NEice.com Soup Kitchen

NEICE.COM is coming to the 2009 MWV Ice Fest with the NEice Soup Kitchen! On Saturday & Sunday during the "apres climb" hour at IME (4:30-5:30pm) NEice.com will be serving two large pots of soup. One will be vegetarian, plus lots of good bread and cheese! So after climbing stop by IME for a pint and a bowl of soup! See you there!

Kevin Mahoney's Slideshow Night!

Here's the scoop on Kevin's slideshow next Friday the 6th of February!
It's gonna be a blast with Freddie Wilkinson being our MC, and Tuckerman's Brewery supplying tasty beverages for everyone who is of age. Yeah!

The American Alpine Club Heats up Ice Fest

Did you hear about the Craggin' Classic or the International Climbers Meet that happened out west this past fall? Well, let's just say the folks over at the American Alpine Club know how to throw a good party. We're delighted to have two of the AAC's extraordinary staffers--Brittany Griffith and Dana Richardson---here for Ice Fest 2009 to liven things up.

Stop by the AAC booth at the International Mountain Equipment shop every morning of Ice Fest for some hot coffee while you peruse the gear demo, then make sure you come by in the afternoon during cocktail hour... they won't disappoint.

Be sure to bring your AAC membership card to all evening events! All AAC members, new and existing, get in to the Friday-night slide show for half off (that's only $5) and they get into the Saturday-night dance party for FREE!

We ♥ Zoe Hart!

Zoe doing her thing at a spindrift belay on the Trophy Wall in the Canadian Rockies.

We are very excited that Patagonia is sending out Zoe Hart for the 2009 Ice Fest. Originally an east coaster, she is now based out of Chamonix. In her backyard this lady has access to get after it whether it's rock, ice, or snow. Her true passion is alpine climbing and she travels the world to play in the mountains. Additionally, Zoe just darn right rocks! This lady knows how to swing a tool and keeps you smiling all day long!

Her favorite climbs include:
1. North East Couloir on the Dru, Chamonix France
2. Deprivation on Mont Hunter, Alaska
3. Overcouloir on the Brenva Face Mont Blanc Range France
4. Ham and Eggs, Mooses Tooth Alaska
5. Nettle Quirk Mt Huntington Alaska

Sign up to climb with her at the Ice Fest or join us for the festivities to hang out! We're so psyched for you to get out here Zoe!

Zoe heading up the second ice band on Deprivation, Mount Hunter, Alaska.

The Beta: Ice Holdz Climbers Face-Off

Hulk Hogan says "You ready for these guns?" He's gettin' psyched for the Climbers-Face Off!!! Photo by Cormac Cordery-Cotter, and Ice Holdz athlete/Hulk Hogan look alike, Rob Cordery-Cotter.

When: Friday, Feb. 6th
Where: Cranmore Climbing Wall, North Conway, NH
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Official Start: After Kevin Mahoney's slideshow
Route Setter: Will Mayo
Featured Sponsor: Ice Holdz

The Climbers Face-Off Beta:
- "Face-Offers": Five "Ice Fest Pro" climbers, Five "Ice Fest Joey" climbers, & one Wild Card climber.
- There will be a box for people to put their names into when they first come at 7pm to have a chance to be an "Ice Fest Joey".
- You may only put your name in once into the box.
- Suggested "Ice Fest Joey" prerequisites: Climb at least M8 on lead.
- We will choose five lucky "Joey's" out of the box after Kevin Mahoney's slideshow.
- Will Mayo will show one attempt/demonstration to all the "Face-Offers".
- All "Face-Offers" turn around and suit up in harness and shoes (shoe's are TBA could be climbing shoes, could be sorrel boots- hey, it's NH right?)
- All "Face-Offers" will twiddle their thumbs while the sending and failing happens behind them.
- Each "Face-Offer" gets only one attempt at the route.
- Each "Face-Offer" must use the provided tools.
- Helmets must be worn.
- Tools will be sharpened when needed.
- There will be 2 official judges.
- There is a 10 minute limit to climb the route.
- The "Face-Offer" to get the highest or to complete the route wins.
- In the event of a tie.....TBA.
- Prize: $100 cash, & bunch o'stuff from our sponsors!

Get psyched! Start training! Come watch! Don't miss it!


