Just returned from my trip to Canada and all I can say is wow!
For those who have not been to the less climbing associated side to Canada, Quebec, it is worth the trip, a flight of less than 6 hours and a time difference of minus 5 hours, flying to Montreal is relatively easy and cheaper.
And with road side ice and bundles of "crags" to be had there is loads to do.
Anyway... my experience of the Festiglace...
The Festiglace, one of the top annual ice-climbing events in North America, and it took place Feb. 16 -18 on the banks of the Jacques-Cartier River in Pont-Rouge, Quebec.
Pont Rouge sits in the middle of what can only be described as a canyon along the Jacques-Cartier River.
Naturally terraced buttes dotted with pine trees and beautifully formed icicles created a spectacular backdrop for the 10th edition of 10th Festiglace du Quebec The North Face.
Visitors to this Tenth edition of the event could brows the stalls of the sponsors, (North Face, Black Diamond, Addidas, Arc’teryx to name but a few!) watch the competition, join workshops, go to lectures from the likes of Louis-Philippe Ménard and Maxime Turgeon, Aljaz Anderle, Mario Dutil and Maxime Jean and Greg Child.
Courses were offered on the site for those who have never tried ice climbing, or simply wish to improve their techniques and there was a massive 10th anniversary party sponsored by Black Diamond!
The level of competition remained high this year with the likes of: Jason Nelson-USA, Boris Bihler-FRANCE, Éric Doiseau-FRANCE, Jeff Mercier-FRANCE, Stéphanie Moreau-FRANCE, Will Mayo-USA, Evgeny Krivosheitcev-UKRAINE, Aljaz Anderle-SLOVENIA, Rob Cordery-Cotter-USA, Guy Lacelle-CANADA, Mathieu Audibert-CANADA, Jonathan Urness-CANADA, Roger Strong, USA, Sam Beaugey, FRANCE, Audrey Gariepy, CANADA
And then there was the amateur speed competition for some fun but also a good time to test your abilities.
All the participants were invited to climb as fast as possible an ice route, possibly the Tube, 30m, grade 5 with the fastest 8 being qualified for the finals which was held on the Sunday – the fastest person doing it in 37 seconds – my effort of 1 min 26seconds didn't see me qualify! – that’s life! And of course I didn’t take it seriously!
Pictures will follow as will a more in depth look at what there is in Quebec other than Pont Rouge.
