BOZEMAN GETS WORLD CUP ICE TOWER
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, competition ice climbing will be a demonstra- tion sport. Keen on the sport, the Russians promise to hold an eye-opening event at the Winter Olympics. For the United States to compete, athletes will need to be selected based on their ability. The climbers compete on a World
Cup-sanctioned structure for speed and difficulty. Currently there is not a World Cup "comp wall" in the U.S. As Bozeman is home to reliable cold temperatures and a motivated group of climbers, there are plans to construct a World Cup standard climbing structure at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds Events park to further competitive ice climbing in the United States.
In the Spring of 2011 the Montana State University School of Architecture, Friends of Hyalite, and a number of renowned Bozeman climbers organized a design competition to generate conceptual ideas for the proposed ice climbing venue. A team lead by me, Michael Spencer, a graduate of the school of ar- chitecture, with Tymer Tilton, a graduate student in the school of architecture, and P.J. Kolnik, a senior civil engineering student, won the competition with their submission, Mass Appeal.
The proposal expands on the initial competition requirements and calls for an outdoor events center for the greater Bozeman community, which could include a large outdoor concert venue and a "mountain sports" hostel, with adequate funding. The project is expected to be complete in time to hold the December 2013 Ice Climbing World Cup. See updates at http://bozemanice- tower.wordpress.com/. ~ Conrad Anker and Michael Spencer
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DISTINCTLY MONTANA • WINTER 2011
