Saturday, January 12, 2013
On Saturday we battled the frigid temperatures to visit the annual Ouray Ice Festival. We checked it out last year for the first time and had a lot of fun, so we made sure to return again this year. We arrived early and spent most of the day watching the competition and the other ice climbers in the park. Even though the temperatures were colder than usual, we still had a great time. Attending the Ice Festival just might continue to become one of our annual traditions.
Snow on the mountains around Ouray.
Snow Covered by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Early Climber by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Climbing on rock in the competition.
On the Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This guy spent much of the day carving a large ice sculpture.
Cutting Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Spectators watch the competition from the bridge over Box Canyon.
Spectators by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I accidentally bumped the shutter button on my camera while standing on a viewing platform watching some climbers. When I got home and was looking through my photos from the day it caught my eye because it looks kind of cool.
Accidental Pattern by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
After a few hours some light snow moved into the area.
Snowstorm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ice & Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This was a busy wall.
Busy Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This competitor is getting close to the top but came up a little short. We actually never saw anyone make it to the top while we were watching.
Hanging Out by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Hanging Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
On the Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ice & Climber by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Icicles by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Ice Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Step Up by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Wall of Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Two Ice Climbers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Before leaving the Ice Festival I took a ride on the zip line that was setup over the canyon. Then we drove to the other side of town so I could hike to the frozen Cascade Falls. I climbed up to the fall and was able to get behind the ice.
Cascade Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The view over Ouray from Cascade Falls.
Small Break by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr