Hardwear Sessions

I rappelled into the gorge as the butterflies took flight in my stomach. This was the moment I had been preparing for and I had never felt more ready to send. The route started with about 40 feet of WI4. I methodically made my way up the ice, using this as my time to relax and get the jitters out. As I climbed out of the gorge, I could hear my music that I had put together. I heard a few lines of "bringing sexy back", and my energy began to surge. I was rocking to the tunes and feeling the sending mojo. The crowd was electric and roaring with cheers. I made my way up the business of the route, finding the holds for my picks and working my feet. I got a few draws out, and the route got real steep. I made my last clip, and realized that my tool was slipping from my shoulder. I recovered it, and tried to work my feet so that I could advance upward. My feet then blew and I was out. My high point was reached and I was hanging from the rope.

As soon as I lowered down to the river I started to celebrate. I was so happy and giddy it was insane. I had no idea how I had finished, but I had felt amazing while climbing. I felt like I was flowing and climbing strong. Bill Whit, ice park president and comp judge, met me at the base of the route and he believed that I had at least earned a place on the podium. Full of excitement, I then began to climb the exit route to the top of the gorge. I was met by friends who hugged me, and gave cheers of congratulations. The celebration and partying was about to begin.

As I walked home from the park, I called my sister to tell her of the news. While on the phone I received a voicemail. It was Bill Whit, personally calling to congratulate me on my first place finish. Once I heard the message, I ran around my house like the girl from little miss sunshine. I screamed and danced with excitement. I could not believe the reality of the situation. I won, but I could not believe it.

Saturday night the Petzl dance party went off the hook. It was the party that I had asked for. I wanted to have a crazy dance party to celebrate and I got it. My training partners and I danced and partied down with the other competitors and the rest of the ice festival attendees. It was a great way to top the amazing day.

Now that the dust has settled, the whole experience seems so surreal. It is as if the festival was a dream. As I walk down the quite sidewalks of Ouray, the dreamy feeling is validated. Town is still town, my dog is still my dog, and I still had to go to work. The only thing I tangibly have to prove that the event happened and that I won first place, is my glass trophy. It is now time to return to life as usual here in the quite town of Ouray, however I will continue to smile and celebrate this dream come true.