Linda Boyd, Mountainfest co-founder Vinnie McCleland and guide/instructor Chuck Boyd (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

This winter, Craig Wood, Mount Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface are not the only recreational venues where skiing and other snow sports are having a banner year; so too are such settings as the High Peaks’ cliffs and mountains, where backcountry skiers, ice climbers, and snowshoe enthusiasts are having a grand time. Evidence of that energy was on display at the Keene Valley Mountaineers’ 28th well-attended annual Adirondack International Mountainfest over the weekend of Feb. 14 to 16.

About two-thirds of the attendees have signed up for ice-climbing clinics, entry to multi-pitch, and the rest have signed up for backcountry ski clinics, entry to skiing safely on slides, or entry to snowshoeing. In addition, many have signed up for a three-day avalanche course.

Established by Vinnie McClelland, then owner of the Mountaineer, and guide Ed Palen, co-owner with his wife Theresa of Adirondack Rock & River Lodge, the Mountainfest, supported by equipment sponsors as Black Diamond, Darn Tough, Mammut and Patagonia, brings the backcountry community together to enhance their technical and safety skills, foster relationships and participate in the high-quality mountaineering experiences available in the Adirondacks.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, ice climbing was transformed by Vyon Chouinard’s innovations in equipment and technical tools, climber Jeff Lowe and Hamish MacInnes’ ice axe. By the same token, backcountry ski binding innovator Paul Ramer, boot designer Seven Coomer and sidecut ski developers Jurij Franko and Pavel Skofic transformed backcountry skiing. Similarly, Gene and Bill Prater, Bill Forest and Ernie Snyder revolutionized snowshoe design, resulting in lighter equipment and improved bindings.

The outcome of their and others’ innovations radically expanded winter activities. When I was a teenager, a handful of people were out skiing and hiking in the winter, and even fewer were ice climbing. Today, the cliffs and hills are alive with activity; it’s a rare day that cars are not parked along Chapel Pond or Lower Cascade Lake, indicating people are out ice climbing the many accessible cliffs. Locally, Ron Konowitz is well known for promoting skiing on the many slides on Adirondack Peaks.

Zach Martin, of Darn Tough, with free sock winners Zuzanna Kurzawa and Jen Tam (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“We wanted to have a celebration of winter mountaineering, get the climbing community together, and provide people the opportunity to learn about every aspect of winter mountaineering,” said McClelland.

“At the time, the other backcountry winter events were climbing competitions. We wanted to create a nonprofit so that all the proceeds go into the community for different causes, always the school, always the fire department, which has a backcountry rescue team. The purpose was to introduce people to all the different aspects of mountaineering: ice climbing, high altitude medical clinics, snowshoeing and introductory to advanced training.”

Critical was the lead equipment and clothing companies getting behind the event and providing not just technicians, but bringing the finest Alpinists, Ice climbers, and other experts in the world to lead master classes, participate in panel discussions and share documentaries. As a consequence, the event introduces many people, including the visiting experts, to Adirondack’s backcountry assets.

“To a person, most of these athletes are blown away by the Adirondacks,” said McClelland. “They say, ‘We had no idea the ice climbing, the backcountry skiing was this beautiful.’ That’s from people like Doug Scott, the British Himalayan climber. He said, ‘I came over here and was blown away, the Adirondacks are incredible.'”

Chuck Boyd, who has attended 25 or 26 Mountainfests and taught a backcountry ski clinic this weekend, said what he likes the best about the event is the community, connecting with people who are passionate about being in the mountains in winter and sharing that passion and their skills with others. He loves the annual spaghetti dinner at the firehouse and checking out advances in equipment.

Susan Toller, Jeff Holdsworth, and Karla and Jim McGonigle (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“I like the mental challenge and focus of ice climbing,” said local guide Matt Horner. “It puts you right in the moment. Nothing else matters except that moment.”

“I like the combination of athleticism and the natural environment,” said Black Diamond guide Raphael Slawinski.

“I love the cross-country skiing,” said Linda Boyd. “It doesn’t get much better than it is this year.”

“Today I took the ‘Learn to Lead’ clinic with Joe Vtti,” said Elizabeth Perry. “We spent the first few hours working through safety techniques and how to lead. Then we spent a few hours across from Chapel Pond doing mock leads. I learned a lot. I learned more safety protocols, different techniques for rappelling on ice, and how to secure screws into the ice.”

Parry and her husband, Sundar Ramaswamy, live in New York City and have attended Mountainfest three or four times. Perry said she loves the challenge of the sport. Sundar said their goal is be able to climb safely by themselves and feel more confident on ice.

Sundar Ramaswamy and Elizabeth Perry (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

He said, “I like the sense of community climbing in the Adirondacks, and its sense of place. The mountains and valleys are spectacular; it’s an extraordinary place to climb.”

Snowshoers Susan Toller, Jeff Holdsworth, and Karla and Jim McGonigle said the conditions were perfect for snowshoeing, certainly on Hurricane Mountain, where they spent most of Saturday. Canadians Susan and Jeff said they didn’t make it all the way to the top, but they had a fine time. Their friends, Karla and Jim, from Philadelphia, loved the amount of powder snow in the woods and the quality of the trail conditions.

Back in the tent, sponsors sold gear, demonstrated products, and, in case anyone punches a hole in their parka or tears their clothing out in the woods, Patagonia rep Clara Redwood was demonstrating equipment repair with a portable, self-contained awl designed by Chouinard, no stranger to stressing gear in the woods.

“We teach self-repair, but people can always send it in to Patagonia and get it repaired for free, Redwood said.”

“It’s been a great event,” said Charlie Wise, owner of the Mountaineer. “We’ve cold weather, good ice, plenty of snow and lots of people here having fun. While we’re in the business of selling hard goods and technical equipment, we’re also in the business of teaching people how to use those things. We have an amazing guide community in the local area and wider regional area, so we are well positioned to make those connections for people who want to learn these skill sets, use the right equipment, and use it properly.”

Brooke Wise, Charlie Wise (Mountaineer owner) and David Butler (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

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(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley and has been writing his column for the Lake Placid News since 2005.)

Local guide Matt Horner and Black Diamond guide Slawinski (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)