2005 ARC’TERYX CANMORE ICE CLIMBING FESTIVAL

March 3 to 6

Presented by Devonian Properties

If it’s winter, then it’s ice climbing season in the Canadian Rockies, and that means it’s time for the seventh annual Canmore Ice Climbing Festival to take place right in downtown Canmore Alberta, from March 3 to 6, 2005.

Amidst a backdrop of snow coated rocky mountain peaks, the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival features a 15-metre tall man made ice wall at Devonian Properties’ Canmore Crossing location where veteran competitors and first time tool swingers hook, kick and climb up a vertical ice curtain, entertaining spectators and each other all weekend.

The Canmore Ice Climbing Festival kicks off with the audience favourite indoor dry-tooling competition at Canmore’s Vsion climbing gym on Thursday, March 3, followed by Friday night’s Best Epics slide show featuring wild climbing adventures by Canmore’s resident world class ice and mixed masters.

In addition to the Devonian Ice Wall, the CICF’s downtown site will feature manufacturers’ booths with gear for beginners and the latest in leashless tools and fruit boots available for demo throughout the weekend. Several ice and mixed skills clinics will also take place on Friday and Saturday in some of the area’s prime ice climbing canyons dripping with frozen pillars and curtains, taught by some of North America’s top climbers.

Then on Saturday and Sunday the action will be at the Devonian Ice Wall with the fast and furious Speed Challenge and Kayland Cup Mixed competitions, plus an avalanche transceiver practice, ice carving demonstrations and face painting for the kids. Saturday night will feature the unforgettable Ambler dance party.

After taking a year off, Mike Meilicke, owner of Canmore’s Gear Up Sports has taken back ownership of the festival he founded in 1999.

“I am really excited about it. I had a good year off and I’m ready to jump back in,” Meilicke said, adding that the 2005 CICF will honour its grass-roots beginnings with ice wall routes aimed toward intermediate level climbers, but with competitions guaranteed to challenge the pros. As one of North America’s top ice climbing festivals, the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival attracts dozens of world-class climbers who compete on the international circuit.

For more information, visit the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival website at www.canmoreiceclimbingfestival.com