This past winter at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the UIAA (International Alpine Association) put on an ice climbing demonstration. In 2022 the UIAA hopes that ice climbing will make its debut in the Olympics as an official event. Currently the groundwork for the future Canadian Olympic Team is being built by a few individuals. While there have been big advances in the last two years, North America is still trailing behind the rest of the World in this growing sport and we need your help to keep making progress.

This winter Nathan Kutcher will be representing Canada for the third year as member of the National Ice Climbing Team. This will be the first year for his wife Rebecca Lewis on the National Team. Despite being some of North America's best ice/mixed climbers, neither is a “professional climber” and they support themselves from outside the climbing industry. Both are heavily involved with the local climbing community and want to see climbing grow responsibly. They feel that competing on a world scale is important to the development of climbing in North America. As an organized activity it gives positive exposure and helps to validate climbing to the non-climbing public. Public support and good public perception can have implications for things such as climbing access throughout North America.

In Bozeman right now, ice fest is just kicking off. Prelims lake place this Friday!

16 American, 6 Canadian men.
6 American, 5 Canadian women.

44 men total, 19 women. Some very good competitors coming from overseas. Hopefully NA will put in a good showing!