It's almost pull down time for City Rock's annual Ice Night in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Taking place Saturday, November 12, the unique indoor ice comp features tool demos, free pizza and beer, as well as a cash purse for competitors including 500 dollars for the first place winner.  The event kicks off at 2:00 p.m. and the pro comp begins at 7:30.  A slideshow by Andres Marin will also take place at the event. Ice Night costs 25 dollars for a day pass or 10 dollars for a comp spectator pass.  To enter the pro comp competitors must complete the qualifying route and pay 25 dollars.

For more information visit www.climbcityrock.com.

Here is a video from last year's event.

Below is a report of 2010's Ice Night results:

Indoor ice comps – next big thing?

By Alison Osius

An indoor competition last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colorado, showcased athleticism, a cash purse, a cheering audience and a beer party. Yet the CityRock Climbing Center event was a bit different from most: If a climber dropped a tool, the tool stayed dropped. Competitors wore gloves and helmets. This was the Pro Indoor Ice Brawl.

An indoor ice-climbing comp is a funny notion, yet perfectly logical, and the UIAA hopes to create a circuit in North America.

Says Brian Gallant, who won the locals’ event on Friday night and was fifth Saturday, “Comp was great! City Rock has held an ice event before and it is always a great turnout and fun. I can't believe this has not caught on more—it's the best crowd pleaser!  I think it would be awesome at the Trade Show in SLC or to start a series here in Colorado!”

Says Terri Parham, co-owner and designer at Iceholdz, an event sponsor, who has been communicating with UIAA officials in Switzerland, “We are also hoping that in the future, the winner will have an automatic invite to the Ouray Ice Festival.”

The event winner, Justin Spain of Albuquerque, intends to compete at Ouray. Other contenders, such as one 19-year-old, were only just learning about various ice-climbing events, or were perhaps talented climbers newly learning to dry tool.

Iceholdz provided ice-like molded holds for the routes. Other holds that look more like regular gym grips but are designed for drytooling were also used. UIAA rules would dictate use of crampons, though with gym owners reluctant to damage their walls, this event used rock shoes instead. Next year it will require crampon use.

The three-day ice fest began on Thursday, November 11, with demos and instruction, and featured a friendly locals’ and rec climbers’ comp on Friday night. The top three finishers in a field of 12 qualified for the pro invitational on Saturday night.

Justin Spain, a rock and ice climber and backcountry skier who guides for Beverly Mountain Guides, Albuquerque, walked away with the win and $250, David Nickel of Colorado Springs took second and $150, and Canmore, Alberta’s, Gord McArthur was third for $100.

Some women participated on Friday night, although none on Saturday.

This was the fourth year CityRock has held the event, but the first year in its new location, formerly a theatre, creating ideal viewing.

The few venues in this country to host similar events include the Portland Rock Gym in Portland, Oregon, and Cranmore Climbing Wall, North Conway, NH, as part of the Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest.  

A portion of CityRock proceeds went to the Catamount Institute (http://www.catamountinstitute.org) for ecological stewardship.

Pro Comp Results
1    Justin Spain    Albuquerque, NM    Sect 3, 4:20
2     David Nickel     Colorado Springs, CO     Sect 3, 4:25
3     Gordon McArthur     Canmore, BC, Canada    Sect 3, 5:54
4     Marc Beverly     Albuquerque,NM     Sect 3, 6:09
5     Brian Gallant     Colorado Springs, CO     Sect 3, 5:47, 2nd attempt
6     Andres Marin     Grand Junction, CO     Sect 2, last hold, 4:15
7     Kurt Ross     Colorado Springs, CO     Sect 2, 1:50
8     Daniel Battin     Colorado Springs, CO     Sect 2, 3:19
9     Matt McKinley     Colorado Springs, CO     Sect 1, 1:16