ResulTs PhoTo GaLLeRy

Gadd wins

CRESTED BUTTE -- The two alpiners from Alberta took the top of the ice wall today with largely different tactics. They were the only ones to top out above the plastic wall near the top of this massive X-sicle. The strikes (amount of times a climber hits his axe in the ice before it holds) were against Raphael Slawinski and Will Gadd took the win completely exhausted.

"This was a really good route. I couldn't tell what was up there. It wasn't the best way to get up there, but it was my way," Will said grinning. The overall combination of ice and sport climbing took its toll on the competition here today.

""Don't f*&! around on the ice" was the quote that stuck..."

Slawinski proved his smooth style by attacking the ice straight up. He came to the overhanging obstacle with holds and kept going straight. Three hand holds and he was back on ice and looking at only several strikes against him.

Stevie Haston

Many a fearless climber followed, but none could realize the route once the ice stopped and the hand holds began. Seung-Kwon Chung from Seoul, Korea didn't realize he could use his axe in the center hole of the hand holds and lost his energy attempting to hang on with his hands while he figured it out. Jared Ogden had a good look but not a strong hold and it gave out while he was inspecting an escape above. He did however pull off a sick figure four, hang forever and throw a thumbs up to the crowd before letting go.

Then Will Gadd stepped up with a chaulk bag on his harness. He knew he would have to be inventive to get over the wall. He dropped his gloves at the climbing section, hung his axe on the edge of a hold and pulled sideways for support. Then with a few uncomfortable moves, made his way above the overhang and on top. Will won in the end with less strikes against him than Raphael.

Travis Spitzer got Will's chaulk bag, but couldn't transfer it onto the wall.

"Don't f*&! around on the ice" was the quote that stuck. The ability to climb the ice with stature and composure was unparalleled. It was the overhang of plastic that stopped everyone in thier tracks. Nobody could see the solution when allowed to look before returning to isolation until their attempt. The crowd loved it and nobody could walk by this spectacle in the sky with some guy twisting himself up the side. Can't wait for the women..

— Hans Prosl practicing alchemy for The Mountain Zone