Ice Climbing

So, Hunny is a leader in our church's Young Men's group. For one of their big activities they planned on going ice climbing. Hunny asked me if I had any plans for the Saturday they were going. I told him I didn't think so and he told me good, and that I was going with him. Awesome! I didn't know I could do that. Not sure even now if I could, but I did.

After the youth met and cleaned the church Saturday morning, the Young Men and I met together and went down to the subway for a few stops before we took the bus the rest of the hour's way. Yeah, it was way out in the middle of no where. The wall was inside a climbing and camping store. On the main floor is a window that you can see a bit of the wall. Down below, on the B3 floor was where we start. We got our gear and thankfully we got a nice thermal jacket. At -10C, no amount of my clothes would protect me. I was terrified. I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold. With boots, harness and helmet on we all went into the meat locker.

The instructor told us that we would first get the opportunity to try a small wall first and then he would tell us what we needed to know. We all got our chance and we all made it to the top. I did a barn door swoop open because I got off balance. When we had all had our turn, the instructor told us that we all climbed like we were rock climbing and that ice climbing is not rock climbing. The technique for ice climbing makes it easier and uses less energy. We were taught the proper way and then had to practice a bit before going on the 5-story wall. The instructor told us that his building and wall was the official Guinness Book of Records tallest indoor ice wall. Awesome, I know.

Five stories is quiet tall. I was only able to make it up about 1 1/2 maybe 2, but then the wall slants out a little  instead of straight up making it significantly more difficult. But Hunny and some others  were able to make it to the top, twice!

Even though I couldn't get up very far it was super fun! I felt intense and hard core climbing straight up this wall of pure ice. Let me just shove my poky shoes in this wall and tap my pick ax in and hoist myself up. I felt like I was in a movie or something doing a crazy stunt. I could definitely see ice climbing as being a super cool hobby. "Oh so what are you doing this week end?" "Me? Oh, ah.., I'm just gonna go ICE CLIMBING!" I mean besides you having to be beast to beat the cold, but you get a pretty nice work out and the feel of success every time you pull yourself higher. It is pretty cool repelling down too since that has been the only time I've gotten to.

Ice Climbing is just all around awesome and I hope we will be able to go again sometime. Maybe in the summer when we need somewhere to cool down. :p