Ice climbing team meeting 2019:

What a (n)ice day!

Before it's getting hot, it first got icy cold once again at this year's team meeting in Pitztal valley! Because of the warm temperatures a few days earlier, it wasn't sure whether the meeting could even take place, however, the weather god smiled on us: It stayed cold. On 15th February the six of us set off to the ice of the Kitzgartenschlucht gorge – with remarkably good weather conditions.

7am – time to play! For Cathy LaFlamme, Harry Berger, Hansjörg Mair, Peter Manhartsberger, Benni Hangl senior and Christian Picco Piccolruaz this day only meant one thing: Ice, ice baby! The atmosphere was great, the motivation high and awesome ice, a great group as well as the perfect equipment made this meeting a real success!

Despite the cold, we climbed as much as possible. No matter if ice or mixed climbing: Our team athletes gave everything their forearms were capable of. The well-deserved evening hours were then spent with great company and awesome dinner while talking about the exciting day and exchanging thoughts about new ideas, upcoming projects and the perfect ice climbing tools.

No signs of tiredness yet! Before starting back home, it was climbing time again for a smaller group of athletes: The conditions were so great that even a – remarkably fast – first ascent by Harry Berger, Hansjörg Mair and Peter Manhartsberger was possible: Eintagsfliege, rated with M7 WI5. Not bad!

Bottom line: It was steep, it was cold, it was exhausting, it was fun, it was just (n)ice! The Pitztal valley showed itself at its very best – and it surely wasn't the last time for us!