RANGELY | In high altitude locations, such as Rangely and much of Colorado, ice climbing and mountaineering sports attract enthusiasts year-round. The activity requires training to become familiar with the terrain, tools and techniques necessary for safety and enjoyment while exploring. At Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC), the administration encourages a learning experience that allows instructors to pursue their quirky interests whenever possible, as long as it is relevant to their educational goals.
KATIE KING PHOTO
Passionate about ice climbing, biology instructor Todd Ward teamed up with outdoor coordinator Mark McLaughlin to build an ice climbing tower before and during his tenure at CNCC. The tower is accessible to students, faculty and community members on special days. Before creating the local structure for students, instructors organized annual trips to Ouray and Lake City for students to experience the sport of ice climbing. The challenges of getting to the destination and teaching students how to “gear up” inspired the instructors to design a training tool to learn and practice skills before arriving at an ice park, thus allowing for more time to enjoy the experience.:
The ice tower at CNCC began with a 12×12 frame welded by a lab tech from the campus metal scrap. There have been three variations of the tower, each improving on the previous construction and engineering. The second tower was a 23-foot tall former radio tower that stood behind the Cramer building. It served its role for five years until the team created a hinge base designed and welded together to support an old but newer radio tower. This tower was built in its current location behind the Weiss Gymnasium. The hinge base allows for easier tower maintenance, including using a winch instead of a crane on individual segments instead of separating the whole structure. The tower was also procured from the campus scrap. The towers incur compression damage from the ice every year, and the second tower was replaced about eight years ago with the one currently in use. The third iteration is two sizes up from the prior one and still uses the hinge base.
Another challenge Ward helped overcome was obtaining proper equipment to climb the ice tower. Around 2007-2008, Ouray Mountain Sports sold off their old rental packages of climbing gear, and CNCC procured the sets, providing accessibility to necessary equipment for those desiring to climb. The current gear packages do not include body harnesses, the only limit to supporting child climbers. Similar to skiing and other sports, as soon as a child can wear equipment properly, they can participate and engage in the sport.
Ward typically teaches the introduction to ice climbing course that earns one credit. Students meet twice a week with a long weekend trip at the end of the course to practice their new abilities. The course familiarizes students with the equipment and techniques necessary for climbing and respect for the environment they will occupy. Once they have mastered the fundamentals, they can begin experimenting with different mental challenges, such as increasing their climbing time or improving their strength in various techniques. The mental game of the sport can be the most challenging for some, especially those with acrophobia, or fear of heights. Ward is not teaching the course this year but offers time for interested participants to climb. The course curriculum also addresses proper attire for weather conditions. Proper attire can make a huge difference in the experience and becomes a critical safety component when climbers are outside in bitter conditions. Ward explained that when the class prepares and travels for the full ice climbing experience, the weather conditions are unpredictable, and climbers need to prepare accordingly. Different materials layered together, along with exercising the body’s large muscle groups while stationary help to keep the climber’s body temperature regulated.
The production of ice on the tower no longer includes the use of snowmax or ice nucleators. It is totally temperature dependent. Weather conditions dictate the success of a tower. Ward described how the sun could change and sublimate the ice even at a low temperature of 10 degrees. Since 2023 began, no additional water has been added to the existing structure because natural conditions have supported the beginning efforts of watering. The typical water used to produce a functioning ice tower is equivalent to a 100×100-foot lawn. (Which is a little in the grand scheme of watering). The science of ice is a significant part of the experience. Formed ice feels different at 20 degrees than 10 degrees, and new ice reacts differently to the impact of the climbing tools than old ice.
Ward would love to see an ice park in Rangely, but added it is a “pipe dream for those of us who have ideas for ‘how to build a better ice tower’ running through our heads at night” to align the necessary personnel and resources effectively and responsibly.
The ice climbing tower at Rangely CNCC campus is another unique gem that makes Rangely “way outside of ordinary.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
