Ice Climbing
Ice-climbers shimmy lightly up frozen waterfalls and icicles. Crampons, ice tools and ice screws provide the necessary hold. The rope is attached to the ice screws by express slings. This adventurous sport is not for the faint-hearted, as it often takes you high up on ice, which can be unpredictable at times. It may be hard to imagine for sportspeople who prefer to go on a sunny ski tour in winter rather than to stay in a shady north face. But it is this very kick that makes ice climbing so exciting for professionals.
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The first steps in ice climbing
Take a slow approach to ice climbing, starting with rock climbing tours that usually require fewer scaffolds and where the level of difficulty can be increased slowly. In ice climbing, the first step from theory to practice is quite big, because the sport can only be practised directly on the ice. That's why it's all the more important to master the theory down to the smallest detail before you venture out onto the ice. Our Tour Search provides you with suitable routes for every level of difficulty.
Organisations such as alpine clubs or mountain schools offer courses and guided tours that beginners and advanced climbers can join. You can usually hire the equipment on site for a small fee. You can find an overview of ice climbing courses for beginners and advanced climbers here.
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The right equipment for ice climbing
When ice climbing, you need much more equipment than for other activities. We have compiled a list of equipment that is essential for ice climbing:
- Backpack (approx. 40 litres, with ice axe attachment) .
- Warm, crampon proof mountain boots with at least a toggle binding at the back, impregnated .
- A rockfall helmet (not older than 5 years)
- Climbing harness (4 gear loops, with 2 clippers for ice screws, not older than 5 years)
- 3 rope cords (1m, 3m, 5m) with 5-6mm
- 3 webbing slings (vernäht, 1 x diameter 60cm and 2 x 120cm)
- 5 HMS screw carabiners
- 8 ice screws (6 x approx. 16cm and 2x approx. 19cm, modern design with crank)
- Eissanduhrfädler
- 2 half ropes for ice clocks (approx. 1m)
- Steel crampons with rocker and anti-slip plate (adapted and with filed frontal prongs)
- Eventual ski boots (adjustable length)
- 8 express slings (wire snapper advantageous)
- Belay device „Tuber with plate function“ (ATCGuide, Reverso ...)
- 2 modern ice axes (possibly with spare blades)
- Files/grindstone for filing the hews .
- Two half-rope lengths (60 m), as good as new, impregnated
- LVS device
- Functional clothing
The correct technique for ice climbing is explained in this video.
Ice Climbing Safety
Ice climbing, like all alpine sports, is naturally associated with certain dangers. That's why you should always find out exactly what the current conditions are at the icefall before a tour and assess the situation well on the spot.
An icefall is never exactly the same as it was the year before – not even the day before. Therefore, even on the day of the climb, conditions may be much different from those given in the guidebook. Most accidents in the ice happen due to misjudgement. It is therefore essential that you take enough time to study the ice and learn how to assess it correctly.
Ice climbing with the features of Outdooractive
Outdooractive provides you with all the important functions you need for your ice climbing tour. Whether you are looking for inspiration, planning your adventure or are already on site, Outdooractive's many features will help you find exactly what you need.
The Outdooractive map is always up to date and contains all the important information about the terrain, trail conditions and altitude. The BuddyBeacon function, which allows you to share your location with friends and family in real time and thus be found quickly in the event of an emergency, provides additional safety when out and about.
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