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Show _Tnr Tuesday, March 4, 2008 DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 8 Ice climbing offers unique alternative to winter sports T he concept is simple. Strap razorsharp objects to your limbs, then hack your way up a giant ice cube. Sounds pretty easy, right? Sort of. Ice climbing is as simple as algebra—if you have a little bit of training, proper technique and appropriate gear, it can be quite easy. However, if you lack any of these things, there might be a problem. This niche sport is not for everyone. You are often cold and frequently wet. It is a lot of work, and it can be expensive, but it is a blast. Ice climbing is one of winter's unsung activities. ' Many people know such silly things exist, but they often have limited knowledge of this sport's true nature. The equipment is similar to rock climbing, but some aspects are different. For example, climbing shoes are replaced with rigid boots and crampons (metal sandals with 2-inch protruding spikes), and specialized ice axes function as your hands. With the proper technique, the equipment allows you to scale vertical faces of ice with relative ease. There are two general types of ice climbing: top roping and lead climbing. Top roping is by far the safest option. The rope that can scale it. It's a primeval sport, just like climbing in general. Many individuals KIRK will wonder why anyone would participate in such TURNER an activity, but I ask why not? The mountains are there, and it is possible. This sport is inherently belays the climber passes dangerous, but those risks through afixedpoint at the can be mitigated quite top of the pitch or face to successfully by practicing prevent much of a fall if the some safety. An introductory course will teach the climber should sup. Lead climbing is a dif- basics and get you started, ferent game. The rope but you should also take is attached to a climber some trips with seasoned directly, and he or she is veterans to maximize your protected by ice screws experience. The Outdoor that are set to prevent a Recreation Program offall. When done correctly, fers classes and more genboth methods can be quite eral information. safe, but there is always a Additionally, alpine little inherent danger. mountaineering routes re__ quire techE a c h nical pitchcrampon es., and ice has 12 sharp Ice climbing is as climbing is points, and if you spend simple as algebra— a great way to train for enough time in this sport, if you have a little bit them. Regardless of you'U evenyour expetually see of training, proper rience level, blood Ice is anyone can a crazy sur- technique and learn, and face and, defor those pending on appropriate gear, it who love conditions, it can be quite easy. mountains can have any and heights, number of ice climbing is just the consistencies and properties. But there are few feel- thing to spice up the winPHOTO COURTESY KIRKTURNER ings like the exhilaration ter. and satisfaction of looking k.turner@chronicle. Ice climbing equipment is similar to rock climbing equipment. Climbing shoes become crampons and rigid boots, and ice axes up at hundreds of vertical utah.edu replace one's hands. feet and knowing that you Snowshoeing: not a sport for the faint of heart When there is 2 feet of powder on the ' trails and you want to exercise, what can you do? Running is out of the question. Cycling would be a joke, and if n you can't (or don't) ski or snowboard, there are few options for you. Snowshoeing is the perfect activity that does not require much skill, money or balance. It can also be done just about anywhere. All you need is some snow, a little bit of suitable terrain and some outdoor clothing, and you are ready to go. i ? The natives of snowy regions around the world have been constructing these contraptions for centuries, yet the basic principles have yet to change. Snowshoes operate on simple physics. Their surface area produces less force on the snow than just boots, and the result is enhanced flotation. Traditional styles are still made out of bent hard- w o od and sinew, but most modern models are made from aluminum tubing and vinyl, making them inexpensive. There are various designs to suit your individual needs. Shorter dovetailed versions are more suited for fast-paced travel such as jogging on packed trails, and longer and wider models function bet- ter in deep powder. Technique is elementary. You pretty much just walk, unless you are on steep terrain where it can be more difficult. Running with these instruments can be a little tricky. If there is crust or ice involved, traction can be an issue, but most snowshoe models these days come standard with metal crampons that aid in traction. See SHOEING Page 10 Red Rocks' biggest rival loses top gymnast in Kupets Jon Gilbert STAFF WRITER The fall of a national champion Georgia's Courtney ; Kupets, the two-time defending NCAA all-around national champion, tore her right Achilles' tendon on Saturday. Kupets was attempting a double Arabian on the first pass of her floor routine against Arkansas when the injury ^occurred. She underwent ^successful surgery Monday, the Georgia medical jStaff reported. T- Kupets finished ahead ;pf Utah's Ashley Postell i.in the all-around competition in the past two NCAA ; championships. Losing Kupets for the season should hurt Georgia's run hat a fourth consecutive national championship, but Utah doesn't expect too |much of a change. ti "Georgia is still a strong [team and will be the favor: ite to win nationals," Utah ; head coach Greg Marsden i said. Kupets posted scores for two events in the meet ! against Arkansas, and the !Gym Dogs still achieved a W season-high score. Georgia knows how to rebound after losing key pieces late in the season. The Gym Dogs lost Ashley Kupets—Courtney's older sister—and Kelsey Ericksen after both suffered injuries prior to nationals last year. Ashley Kupets tore her Achilles' at regionals, and Ericksen tore her ACL training for the championships. The team responded by winning its third straight national title without their star seniors. "These types of things (the Georgia . coaching staff) use as a rallying point for their team," Marsden said. Marsden is more concerned about the affect Kupets' injury has on collegiate gymnastics as a whole rather tfran the impact on the national championship. "Kupets helped give even greater respect to college gymnastics," Marsden said. "It's a loss for college gymnastics." Kupets tore her left Achilles' in 2003 training at the World Championships. She took nearly a year to recover, but the junior could be back in time for her senior season. Nothing like a little R andR The Red Rocks used their week off of competition to become healthier, but the outcome came with mixed results. Stephanie Neff's Achilles' injury is healing nicely and she completed full bar routines with dismounts last week. She also practiced all of her tumbling maneuvers on a soft surface. Kyndal Robarts' knee is feeling much better. Marsden said she should be ready to do every event on Friday with possible exception being floor. Nina Kim is expected to be back to full strength after spraining her foot. However, she and Daria Bijak spent last week battling sickness. "That's been frustrating, and I'm not sure what they'll be able to do by the end of the week," Marsden said. Bijak still doesn't feel well, but she said Monday that her fever had subsided. He> Waiting in the wings For the most part this season, the U gymnastics team has been able to fend off serious injury. When bumps and bruises do arise, senior Katie Kivisto is ready to step in where needed. Twice this season, Kivisto has filled a hole hi Utah's rotation at the last moment. "I've learned to be ready no matter what/' Kivisto said. Against Washington on Feb. 16, Kim was injured duringi warmups. Marsden turned to Kivisto and asked her to fill in on uneven bars. She swung her way to a 9.80. The day before Utah's meet against UCLA on Feb. 24, Kyndal Robarts informed her coaches that her knee was sore from the meet the day before. On Sunday, it was determined she could not compete, and Kivisto stepped in again on short notice to fill out the floor exercise lineup. She led the team off with a 9.775. Kivisto said that she doesn't get rattled by last-minute decisions and is happy to have the opportunity to compete. TYLER tOBBfJhtDoitfOleh, "I feel like I'm confident, and Greg (Marsden) is confident in Courtney Kupets, the two-time all-around national champion gy what I can do," she said. • from Georgia, tore her Achilles' tendon at a meet and Saturday a j.gilbert@chronicle.Utah.edu will miss the rest of the season. |