Ouray Ice Park Destroyed by Rockfall, Needs Repairs
A huge rock tumbled down a slope and destroyed much of the infrastructure to the famous ice climbing area
At the end of this Colorado ice season, the Ouray Ice Park was dealt a devastating blow: 12,000 pounds of rockfall spontaneously fell from the cliffs above the most iconic entrance into the Park, the trestle, which accesses one of the most popular parts of the Park, the School Room.
The rockfall also took out the Park’s water supply line that feeds the ice farming infrastructure to the whole south end of the Park, where 70 per cent of the routes are.
The accident was even more devastating as it came on the heels of the Park’s successful 2021 ice climbing competition that attracted some of the country’s best mixed climbers and was streamed live to hundreds of thousands of fans around the world, showcasing one of Colorado’s most treasured assets.
It will cost much more than $50,000 for the park to replace the bridge and water supply — money the small non-profit simply does not have. It’s a massive project. And they have to start soon to complete the work in time for next season’s opening.
Without these repairs, the Park’s 2022 season and the world-renowned comp might not happen. Visit their go fund me page here to help with repair costs. As of March 31, they’ve raised nearly $70,000.
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