Man's ice climb with no experience was 'tiring'

Chris Craddock
BBC Jersey communities reporter
Steve Gay Steve Gay wearing a woolly black hat and a red scarf.Steve Gay
Steve Gay has raised money for a Jersey charity

A man from Jersey has conquered one of Finland's largest ice climbs to raise money for charity.

Steve Gay said he climbed frozen waterfall Mammutti in the Korouoma Canyon despite only learning how to ice climb in the 24 hours before the challenge.

He completed the challenge on 14 February and raised £550 for equality and diversity charity Liberate Jersey.

Mr Gay said it was "so tiring" but "a great experience".

Steve Gay Steve is climbing the ice with two pick axes and his boots and is dug into the wall. He is wearing dark blue trousers and a jacket and a light green helmet. Steve has long hair in dreads which comes all the way down his back and almost to his feet.Steve Gay
Steve Gay took on the challenge for Liberate Jersey

Mr Gay said it was "quite difficult" as he had not had "any real climbing experience" before.

He said: "It's freezing so you can't take your gloves off because your hands will go numb.

"It was about -15 degrees when we did it but it felt like -20C when we got to the canyon because the cold air is trapped there."

He added the height of the climb changes each year but on average is about 50m (164ft) tall.

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