Round 5 – Ice Factor, Kinlochleven

Is there a better venue to host the final event of the series and the Grand Prize Giving? I would have to answer no. The Ice Factor maybe a challenge to get to compared to most but that is nothing new for climbers. We travel miles to get a good days climbing in and that is exactly what we got at the Ice Factor. Well done to Jamie and his team and guest celebrity route setter Andy Turner.

Out of a potential 60 competitors, there were 59 entries. A superb turnout. The fact it was the Series Prize Giving also meant we had lots of extra supporters including Anna Wells grand-parents who were great fun and were happy to wear helmets so they could get the best view of their grand-daughter in the final. Flying axes were not going to put them off!

5 hours of climbing flew by but left most of us with arms a bit longer than we started with. There were 2 routes on the outside of the building, 3 in the ice room and then a variety of top roped and bouldering problems. As has always been the case, the Series has encouraged the route setters to fulfil the needs of novice intermediate and super talented climbers. This is not an easy task but time and again we walk away feeling amazed that the whole cross-section of the competitors feel they got exactly what they came for. Brilliant!

The finals had all the tension and noise effects that any good final should have. Loads of ‘go on!!’ ‘ ohhhhhhhhhh’ and ‘ahhhhhhhs’. There were some amazing gymnastic diplays and some cracking falls and all ending with smiles. We needed to have a super final too for a couple of the categories and when we thought they could give no more, they had to come and perform. They didn’t disappoint and managed to get higher than most of us could get when we were feeling fresh. Dylan McKenzie and Steve Addison ( Jnr Male) both came up to Andy Turner still buzzing with adrenalin to thank him for setting such a fantastic Jnr Final route. The female finalists were less grateful as the hanging log proved too big an obstacle for all three hence the super final. Anna Wells managed to find enough energy to take the first place for the day. Great performance.

The male vets and male sports were as unpredictable as ever. Steve Johnston only just got into the final in 5th position and then proceeded to win the event in outstanding style. Rhudidh McKenzie is the reason I am not scared of being in the veteran club.His agility was outstanding and he took away first prize.


THE SCOTTISH TOOLING SERIES PRIZE GIVING & ROUND UP REPORT

We all know that these events can not happen without the support of sponsors. Lyon Equipment (distributors for Petzl, Sportiva and Beal) have sponsored the Scottish Tooling Series from the start. Martin Berghand attended and took part on Saturday and it was fantastic to have him there. He witnessed first hand what a tremendous atmosphere there is among events like this and he said he was proud that they could support such grass routes events. He was also so impressed the age and gender range of the participants. The youngest is 10 years old ( Sophie) and the oldest is 62 ( Tony). The crowd showed their appreciation when I introduced him so he left in no doubt that this is a group of people who love the Series and really appreciate how it needs their kind of support. I would also like to thank our others sponsor at this point; Marmot, The Balvenie, Wigwam and Dream Holds. The prizes have been superb and really add so much value to each event.

This Series was also given tremendous support from the MC of S for the youth side. Although the junior female numbers have not increased, the junior males have and there is a strong support for the feeling that we have some Olympic champions in the making ready for 2016.

Each venue takes a risk by running an event. They are closing down for normal business in the hope there are enough entrants to cover the days expenses. As the Series grows in popularity this is becoming less of an issue, but they need thanks for taking the risk in the first place. They also have to put in so much hard work route setting as it is never as straight forward as just putting holds on the wall…..tooling without hanging logs doesn’t exist any more!

Glenmore Lodge has been very proud to co-ordinate the first two Scottish Tooling Series. As a National Centre we were told there was a need for such an event. There obviously is and with the support of the venues and sponsors we are really proud we have been able to help it on its way. I will be leaving the Lodge in February and it seems the perfect time to hand over the role to the group of people who have made the Series their own. Pete Hill has offered to lead the co-ordination for 2010 along with Neil Silver who did the website for this year completely in his own time. They are hoping that all participants give them feedback from this year good and bad so they can keep the momentum going for many years to come. Pete’s website is www.drytoolinguk.com and the Neil’s Series website www.scottishtoolingseries.co.uk. I am not sure how they will manage to upstage the hand made trophies designed and made by Scott Webster and Graeme Hepburn. Petzl ice picks in oak plinths – now is that stylish or what?!

I have had an amazing time over the past two years and look forward to taking part in the coming events except I will no longer have an excuse to shout at everybody!

Thanks to everybody for making the Series such a fun event to be part of.

The really good photos were taken by Lukasz Warzecha whom you will have seen hanging from the roof. The other images were mine and not quite up to the same grade. He has very kindly let us use his imges and if you ever need a professional photographer his website is www.LWimages.co.uk

posted by glenmore @ 4:45 PM