Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 14, 2012 - 07:29am PT
In an effort to offset the serious economic repercussions of the closure of June Mountain, many of us locals are purposing to bring visitors to the area for purposes beyond downhill skiing...June Lake has SO much more to offer.
Flanders and I are wanting to put together a week long Ice Festival....ice climbing, ice skating, skinny skiing, snow-mobiling, etc....
I am looking for input here....your ideas on what YOU would like to see during the week, and also, would like to get a feel for how many would consider coming to this event.
Most of my ideas below are not particularly insightful. I'm just bumping you up the page.
I second the motion for local brewery involvement (Double Nut Brown... mmmm).
I'm of two minds about whether or not to involve gear companies, as it would be kind of cool for it to be a low-key, climber-centric hang. However, my guess is that involving gear companies would likely be an attraction for most other folks, so it's probably better for the success of the event (and the help for the local economy) to try to get companies and reps involved.
You'll need to think about local accommodations, deals, and such for the participant.
Plan a party--aforementioned beer, local band, raffle, and so on--for one night.
Might be nice to plan a "backcountry" skin-up-and-slide-down June Mountain for those interested, to highlight the connection to the closing of June Mountain, the impact on the town, and so on. Even if June stays closed (something I don't really feel like I can influence) the closed June Mountain might remain a draw for backcountry skiers who might visit the town.
Maybe a slideshow? Personally, I'd be keen for some local hardman or hardwoman to give a show on our own amazing Sierra and all it has to offer, rather than a show on Alaska or Patagonia.
Great idea Dean. I hope the town gets it off the launch pad.
Not enough lead time to do it really right the first time but it will be good to get it off the ground. Send a representative to the OR show in January to try to get vendor participation from the outdoor industry. The Ouray Ice Festival has 30 + vendors who supply atheletes for clinics, money and demo gear for attendees.
Good idea.
I think the first thing to do is consistent ice farming. That will get climbers returning to the area.
The ice skating, skinny skiing is a good idea also.
As far as an actual festival, not sure if having vendors there will draw the crowds. Maybe get Dave Talsky involved; and a sideshow of Sierra ice climbing would be good.
I like your thinking, and hope you and Flanders can make it happen.
Right on Jim D I look forward to your guest appearance at the.....
First Annual June Lake Ice Festival.
Jim those are great ideas on how to help June Lake get an Ice fest up and running. The haqrdest part is not the idea its learning all the nuances to putting on a great event. It comes with time.
I think the first thing to do is consistent ice farming. That will get climbers returning to the area.
hell's yeah!
i've never skied june mountain (or even been on it) but they probably had a snow making set up. could one somehow use that existing plumbing for ice farming?
Lee Vining Canyon will be a part of this event...not just the ice here in June Lake.
Also, let's keep the discussion of ice farming off this page.....this scenario will be addressed by Flanders and I with the private entities which own the property where proposed farming may occur.
June Mountain will be CLOSED to any and all traffic, with 24 hour security to keep out poachers. The ski area will continue to do AC to prevent a catastrophe....but no access will be allowed. Of course....that could change.
I would also consider getting in touch with SP and get the dates for the annual Ice Gear week long fest that he heads during that time frame. Combine the two maybe.
Strength in numbers for sure combining the two events is a great idea.
What I really like is how the locals are not sitting back going woe is me. Dean you guys take the bull by the horns and do whats best for your community.
Cool idea but I'd say also try to think of things with more mass appeal than ice climbing to bring the $s in.
I was going to suggest a Film Festival, but it looks like Mammoth already has one, I don't think there'd be enough demand for two so close together.
What about cat skiing at June? I know that's probably a call that the resort officials would make, but it doesn't hurt to push for it. It's probably a lot cheaper to run a cat operation with a dozen guides instead of a mountain full of lifts, lifties, ski patrol, etc.
Its cool yu guys are organizing this but I can't help but think of that line from the movie Snatch: "Weve got beaches here too (in England)" "Yeah well who the hell wants to see them??"
