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What better place to ice climb than ... Iceland?
By Helgi Christensen
Special to ESPN.com

Before the invitation to compete in the X Games I hadn't thought much about any special training for ice climbing. That hasn't changed much, although I have paid a few visits to the weight room.

 Helgi Christensen
Christensen will be scouting new routes in Iceland prior to the X Games.

Anyway, I think the best training for climbing is climbing and the conditions have been exceptionally good for ice climbing in Iceland this fall. Not the same thing can be said about the conditions in Colorado, where I've been for the last two weeks. Climbing trips have tended to be long hikes to look at some wet rock! So now I'm looking forward to go back home to Iceland for better conditions, shorter days, and horrific weather. Even though it also means working 11 hours hard work per day as a diesel mechanic.

The only ice-climbing trips planned before the X Games are weekend trips to new areas with lots of new routes. Doesn't sound too bad, does it?

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