Will Mayo at the 2009 Ouray Ice Fest and our 2009 MWV Ice Fest route setter! Have you met Will? In a nutshell, he rocks! John Evans Photography

Nick Yardley: Living the American Dream

Nick Yardley showing how he gets it done with help from Doritos & B&J ice cream.

Nick arrived in the States from his home land of England in 86, with two back packs and $500 in his pocket. He's been chasing the American dream with ice axes in hand ever since. From 86 to 95 Nick worked as the head guide and part owner of IMCS and vaguely remembers running the very first ever Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest. He used to think that climbing on Ben Nevis was a cold and miserable until he experienced his first New England winter and realized what cold and suffering really was - and yes he loves it! He learned to quickly to consume B&J ice cream and Doritos in the winter months to build up the much need insulation required for climbing around New England in the winter. Both food items he feels will go down in the history books as two of the finest additions America has made to the world community.

While Nick has been fortunate enough to climb and guide around the world including Alaska, Nepal, Peru and the Alps, he still feels that New England has some of the best rock and ice climbing to be found any where on the planet. Today he is an AMGA certified rock guide and still greatly enjoys whacking ice and takes great pleasure in helping others develop an uncontrollable addiction to this very strange sport.

Sign up to climb with Nick through IMCS before things fill up!
We can't wait for this guy to get here!

From The Eastside: Emilie Drinkwater

Outdoor Research athlete and AMGA certified guide, Emily Drinkwater will be joining the 2009 Ice Fest. This awesome lady was born and raised in New Hampshire (yeah!), and discovered climbing when she was studying at St. Lawrence University. Now she is a full time climbing guide and on the side she has completed three Ironman triathlons! Her personal favorite climbs include Polar Circus and the Weeping Wall (Canadian Rockies), Moonlight Buttress (Zion), South face of the South Troll Wall (Alaska), and of course the many outstanding back country routes on Wallface in the Adirondacks. We are so stoked this lady will be with us to guide and hang at the festivities!

Quick Update

Hi Folks---
Just wanted to let everyone know that we've updated the Ice Fest schedule page. The clinics are getting booked, so call the climbing school now to reserve your spot!

We Love Tuckerman's!

We are happy to announce again this year that Tuckerman's Brewery is one of our wonderful sponsors at the 2009 IMCS Ice Fest! You can grab a pint at the Apres Climbing Hour during the Ice Fest, which is Friday through Sunday from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuckerman's will also be available during Kevin Mahoney's slideshow and The Climbers Face Off on Friday evening. Let's give three cheers to Tuckerman's Brewery! And drop em' a line and tell them how cool they are!

Look Out 4 Dean Lords!

We're pumped! Dean Lords is coming out here thanks to Mammut! He first started climbing back in 1988, and his been addicted ever since. His home base is Idaho, but his travels have taken him world wide to scale rock and ice. His favorite thing is to be in the mountains getting on technical mixed terrain. You think he'll like Canon? He has taught ice clinics out west and now he makes his way to North Conway to share his knowledge and skills. Sign up to climb with Dean or be sure to talk shop with him at the Apres Climbing Hour (4:30-5:30pm, Fri-Sun) @ IME during the Ice Fest.

Dean Lords on White Line Couloir M5/6 in Peak 11,308 - Lost River Range, Idaho


Dean getting it done on The Ghost WI5 in Grand Teton National Park.

Miss Majka

Photo by: Bruce Kirkby

Meet Majka Burhart. She is one of the awesome guest guides for the 2009 Ice Fest. This lady does it all, and sends too! She is a writer, climber, and an AMGA certified Rock Guide. She has been guiding rock, ice, and alpine terrain since 1998, and now you can hang with her too! She'll be at the Ice Fest guiding and attending the festivities. Fun stuff!

Her top five ascents are:
1. Imje Tse, solo, Nepal, 1998
2. Resurrection Des Roses, March 2005, 5.12c, Teghie Lisce, Corsica 2004
3. Learning the Hard Way, 5.10+, III, First Ascent, Tigray, Ethiopia 2006
4. Armageddon Time, December 2007, 5.11+, V, Du Toits Kloof, South Africa
5. And finally, while learning how to become a Northeastern Ice Climber: Omega, WI5+, IV, Cannon Cliff, NH, 2008.

To see what she's up to check out her blog, The Liminal Line, and also her most recent book, Vertical Ethiopia.

Majka Burhart gracefully making her way up a lil' bit o' rock and a lil' bit o' ice!