The Psicobloc Masters Series returns to the Utah Olympic Park on July 26 to 28. Professional climbers from around the world will converge on Park City at the same time as the Outdoor Retailer Summer market to compete head-to-head in what is essentially a deep-water solo climbing competition.
The 2017 Psicobloc Masters is a three-day climbing event, held at the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. Both professional and amateur athletes will compete in a dual climbing format on a 52-foot climbing wall with a 26-foot overhang above the 1.25 million gallon ski-jump training pool. Competitors will battle it out with no ropes or harnesses, to see who can make it to the top of the competition wall the fastest.
According to a press release, the 2016 Wwmen’s champion, Michaela Keirsh, returns this year to defend her title with a field of new and returning athletes including the 2015 champion, Charlotte Durif. Nathanial Coleman, who lost by a hand to Jan Hojer in last year’s competition, returns for another shot at the title in a stacked field of athletes including the 2015 champion, Jimmy Webb.
The public is invited to attend and witness this out-of-this-world event. Tickets for the Psicobloc Master Series are available online at Psicocomp.com and in person at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. VIP tickets are available for $80 per person and includes general admission on Thursday, July 27 for the seeding round; parking and poolside access on Friday, July 28 for the finals.
General admission tickets for Thursday’s Seeding Round are $15 for adults and $10 for youth ages six to 12. General admission tickets for Friday’s Finals are $25 for adults and $20 for youth ages six to 12. Kids ages five and under are free both nights. On Friday, there is a $5 on-site parking fee and free parking accessed via shuttle from the lower Olympic Parkway roundabout near the Park City Kimball Junction Visitor Center.
In addition, you can try and climb the Psicobloc wall yourself! Test your skills during Qualifiers on July 26 and you can earn a spot in the competition. Registration is open to the public (ages 16 and older) and the cost is $100 per person. Qualifiers will consist of one male route with a grade of 5.13+ and one female route with a grade of 5.12+. The top four fastest competitors from each gender will be awarded a spot during the Seeding Round. To register, go to: http://psicocomp.com/qualifier/
The Psicobloc climbing wall will open for public climbing beginning early July through September. Anyone (age seven or older) can experience the thrill of deep-water soloing. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Climbing wall tickets are $15 and $20 with shoe rental. Tickets are available at the Guest Services desk located in the Quinney Welcome Center at the Utah Olympic Park. The climbing wall ticket is also included in the Gold Pass.
Here is the Psicobloc Master Series Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, July 26 – Qualifiers (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Thursday, July 27 – Seeding Round (Vendor village opens at 5:00 p.m.; doors open at 6:00 p.m.; climbing starts at 7:00 p.m.)
Friday, July 28 – Finals (Vendor village opens at 5:00 p.m.; doors open at 6:00 p.m.; climbing starts at 7:00 p.m.)
For more, go to http://psicocomp.com/attend/