Up to 60 of the UK’s top ice and rock climbers will compete at Ice Factor Kinlochleven on Saturday December 17 in the Scottish Mixed Masters – also the final round of the British Tooling Series.
The British Tooling Series requires competitors to climb as fast as possible with ice axes on set routes (problems) using “dry tooling” techniques that simulate winter climbing on rock and ice.
The competition, on walls up to 13 metres, is staged in a knock-out (elimination) format with competitors racing against the clock to reach the top.
Mixed Masters competition at the Ice Factor. Pic credit: Jeff Holmes Photography
Simon Yearsley, a previous Mixed Masters competitor and director of Big Tree Campervans, said: “Competitions like the Scottish Mixed Masters are a great indoor training opportunity for people who want to be able to then get outdoors and tackle mixed climbing routes.
“It’s also a fantastic, inclusive and balanced event in the climbing world for people to take part in the competitive side of the sport.”
He added: “Above all, the Scottish Mixed Masters is fun. It’s an event where you will see some of the UK’s top climbers showing what they can do but also an opportunity for someone to just pick up their ice axes and give indoor mixed climbing a go for the first time in an inclusive, fun and safe environment.”
The competition format will include categories for male, female and youth, with individual results also influencing potential selection for the GB Ice Climbing Team and forthcoming UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup events.
In addition to the £20 entry fee, participants are being encouraged to donate £5 to the climbing charity, Urban Uprising.
Established by long-haul pilot Stuart Green, Urban Uprising is a Scottish charity that through climbing and educational programmes helps to inspire greater confidence in at-risk eight to 18 year olds from deprived areas. It is currently working with kids from the North Ayrshire and the Castlemilk area of Glasgow and has plans to open in Edinburgh next year.
See www.ice-factor.co.uk.