to spread the word. Businesses which support the ice park are Sweet Peas, Mocha Moose, Town Square Cabins, and several others. All proceeds from the festival will go directly to improvements/expansion of the ice park. This is the first year that we have been able to legitimately farm ice with all of the necessary permits, insurance, etc.

Alpine Moose motel (and restaurant) takes well behaved dogs, and there is a laundry mat in town to dry out your stuff if you need to.

Bump.

My wife and I will be up there this weekend and we are looking forward to seeing the result of all the hard work that has gone in this year.

George

George,

try contacting Mike Read in Lake City. He can be reached at lakecityiceclimbs@earthlink.net

For some reason the committee in Lake City are really keeping the information on the ice festival under wraps. I think it's going to be a two day event, March 1 & 2 with a slide show on saturday night.

See you there.

Jack Roberts

Jack-

Thanks for the info. We are getting there on Friday night and are staying till Tuesday. I look forward to seeing you there.

Are you doing the slide show?

-George

Bump.

A little more information.....

The winner of the speed competition wins a new dry rope, and there will be a sushi dinner and climbing movie at the local saloon on Saturday evening. Second place is a cash prize. We are making ice tonight and tomorrow night. This is the first Lake City Ice Festival (many more will follow), and will be a laid-back, super-fun, and a do not miss event. Don't miss out on the ground level of what will become a stellar San Juan tradition. No crowds, no spray, just relaxing fun with like minded folks. Hope to see you there.

PK

PK-

Thanks for the additional information. I am looking forward to meeting folks and eating some sushi. Is there any prize for the slowest, most out of shape climber? :)

Thanks,

George Marsden
Los Alamos, NM

George -

There will be plenty of fat and out of shape sorts there too. The prize for being slow, etc. is spending a weekend ice climbing in Lake City!

Look forward to meeting you George.

PK

"For some reason the committee in Lake City are really keeping the information on the ice festival under wraps."

There really isn't a lot of capacity there. Maybe 6-10 ropes in the lower area right in town, then maybe 12 ice gullies, of which maybe 6-8 can be expected to be in condition, then maybe 3 more ropes in the uppper area. Have I missed something?

Jed -

There are more like 20 lines. The park is not huge, but there is lots of room for expansion. That is why we are trying to raise money with the festival to increase the size of the park. In the long run, there is an area further up Henson Creek that could be sick if it were farmed - i.e. multi-pitch (200+ feet) and dead vertical.

Are you missing something? If you don't go to the festival you are.

PK

bummer I have to work this weekend.. sounds like a good time. I dunno if I'm gonna be able to make it to Lake City this season (originally my plan)

we'll see!