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DF Indoor Climbing
Championships
Report & photos by Cpl Paul Millar
T
he second DF Indoor Climbing Championships were hosted by Custume Bks, Athlone, on March 26th. The event,
organised by Capt Richard Kilfeather of Defence Forces
Association of Mountaineers (DFAM), was split into a number of
different climbs, distinguished by the colour of the hold. As the
day progressed the climbs became successively harder, testing
the climbers' endurance and technical ability to the maximum.
There were no second chances in this competition, once a
competitor fell they were out of the event. One climb in particular, which had an overhang before the toughest move, proved
to be the most difficult obstacle. It was eventually conquered by
the winner of the competition, PO Jim Cleary, who was the only
climber to reach the top.
The other category up for grabs was the endurance climb. This
was based around one single climb that had to be scaled as many
times as possible without stopping. Two climbers were tied at
the top for this, so a climb-off took place on a slightly harder
route but with the same rules. Sgt Larry Chambers (27 Inf Bn)
eventually emerged victorious.
These championships are the start of what will be a very busy
season for DFAM, with five rock-climbing courses being run by
the various formations and a CTI course in August to top it all off.
For more information about how to get involved in mountaineering contact: richard.kilfeather@defenceforces.ie
RESULTS
DFAM Climbing Competition:
1st Place - PO Jim Cleary (NS)
2nd Place - Tpr Patrick Mc Carthy
(62 Res Cav Sqn/2 Cav Sqn)
DFAM Endurance Climbing Competition:
1st Place - Sgt Larry Chambers (27 Inf Bn)
Pictured (l/r): Capt Kilfeather, Tpr McCarthy,
PO Cleary and Sgt Chambers
An Cosantóir May 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie
PO Cleary on his title winning climb
