UIAA Ice Climbing North American Championships 2022 - Ouray, USA

february 3rd - 5th, 2022

With the success of our first-ever 2021 Virtual Ouray Ice Festival and Competition, the UIAA asked us to host the 2022 North American Championships.

There were two days of flash (no isolation) qualification climbing and the top 8 athletes in each category and age group advanced to on-sight finals on the third day. Routes were a combination of rock, ice, and artificial media. Athletes were divided into two categories, Adult and U16, as well as Men’s and Women’s. Medals were awarded to the top three North American athletes in each category and age group. Awards were presented to any non-North American top three athletes. 

The Speed Competition was open to both Adult and U16, and took place on the route Stonefree. Speed Qualifiers were on Thursday and athletes had to complete 3 runs, with the best time counting. The top 8 athletes proceeded to Speed Finals that Saturday.

Watch the 2022 Championships

Schedule of Competition

Thursday, February 3rd

8:00 AM: Qualifiers began on Qualification Route A

  • Qual A was climbing the ice onto the structure. There were three zones on the ice. If an athlete fell before they got into zone 2, they could re-start. Their time did not restart. All athletes had 8 minutes.

9:00 AM: Speed Qualifying - Athletes completed three runs, with the best time counting. The top 8 athletes proceeded to Speed Finals Saturday.

  • Speed Qualifier took place on the route Stonefree.

1:00 PM: U16 Qualifiers began on Qualification Route A

  • Qual A was the route Tic Tac.

Friday, February 4th

7:45 AM: Qualifiers began on Qualification Route B

  • Qual B was climbing Aphrodite onto the structure. If an athlete fell before they made the 1st clip above the pre-clipped draw, they could restart. Men had 8 minutes and women had 10 minutes.

1:00 PM: U16 Qualifiers began on Qualification Route B

  • Qual B was an ice climb to the left of Tic Tac.

Saturday, February 5th

8:00 AM: Speed Finals took place on the route Stonefree

10:15 AM: U16 Lead Finals began on ice, then onto the tower

11:05 AM: Women’s Lead Finals were followed immediately by Men’s Lead Finals beginning at the bottom of Aphrodite then onto Dizzy with a Vision then onto the tower

3:00 PM: Awards Ceremony took place on the Lower Bridge

 

2022 Championships Qualifier Previews

Behind the Scenes

bridging the gap: the 2022 ouray ice climbing championships

Watch the 2021 Ouray Elite Mixed Climbing Competition

The Documentary

Topping Out: Race To The 2021 Ouray Ice Climbing Competition

Images by Xander Bianchi