Saturday, January 25, 2020
Last year I wasn’t able to make it to the annual Ouray Ice Festival since I was busy exploring the Paria Plateau that weekend instead, but this year I made sure to spend a few hours at the festival on Saturday morning since it’s the 25th Anniversary of the event! I left home early on Saturday morning, grabbed a quick breakfast on my way out of town and arrived at the Ouray Ice Park just in time to watch the beginning of the Elite Mixed Climbing Competition. After watching a few of the ice climbers on the competition route from the bridge, I wandered around the vendor booths and then watched and photographed other climbers on the ice in the Uncompahgre Gorge. I left in the early afternoon and grabbed a Mocha Shake from Mouse’s before heading west into Utah for the remainder of the weekend.
It was a beautiful morning in Ouray, Colorado!
This year the Elite Mixed Climbing Competition course had four boxes strung across the gorge that had to be crossed to reach the end.
The first competitor of the day on the rock and in the shade.
Now transitioning from the rock to the ice and into the sunlight.
A big icicle in the Uncompahgre Gorge.
Looking down on the Ouray Ice Festival from the upper bridge.
Looking up to Twin Peaks.
Hey look! There’s a cow on the ice!
I like how small this ice climber looks in the Uncompahgre Gorge.
Now a closer view.
Hanging out…
One foot on the rock, one foot on the ice and one axe on the tower.
One last view of the mountains above Ouray as I walked back to my Jeep from the festival and started my drive to Utah.
Fabulous photos! I’ve always wanted to go to the festival and see it in person – looks like a great day.
Thanks Lorna! It’s a lot of fun to watch the climbers, even if you aren’t a climber. It’s also a great excuse to visit Ouray in the winter!