I arrived in Estes Park, Colorado for my first ice climbing adventure on Thursday, February 17th. When I pulled into the Colorado Mountain School (my home away from home), it was nearly 2am and snowing. The first day I spent resting and readjusting to the altitude, since I'd driven in from the low lands of St. Louis.

Doug Masterleo, from the Colorado Mountain School, and I got together the following morning to start my first ice climbing experience. As I tried on different gear to see which fit best, we decided to go to Boulder Canyon for the first day of ice climbing.

Boulder Canyon was fairly close and the ice climbing routes were only 150 yards from where we parked the car. As I strapped on my crampons, my thoughts were a mix of excitement and doubt. With my cerebral palsy, I wasn't sure I would be able to ice climb my first time out, but I've always had a love for adventure and challenges and a belief that you never know until you try.

After Doug got back from setting up my first climb (about 80 feet in length) it was my turn! My heart was racing as I started up the ice. The climb started out relatively easy but as I moved higher the ice became steeper. As I climbed up, my spirits soared with each step. My feet slipped out a couple of times leaving me hanging on my right arm and the rope. I simply kicked my crampons back into the ice and continued up. My concentration never broke when my crampons slipped out of the ice, nor was I afraid. I knew that with a rope tied to me and a professional climber belaying me, I wasn't in any real danger.

As I reached the top of my first ice route, a feeling of accomplishment set in as I looked around the canyon. The trees and canyon walls around me took on a new look as I sat there. After I got back down I had a little time to contemplate my first ice route, while Doug set up another more difficult route. On this ice, I found that the ice climbing was easier than rock climbing because I could make foot and hand holds where I wanted them.

After climbing my second ice route, Doug talked me into having him set up a route that contained a vertical section. I wasn't sure I could climb a vertical section yet Doug assured me. As I started up my third ice route, I got to the vertical section almost right away. My arm and leg muscles were screaming in pain when I got to the vertical section. I started up the vertical ice and almost right away my crampons slipped out of the ice and left me hanging by my right arm. I'm glad I had a rope tied to me, but it was a dynamic rope so I was hanging with all my weight on my right arm. I swung my feet around trying to get my crampons back into the ice. A few minutes went by before I was able to get my crampons back into the ice then I continued up and finished the route with my arm muscles feeling like they were on fire. I like ice climbing, for it's a great workout and a lot fun. Ice climbing gave me a feeling of exhilaration that day.

After we finished climbing, Doug and I went out for dinner to celebrate a great day on the ice — then I headed for the hot tub.

I would like to thank both Doug Masterleo and the Colorado Mountain School for showing me the joy and challenge of ice climbing. I look forward to working with them on future climbs and expeditions.

—Tim Ashwood, Living the Life with MountainZone.com