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Any interest in an Alaskan Ice Festival in Valdez

Original Post
Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

hey there gang.
I live in AK and there are legends of an awesome ice festival that used to happen every year in Valdez (the ice mecca) of AK. tons of HUGE ice climbs 1 minute from the car.

If people were to organize something non official, free to the public, with a few bands, perhaps some cheap beer, and maybe a slideshow or two, would anyone here be interested? Would you consider coming up to Alaska for a weekend?

I'm gauging interest to see if I should start planning an awesome ice climbing party and resurrect an old tradition.

phil wortmann · · Colorado Springs, Co. · Joined Feb 2005 · Points: 1,186

Hell yeah, what month do you think would be best?

Taylor-B. · · Valdez, AK · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 3,186

Yes, yes, yes! Blue ice, booze and bon-fires! I'll talk to some of my connections at the Bush Co. for some apre entertainment.

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

I was thinking second or third week in February. Days are getting longer, Presidents Day weekend gives us a definite three day weekend.

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

Cool, there is a lot of interest locally and nationally so I think i will go ahead and start planning.

Think big ice by day, awesome bands, slideshows and movies at night.

This will be fun.

February 15-17

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Making plans to attend! Can't wait to get back and climb in Alaska.

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

Right on! We are in the early planning stages. We will keep updating here and on other forums as the event draws nearer.

travis mcalpine · · eagle river, ak · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 170

Been wanting to do the same. Spent alot of time there last year. Let's talk.

Roots · · Wherever I am · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 20

Always wanted to climb Valdez ice!

Can't make it this year as I'll be in NH climbing their ice about the same time, but hopefully you will make this an anual event.

Please let us know how it goes...

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Bought airline tickets last night. Can't wait.

Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

Any chicks going? I'm trying to Alaskan thunder fuck some ice bunnies.

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

We are working on a website, but for the moment search facebook for the "Valdez Ice Climbing Festival." Updates and info there.

Our in town base operations will be at a great bar/restaurant called the Fat Mermaid. We are currently organizing clinics and slideshows.

Dan McCabe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 5

I haven't been to one since 1982, but might show up for the memories....and ice!!!!

NateSkains · · Anchorage, Ak · Joined May 2011 · Points: 110

Clint i will be there, also count me in if u need any help organizing it. Shoot me a message on FB if you need help!

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

awesome, thanks! we plan to have a website launched soon. Lots of stuff being done behind the scenes, but its happening and is going to be a great time!

clint

Daniel Kryger · · wanship, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 10

Sounds cold! How do you get the rope to the top? But in all reality miss that festival.

Scott O · · Anchorage · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 70

Wish I could go. I remember reading about this as a kid in Eiger Dreams

Rob Cotter · · Silverthorne, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 240

Most definitely particularly if you organize an OPEN competition speed & lead...

Nick Weicht · · Valdez, AK · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 41,393

The Lowe River started draining its self. DOT is blasting today and tomorrow on the hill then will probably start plowing after that if the lake keeps draining. Road may very well be open in one week but a lot of that depends on mother nature. The river is wide open in Keystone Canyon and nearly all the Ice has melted out. I’m going to check out the Valdez Glacier today and there is still the mixed wall along with a few other crags that will have survived this fucked up year. I am still going to put on a little festival here over presidents day weekend regardless of the (Damalanch) and see what happens.

Josh Hutch · · State of Jefferson · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 90
nickclimbak wrote:The Lowe River started draining its self. DOT is blasting today and tomorrow on the hill then will probably start plowing after that if the lake keeps draining. Road may very well be open in one week but a lot of that depends on mother nature. The river is wide open in Keystone Canyon and nearly all the Ice has melted out. I’m going to check out the Valdez Glacier today and there is still the mixed wall along with a few other crags that will have survived this fucked up year. I am still going to put on a little festival here over presidents day weekend regardless of the (Damalanch) and see what happens.
Thank you very much for the update! Hopefully I will be making the trip up from California as long as the predicted weather holds. If you hear anything else could you keep us updated? Thanks and I really appreciate it!
Nick Weicht · · Valdez, AK · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 41,393

It sounds like the road will be open in a week and there is still a weekends worth of stuff to do around here between the glacier and the mixed. I'm still going ahead with the festival in Valdez, it will just have a different twist due to this seasons conditions. Once again, if anyone is already commited and wants to have a good time the offer is still out there. Come rock out in Valdez and we'll have a great time this presidents day weekend. It will be full of fun and adventure, but lacking in waterfall ice.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Pacific Northwest
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