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- Dec 22, 2011
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Ouray Waterfall Ice
MM Guide Matt Barela just finished our first waterfall ice climbing trip in Ouray. Here are some some words and photos to whet your appetite for the winter season. Sharpen your tools, tighten your harness, and bring your puffy jacket…it’s ice climbing season! Jeremy Allyn, North America Program Director
“I had a chance this weekend to spend a great couple of days with Jonathan and Jon, a couple of college buddies who had not seen each other for 6 years. They made it out here to Ouray, Colorado for the opening weekend of the Ouray Ice Park. This year’s opening was made great due to cold temps and a new ice farmer who knows a ton about making ice.
Matt Barela photo
“We started our day in an area called the Trussel which is a great place to freshen up some ice skills and learn new ones. Jon had spent some time in the Alps climbing ice and Jonathan was completely new to ice. Both guys proved to be solid right off the start and we quickly made our way to The Verminator which is a steep WI4 route in a great setting in the park. After The Verminator we made our way to an area called South Park which we used to keep working on our foundational skills and to introduce ice screws and how to build ice anchors. We ended the day feeling great!
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=839fe838a9c49da0f8bae888d35ae8d8 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=e2e674d8223fef7fb49851c76f05aee0 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=dd64a939191e2ef7203db2ef73ea8c20 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=1304d3e69d25d4c7a2620bed11a2d344 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=1dbcd57ed3eebbc5a5c87d45320882c3 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=e9bb2dde632de5e59184a8f880c915c5 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=7f58f37646ecca47000f28f656f523fc 768w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2Fnewswire%2Fouray2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=fe114937d94e59e08846650616310138 768w)
Matt Barela photo
“Day 2 we set ourselves up in an area called the schoolroom and made use of the area as we ran laps up climbs from WI3‑5. Jon and Jonathan both brought their A‑game on this day as they quickly made progress into great looking steep ice climbers. Jonathan spent parts of the afternoon learning to lead as he had lots of lead experience on rock. Towards the end of the day we went over v‑threads and got ready for Jonathan to lead his first ice climb. We went to the end of the school room and Jonathan sent in great style. It was a jam packed couple of days and the guys nailed it. Thanks for a couple of great days guys — I look forward to getting out there some more.”
~ MM Guide Matt Barela
Matt Barela photo