Closeup view of IceHoldz, Photo courtesy IceHoldz
Denver ice climbers get strong swinging their tools indoors to prep for ice climbing outdoors. CityRock Monument, CityRock Colorado Springs and The Alpine Training Center in Boulder all utilize IceHoldz, giving athletes a chance to swing their tools just as if they were on real waterfall ice. These unique climbing holds are specifically designed to mimic the feel of ice and withstand hundreds of hits with ice climbing tools.
*For a deeper dive on IceHoldz read my previous column.
For those of you curious about how an indoor rock climbing gym accommodates ice climbing here’s the scoop.
According to Joe Groshong a majority owner of CityRock Monument and CityRock Colorado Springs they set six indoor ice climbing routes at each location. The route configurations are changed periodically and the routes remain climbable November through February. With 37-foot high walls at CityRock Monument and 45-foot walls at CityRock Colorado Springs there’s ample vert to get your forearm pump on.
CityRock ice climbing standards
1.) Climbers must pass a belay test and the ice climbing routes are strictly top-rope only.
2.) Both the climber and the belayer must wear helmets with safety face shields.
3.) The climber’s ice tools must have leashes.
4.) The ice tools adze or hammer must be covered with a tennis ball.
5.) Climbers wear their rock climbing shoes when ascending the routes (no crampons).
6.) The gyms’ ice climbing areas are coned off separating the space from adjacent rock climbing routes.
The Alpine Training Center
At the Alpine Training Center in Boulder, athletes wear their helmets and boots or tennis shoes while swinging their ice tools forcefully into the gym’s IceHoldz woody. Athletes work the short wall unroped with ample bouldering pads beneath them. Coach Connie Sciolino designs training sessions to specifically build strength and durability for ice climbers.
While this isn’t a traditional climbing gym, it is a place where Front Rangers can get seriously strong. Veteran ice climber Kevin Craig attributes his recent M6/6+ lead to the time he’s put in training specifically for ice climbing at The Alpine Training Center.
Town of Breckenridge
The Town of Breckenridge has IceHoldz. No further information was available. The climbing wall director was unavailable for comment.
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For more information:
CityRock Monument
16240 Old Denver Road
Monument, CO 80132
Phone: 719-481-9099
Email: info@climbingtherock.com
CityRock Colorado Springs
21 N. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-634-9099
Email: info@climbingtherock.com
The Alpine Training Center
1840 Commerce Street
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303-859-4579
Email: Connie Sciolino
Town of Breckenridge
880 Airport Road
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: 970-453-2251
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