Mountainfest 2009
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Gray stylin' on the pillar. |
The Mountaineer, Rock & River Lodge, the Keene Valley Fire Department and Keene Central School hosted our community's 13th annual Adirondack International Mountainfest this past weekend here in Keene Valley. Participants enjoyed a weekend of climbing and mountaineering clinics from local and guest guides & athletes, a spaghetti dinner at the firehouse, and evening presentations in the KCS BeaverDome from the Telluride Mountain Film Festival, Jennifer Lowe & Conrad Anker, and NH-based guide/athlete Janet Bergman. Many sponsors, athletes and reps were on hand to lend out demo gear and clothing. Proceeds go to benefit local conservation groups, fire departments, and the Access Fund.
Cloudsplitter guides taught their own 'annual' clinics at the event- with Emilie teaching her now infamous (despite her otherwise extremely modest demeanor) Cold Axe Bitches women's ice climbing seminar with the Mountaineer's Lori Crowningshield and guest athlete Janet Bergman, and Jesse offering two days of small team (1:2) multi-pitch ice climbing. As usual, we had PLENTY of ice and mixed terrain to climb. We also had our typically extreme Adirondack mid-winter weather- with zero degree temps on Saturday morning (that finished off a stretch of record cold & clear weather), transitioning (whew!) to warmer temps (teens-20's!) with new snow on Sunday. We both had great days with enjoyable people and got a lot of satisfying climbing in. That's what this small mountain town community is all about!
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On this pitch, Szaje pulled the screws while Drummer Boy took the bulge head-on. |
On Saturday I climbed with long-time guests and Mountainfest regulars Gray and John, who- prepared that the cold temps would require a little PMA- 'positive mental attitude' - at the belays, were psyched to get on the center stage fat pillars on Power Play. On Sunday I climbed with two Mikes- Szaje and the Drummer Boy- who had met in Conrad's Advanced Ice clinic (2 of 4 'Mikes'! in their group the day before- hence the 'handles') who were equally psyched to put their newly refined movement skills to use and practice technical skills for cruising some moderate multi-pitch terrain. We had a nice 'alpine' like day- joking about 'fresh tracks' as we methodically cleared snow off the lower-angled pitches, and used the 'big white footholds' on the kicked-in steeper sections of Crystal Ice Tower, White Line Fever and Chouinard's Gully. Many thanks to ALL for joining us for a great weekend and supporting our community!
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Gray and John below the pillar. |
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Gray takes a break on the ramp before committing to the pillar. |
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John finding great stemming on the right side of the pillar. |
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Gray pulls the bulge on Power Play's second pitch. |
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John taking the time to rest, relax and keep his hands warm - a key strategy on steep ice and in cold temps. |
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Szaje and Drummer Boy each take a line on Crystal Ice Tower. |
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Alpine-like cruising on White Line Fever. |
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Szaje and Drummer Boy above the bulge on Chouinard's Gully. |