So, here's the deal....last winter, Flanders and I went up to do the north side of Horsetail Falls, which was in the best nick either of us have EVER seen! Alas, I forgot the camera....and the ice was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!
We decided to go back a few days later and get some shots to bolster Flanders' web site....but then....darn if I could not get the uploader working here on Supertopo....so alas, I never posted these fine shots.
Well, that was probably a good thing, as now they can appear here as just one more primer for the Eastside Ice Festival!!!!!!!!
Again, the cold temps and lack of snow allowed for some of the best ice EVER here in June Lake!
Here is Flanders on the first pitch, approaching a formation we dubbed The Tiara.....you'll see why....
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Flanders at the lip of the Tiara...
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...and up and over....
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As I approached the Tiara, I could see this spectacular cave that had formed underneath it....
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Here is the view of the Tiara formation from above....
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On up to Flanders' belay....
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Looking down on Flanders as I lead the 2nd....
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My own self in the narrows on the 2nd....
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Flanders begins the 3rd, heading for some SPECTACULAR gargoyles of ice....
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My own self coming up through the gargoyles.....
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Nearing the summit....Flanders bullets the blue sky....
yeah but what about the approach? it's not very festival friendly.......gonna have to install some sort of escalator system from above off the 120 by the bridge....maybe increase the size of those pullouts as well....gonna need the extra parking
no wait even better.....a zip line down to the ice!
I know of some people over here in my 'hood who would love to try ice climbing. However, they don't have mountaineering boots and crampons for the vertical nor do they have the cash to blow.
It would be cool if there were vendors that could supply rental gear at a reasonable cost.
Also, when the time comes, send me a PDF of the flyer and I'll post it up at our climbing gym.
Hi DR, What a great idea. One of the things that you can do is to have a centralized place for all the information that visitors will need, and that probably means a website at the least.
There are a lot of computer smart people who inhabit the Taco. I'm not one of them but I know that If you wanted to do a website for free you can create a free blog on a blogsite like wordpress, and then have extra pages (also free) containing all the info (pages for event calendar, lodging options, food, contact info, etc). These pages are very easy to create and edit at any time.
How "reliable" is the Lake ice for ice skating? Would you be guaranteed ice skating on some portion of the lake in February?
There is a website being assembled that will feature ALL of the upcoming events being planned for June Lake. We will include the IceFest on that site, and also have daily updates for ice conditions, both horizontal and vertical.
Phylp, ice skating can always be hit or miss, as when we get good ice, often it will snow on top, ending the party. Historically, the best ice skating conditions are in December...our coldest temps and lowest snowfalls that time of year.
The shot below was taken two days after Flanders and I did this exact same line on the BH. It was the last climb that Flanders did prior to his event. That evening he had his stroke. Neither I nor my local buddy (pictured below), who is also a very close friend of Flanders, had any idea of what had happened to Flanders. We both found out that afternoon on our return to Mammoth.
The Chief, maybe you could lead some of the mixed climbing clinics. I bet your class would be one of the most popular, along with Steve House's. Personally, would take yours though. (unless they overlap)
Hey all,
We may be able to help as well. We've attended, sponsored and held our own ice climbing festivals, including the Ouray Ice Festival (CO), Portland Rock Gym Festival (OR), Mt Rainier Festival (WA), Bozeman Ice Festival (MT), Mt Washington Ice Festival (NH) and City Rock Indoor Ice Climbing Comp (CO). We are in the Sacramento valley area and would be an easy drive for us to June Lake.
We manufacture indoor ice climbing holds. Our website is www.iceholdz.com
Granite Arches in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento) has the first 50' indoor ice climbing wall with IceHoldz on it in this state. There is huge potential there for holding an indoor ice climbing festival in UIAA format if there is enough interest. We've got some good reps we've worked with from 5.10, Petzl and Sterling.
Let us know more details.
Thanks,
Terri
Let us know!