Climbing with the Chicks group is intense but not intimidating. Our "intermediate" group, consisting of four gals, including myself, and Caroline George, our leader, started out by reviewing belays and working on basic skills the first day. Traverse drills using one ice tool as well as no tools helps to develop balance over our feet (see top photo).
Another goal in developing balance while climbing is triangulation. The climber staggers the tools, reaches high for placement, then works the feet up to a equilateral triangle stance beneath the upper tool. (See Francine doing this in 2nd from top photo.)
Third from top is a photo I took during Skills Day. We have 8 or 9 ropes set up with various tasks for the 16 participants, overseen by the guides. Kitty Calhoun videotapes us and gives us feedback. Sarah helps with one tool drills and mixed climbs. Margo is our speed climbing diva -- she times & encourages us to get to the top of the pitch. I was fortunate enough to belay Kim Reynolds on a fun, steep climb and get a great visual!
The last photo gives a little bit of an idea about the atmosphere of the canyon. It reminds me a lot of a giant Haffner Creek (up in Kootenay National Park, B.C.). The difference is that the Ice Park is in town and not an hour's drive away. You can't get much more convenient than that!
