As Cool as Ice

Toby & Rebecka conquer the Wall

The Alps came to England for Toby Dickens, a 19-year-old student from St Neots in Cambridgeshire, who was the lucky winner of the Saab Ice Wall Competition.

Toby won free ice-climbing lessons for him and a friend, on the Saab Ice Wall with a qualified guide at Ellis Brigham's Vertical Chill site in Covent Garden and took with him his girlfriend, Rebecka, after entering the competition on www.saabinmotion.co.uk.

While travelling around New Zealand last year, Toby, a keen outdoor sports enthusiast, enjoyed trekking on Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand. He was keen to try ice climbing, too, but financial restrictions on his three-and-a-half month visit to the country meant he was unable to do both. Winning the Saab Ice Wall competition, however, gave Toby the opportunity to give it a try.

The -12C Saab Ice Wall features more than 100 tonnes of snow and ice packed into the 23-ft (8 metre) concave Wall. But with several climbing routes, there is a climbing challenge for all standards.

Toby and Rebecka aimed high and, with the help of their guides, successfully reached the summit. Rebecka even opted to climb the hardest part – an overhanging ice section.

“It was lots of fun,” Toby said, reflecting on the experience.

“It was challenging at first, using brute force to compensate for poor technique, but with the advice and tips from the guides, it wasn't too hard.”

“The guides were incredibly helpful, very patient and gave good advice.”

For your chance to experience the thrill of the Saab Ice Wall, don't forget to enter the competition on www.saabinmotion.co.uk or book directly on www.vertical-chill.com