Climbers are flocking from around the
U.S. and Canada for the 15th annual
Bozeman Ice Fest. Four days of on-ice
clinics will be held in Hyalite Canyon,
south of Bozeman, including a special
ladies day on Friday.
On Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., festival
goers will convene at the Emerson
Cultural Center in Bozeman for multimedia
presentations from ice climbing’s
greatest characters.
“Genesis” will premier Friday night: A
celebration of 40 years of ice climbing
in Hyalite, the film features Montana
legends Pat Callis and Chad Chadwick
repeating Callis’s classic route Genesis II,
with Bozeman climber Pat Wolfe using
vintage gear from the 1971 first ascent.
In the film, Yvon Chouinard discusses
inventing the modern ice axe.
Special guest Jeff Lowe will introduce a
film on his 1974 first ascent of Bridalveil
Falls, near Telluride, Colo. This rare footage
documents the ascent that ushered in
the era of modern ice climbing. Also, the
legendary Henry Barber will share his
perspective on how the hardest ice and
mixed routes of the 1970s influenced
the world.
Other guests include Barry Blanchard,
one of the most prolific ice and alpine
climbers of his generation, and
Kitty Calhoun, who’s climbed some of
America’s steepest ice.
On Saturday evening, local pioneer Kris Erickson will
recount the milestone first ascent of Hyalite’s Winter
Dance by his mentor the great Alex Lowe, and the first
free ascent made with Whit Magro a decade later.
Three videos representing the cutting edge will also
premier that night, including one featuring adventure
sports phenomenon Will Gadd, and another
from Bozeman’s own Max Lowe.
Beer from Big Sky Brewing, and food and drink will
be served by the Emerson Grill. Proceeds fund the
Hyalite road plowing effort. Don’t miss the enormous
gear raffles. Evening tickets on sale at
bozemanicefestival.com.
