NIPIGON— In support of Nipigon Ice Fest, the township informed residents that parking spots up the Orient Bay corridor were officially plowed.
This allowed the township to continue having the traditional parking areas cleared and ready before the festival weekend for the community to use, with the Nipigon Ice Fest happening on March 5. Members of the community were able to safely park their vehicles completely off the highway, making it much safer and more accessible for everyone.
The Nipigon Ice Fest Committee was excited to confirm that “Canada’s longest-running, premiere ice climbing festival featuring ice climbing clinics, presentations by outdoor adventurers, gear swat, fun and games and their legendary gear raffle”, was all part of this event, which was to take part virtually.
With updated COVID-19 protocols and limited capacity to allow for social distancing, their legendary gear raffle was held as an online auction. The evening also hosted guest speakers at the Nipigon Legion Whether you are novice, intermediate, or expert climbers, the Committee encourages everyone to come learn and explore.
The event featured climbing clinics for beginners, intermediate and mixed climbers. The feature presentations were held on March 3, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and although it was held virtually this year, it included a presentation by renowned elite alpinist Jim Elzinga.
Jim Elzinga is one of Canada’s few elite alpinists who constantly searched for more difficult routes on the world’s challenging mountains, his climb of Mount Everest was one in which “he tried an unclimbed route by fair means-without the use of traditional Sherpa support”.
After Jim Elzinga’s presentation, the Committee hosted a virtual panel of local legends to have a discussion about a variety of ice climbing topics that was described as, “entertaining, inspiring and informative”. The public was able to ask questions from the climbers on the panel, after the panel discussion, which went from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The panel discussion featured guest climbers such as: Wes Bender, a local climber; Patrick Martel, an avid climber since 1996; Ruth Chapman who along with her two boys began climbing together with the Alpine Club in the mid-90s; and Chris Chapman, a Thunder Bay local who beg ice climbing in the Thunder Bay area in the mid-90s. As well, Kevin Shorthouse, who spent his free time pursuing vertical endeavours, was also a member of this panel.
The Ice Fest was hosted by Aric Fishman, author of the Thunder Bay Climbing Guidebook, owner and lead guide of Outdoor Skills and Thrills and president of the Nipigon Ice Fest committee.
As part of this event, a photo contest which started Jan. 21, 2022, was also part of this event with residents reminded that it will run until March 7. The prize to be won is a $100 gift card from Wilderness Supply Company.
Further information can be found at: www.nipigonicefest.com
