Ouray Ice Festival 2014

Saturday, January 11, 2014

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

On Saturday, Diane and I drove down to Ouray for the annual Ice Festival. This is the third year in a row that I have gone to photograph the climbers and I always have a great time. Maybe next year I'll try my hand at a little easy ice climbing while I am there ;)

When we first arrived at the ice park we watched the Elite Mixed Ice Climbing Competition for a little while.

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Rock & Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Hanging Out by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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On the Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Putting the finishing touches on the ice sculpture.

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Finishing Touches by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Ouray Ice Sculpture by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After watching the competition for a bit we wandered up the canyon to check out some of the other climbers.

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Swing by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

They seemed to be having a good time...

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Going Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Ice Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Narrow Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Below by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

While we were on the upper bridge we watched this climber who was right below us. The angle from right above him made for a nice set of photos.

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Step by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Looking Up by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Leading by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Hanging On by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Breaking Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Vertical by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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First Ascent by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After watching the ice climbers for a while and walking around the vendor booths we decided to take a drive up to Red Mountain Pass to take in the wintry sights along the way.

The Yankee Girl looks good surrounded by snow.

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Yankee Girl by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Snowline by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Snow & Trees by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We were hoping to get in some snowshoeing while we were down in the mountains but by the time we finished our drive up to Red Mountain Pass and back it was getting too late to start a hike. Instead we decided to make a quick stop at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on our way home since Diane had never been there before.

The late afternoon light on the steep canyon walls was nice while we were here.

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Shadows by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

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Black Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Ouray Ice Festival 2014 Photo Gallery