01/31/2023
The Ouray Ice Festival at Ouray Ice Park is about way more than just climbing, competing, and new gear. It's also about learning, sharing, opportunity, community, and celebration. We had the opportunity to get to personally know more of the Full Circle Everest team and to hear your amazing stories. Shoutout to Phil Henderson for your ongoing outdoor leadership efforts with Full Circle Expeditions - increasing diversity and opportunity in the outdoors to include the highest mountains. Also shoutout to Conrad Anker for supporting this effort and others like it, and coming out to the ice fest - it was a pleasure to meet you. Also props to Will Gadd for your informative fireside chat.
There was also lots of hands on climbing learning going on. There were great clinics, but there was also climbing support going on at the kids wall for new climbers, and we pitched in to setup routes and belay and coach in Between the Bridges and Scottish gullies for those that were ready for lowering into the canyon and climbing up and out. That's a little intimidating at first, but so rewarding. Awesome to see so many firsts.
Our mission at Linkup Point is to increase sports and recreation participation and progression for all. We're a public benefit company to stay focused on that. We feel like kindred spirits with these non-profits creating opportunity for all in the outdoors. On that note, shoutout to Ouray Ice Park, Always Choose Adventures , Neguse in Nature, The American Alpine Club, Friends of CAIC, and the San Juan Mountains Association for what you do for outdoor opportunity and stewardship, and reaching out here at the Ice Fest.
And finally, the parties....yes no climbing festival would be complete without the climber parties. Had a blast at the Miami vice pool party and the teenage dirtbag dance party...only at a climbing festival, lol. Great time to let loose and celebrate.
