The Cool Appeal of Ice Climbing

As far as the physical challenge, the focus, and determination and, of course, the goal of ascending a nearly vertical surface, ice climbing has certain similarities to rock climbing. A major difference is that rock climbers have many natural hand-holds to use while climbing, while ice climbers make their own holds with ice axes (one in each hand) and spikes (called “crampons”) on the toes of their climbing boots. That, however, is just the beginning of the gear required for ice climbers. There is the normal climbing (climbing safely that is) gear such as harnesses, ropes and miscellaneous things with cryptic names such as: “quick draws,” “shock absorbing runners”, ”biners”, “leashes”, and “locking biners”. In addition, there are specialized ice climbing gear such as “ice screws”, “ice pitons”, and “ice screw clippers”. The obvious extra requirement for ice climbing is the clothing -- remember, you're climbing on the ice and the weather must, by necessity, be cold enough to keep it ice. Included in that clothing, something rock climbers don't necessarily wear, is a helmet. Ice climbers need to worry about falling chunks of ice more frequently than rock climbers worry about falling rocks.

If you are climbing for the first time, it is highly advisable to be with either a professional guide or an experienced friend who knows that you are an amateur. Climbing with an equally inexperienced drinking buddy will almost certainly lead to disastrous consequences. Ice climbing has a complete set of potential hazards that an experienced hand can help you avoid. Never, under any circumstances (or 'under any influence') climb alone -- there are some sports that can be more enjoyable when experienced alone with your thoughts, but climbing is not one of them.

Another option (actually the best option) for the first-time climber is joining mountaineering or climbing club. These clubs always have professional instructors and, best of all they might have access to an indoor climbing gym. Depending on where you live, you might able to find a climbing gym near by. Unless you live in an area where there is a big interest in ice climbing (due to a nearby mountain), you may have to travel a bit to find an indoor ice challenge.

Most climbing gyms have special memberships for beginners. They realize that most people like to try something out before making a major investment in equipment. An introductory package at one of these climbing gyms may cost between $50.00 and $75.00 but it may also include equipment rental, an instructor's time and time to practice. Not a bad deal, even if you have to travel a couple hundred miles to get to it. You can make it into a weekend adventure that is as much fun and as challenging as a trip to an ice-clad mountain, while being a lot safer. The climbing gym gives you a safe, controlled, convenient way to not only learn what you will face in the “real world” -- on the face of a mountain, but how to face it. Also, you will learn what techniques work for what situations and also give you a chance to make sure your body is up to the challenge. Climbing is fun, no doubt about that, but it is a physical challenge that is as rigorous as that of the cross-country runner or the channel swimmer.

After completing one of these introductory climbing courses at an indoor gym, you might consider taking some advanced courses before tackling a mountain. Many climbing gyms offer classes that will make you into a safer climber under almost any real-world weather condition and classes that teach you to safely lead groups up the mountain.

You'll find that your fellow ice-climbers have a strange sense of humor and love to crack jokes about falling off the mountain, but don't confuse that with a cavalier attitude or over confidence. Their humor is usually just a cover-up for their healthy fear and respect for the dangers of the sport. The 'secret' to being safe in the sport of ice climbing is no more secret than it is for any other sport: find a competent teacher, take what he or she says very seriously, practice and focus on what you are doing. You will be climbing in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful environments you'll ever see. You may be able, occasionally, to stop and drink in the beauty but when your are climbing, when its you against the mountain, it is only a fierce determination to make it to the top and an extreme focus on every movement that advances you another foot, that will keep you safe.

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