Ice Climbing Articles and Videos
The ice axes, crampons, helmets, and sheer ice faces synonymous with the sport can be a little overwhelming if you‘re a beginner ice climber, but Trails.com has all the information to put you at ease, as well as some great tips and techniques for experts. We cover everything from sharpening crampons and preparing for mixed climbs to the proper clothing layers to stay warm out on the ice. We also offer gear reviews and shopping guides on top ice climbing products so you can save your money for more important things, like hot chocolate.
Layering and proper materials are the keys to keeping warm and enjoying yourself in extreme cold weather.
Ice climbing is a great way to enjoy the winter season, but it also requires some very specific gear. There is plenty of climbing gear that you can re-purpose if you are already a rock climber, but this list is designed to give you the ten essent...
Sometimes women want to be around other women when enjoying the great outdoors. There are many training programs available to women wanting to learn both rock and ice climbing. No matter what coast you reside on, you can reach one of these clinic...
The Petzl Elios climbing helmet is designed for maximum protection in a minimalist profile. Generous enough to wear over a winter hat for ice climbing and mountaineering, it also has an additional face shield for ice climbing. The adjustable chin...
Arc'teryx Gamma MX Softshell Pants, available in both men's and women's styles, are a versatile outer layer for active pursuits in colder temperatures. The pants are both water-resistant and breathable, and proper fit will accommodate a base laye...
The Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hoody, available in both men's and women's designs, is a breathable, water-resistant softshell jacket with hood. The inner fleece lining adds an extra layer of warmth, while the jacket's overall design is minimalist and all...
The Spectre Ice Piton from Black Diamond Equipment looks like the blade of an ice axe with a short straight blade going at a 90-degree angle to the ice blade and a sling attached to it. The Spectre is machined of chromoly. It weighs 130 grams (4....
Black Diamond Turbo Ice Screws are available in four lengths. They come in 13 cm (5.12 inches), 16 cm (6.3 inches), 19 cm (7.48 inches) and 22 cm (8.66 inches). The screws range in price from $39.95 for the 13 cm and 16 cm lengths to $44.95 for t...
Once you've used your crampons several times, they can get worn down. Using your crampons on mixed terrain with rocks, dirt and ice can wear down the original sharpness of your points. Sharpening your points can help keep your points even, ready ...
There are four alpine and four ice climbing rating systems used internationally. As always, climbing ratings are subjective systems of classifying a climb's difficulty and are rated assuming a climber has the proper equipment and that the weather...
Crampons are an amazing technology that enables mountaineers and ice climbers to reach remote peaks and scale vertical ice pitches. The design of crampons has improved over the decades, from a simple four point design to today's standard 12 point...
If you will be carrying an ax or axes on mountaineering or climbing trips, you'll soon learn that attaching one to your pack takes only a few seconds. Many packs are designed to accommodate mountaineering axes or vertical climbing axes. Some pack...
The practice of climbing on rock, ice and sometimes snow on the same route is known as mixed climbing. Alpinists often encounter conditions on peaks that call for both rock and ice climbing skills, sometimes within the same pitch. This is a creat...
Crampons are ancient tools that were originally worn by early inhabitants of the Caucasus more than 2,000 years ago. Over the years, crampon design has gone from simple iron spiked plates to a four-point crampon in the 19th century to 10-point cr...
Developing safe ice climbing skills can help you to reach the summits of alpine peaks that would otherwise be untouchable. Learning proper ice climbing skills can also take you to the realm of waterfall and mixed climbing. No matter what kind of ...
Learn how to care for and store crampons as well as tips and techniques for maintaining climbing equipment in this free video clip.
Learn how to care for and store an ice axe as well as tips and techniques for maintaining climbing equipment in this free video clip.
