Gimps on Ice Recap

Photo by Sean Suddes Photography

Gimps on Ice 2011 event was a huge success. I realize that I should have written this earlier but man has life been a whirlwind since we wrapped March 5th. Where to start…
First, this year was undoubtedly the largest Gimps on Ice to date. We had 38 registered participants/volunteers with 49 showing up for our opening dinner at the Ouray Brewery. Timmy O’Neil and Chad Jukes regaled us with stories of world travel and sick climbing. Mouses Chocolates and Coffee, The Box Canyon Lodge, The Outlaw, O’Briens Irish Pub, Das Taco, and Kristopher’s Culinaire It was really great to see Michael Brown and Luis Benitez from the Soldiers to the Summit trip out supporting the Paradox community. The Ourayle House was the next stop of the night. Live music was provided Friday and Saturday night by a rouge group of musicians put together the day before. They sounded awesome! The Ourayle House was the place to be friday and Saturday night. I can not say enough about the other supporters of Paradox that stepped up for our invasion of Ouray.

Photo by Zuzana Svitek

Saturday and Sunday began with a great breakfast at Mouses Chocolates and Coffee. Jon and Heidi have been taking care of Paradox Sports since the inception of Gimps on Ice and are WONDERFUL people. Shortly after breakfast we made our way into the Box Canyon to began climbing. Our guides and riggers deserve all of the credit in the world for having our ropes set up and Paradox Athletes were able to start climbing right away. Chris Folsom, Nate McKenzie, Deb Folsom, Pete Davis, Luis Benitez, Russell Facente, and anyone else that assisted up there… THANK YOU so much! We could not pull off this event without you.

Photo by Sean Sudded Photography

The climbing was great. From the disabled athletes that had the opportunity to climb ice for the first time to athletes who had their first ice lead climb. The high point of the weekend was watching a young man who was born with a brain deterioration condition ice climb for the first time. He had to be carried to the edge of the canyon, lowered on a high line, and assisted with every step as he climbed, (Thanks Chris… I owe you a pair of pants!) but the determination in this young man inspired everyone in the canyon. Austin, keep grinding, it is an honor to know you. I have never seen a smile on someones face as big as Austin had.

Photo by Lourdes Irizarry

I also have to say that running a close second high point for me was watching Kate lead her first ice climb. Kate, GREAT WORK. I can not wait to hear about your upcoming project. I am going to hold you to it. I remember meeting you three years ago and you are climbing great. Keep it up.

Most of the group left Ouray Sunday afternoon completely fulfilled. I am forever grateful for this event and what it means to me. This year was no different. I left town absolutely INSPIRED! To support event’s like Gimps on Ice please visit www.paradoxsports.org.

Looking forward to next year….

Chad

Originally posted on www.chadbutrick.com