In 2010 I attended and shot the Ouray Ice Festival for the first time. What an amazing experience! The I tried to capture the massive ice flows against the small climbers. The ice is such a formidable competitor. I liked the colors of the red jacket and the yellow pack. Plus, he had the absolute biggest pack that he was hoisted up the side of the sheer ice mass.
The equipment is almost romantic. I think some of the climbers revel in the equipment and the uniquenss of it all...how many people can say they climbed the side of a cliff covered with ice? Not many.