Ice Factor
Ice-Factor – 5th December
Round 5 – Ice Factor, Kinlochleven
Anna Wells - In the Finals
Is there a better venue to host the final event of the series and the Grand Prize Giving? I would have to answer no. The Ice Factor maybe a challenge to get to compared to most but that is nothing new for climbers. We travel miles to get a good days climbing in and that is exactly what we got at the Ice Factor. Well done to Jamie and his team and guest celebrity route setter Andy Turner.
Out of a potential 60 competitors, there were 59 entries. A superb turnout. The fact it was the Series Prize Giving also meant we had lots of extra supporters including Anna Wells grand-parents who were great fun and were happy to wear helmets so they could get the best view of their grand-daughter in the final. Flying axes were not going to put them off!
5 hours of climbing flew by but left most of us with arms a bit longer than we started with. There were 2 routes on the outside of the building, 3 in the ice room and then a variety of top roped and bouldering problems. As has always been the case, the Series has encouraged the route setters to fulfil the needs of novice intermediate and super talented climbers. This is not an easy task but time and again we walk away feeling amazed that the whole cross-section of the competitors feel they got exactly what they came for. Brilliant!
The finals had all the tension and noise effects that any good final should have. Loads of ‘go on!!’ ‘ ohhhhhhhhhh’ and
‘ahhhhhhhs’. There were some amazing gymnastic diplays and some cracking falls and all ending with smiles. We needed to have a super final too for a couple of the categories and when we thought they could give no more, they had to come and perform. They didn’t disappoint and managed to get higher than most of us could get when we were feeling fresh. Dylan McKenzie and Steve Addison (Jnr Male) both came up to Andy Turner still buzzing with adrenalin to thank him for setting such a fantastic Jnr Final route. The female finalists were less grateful as the hanging log proved too big an obstacle for all three hence the super final. Anna Wells managed to find enough energy to take the first place for the day. Great performance.
The male vets and male sports were as unpredictable as ever. Steve Johnston only just got into the final in 5th position and then proceeded to win the event in outstanding style. Rhudidh McKenzie is the reason I am not scared of being over 50. His agility was outstanding and he took away first prize.
Results online here!
The last event of the series where the series winners will be announced.
NB: Change to time below:
Arrive for 08.30 registration for a briefing at 09.00. The competition will start as close to 09.00 as possible.
Booking in advance is recommended.
Tel: 01855831100
Some routes will be on the indoor ice wall so competitors must bring crampons and warm clothing.
Scoring:
Scoring may vary slightly from venue to venue but generally all competitors will have 3 attempts at each route…10 points for completion on first attempt
… 7 points for completion on second attempt
… 5 points for completion on third attempt
For longer routes; specifically at the ice-factor on ice routes, only one attempt is permitted. Points will be awarded for height gained.
Completion… 10 points
Zone 2… 7 points
Zone 1… 5 points
