| Definition: Mountaineering is the | | | | basics of ice climbing. This is an |
| age-old activity of climbing up the | | | | important step to take before you buy |
| steep slopes of a mountainside in hopes | | | | the gear. Guides have tools and crampons |
| of reaching the summit. Mountain | | | | to try out before you make your |
| climbing encompasses numerous activities | | | | purchases. |
| including snow, ice and rock climbing as | | | | 3. Make sure you enjoy the wild sport of |
| well as backpacking and snow camping. | | | | climbing ice before you buy all the |
| Basic mountaineering generally entails | | | | gear. Some people learn that they would |
| climbing steep snow slopes with the aid | | | | rather climb a warm dry rock in the sun. |
| of crampons and an ice axe. A majority | | | | 4. Set aside at least three to four |
| of introductory mountaineering is | | | | weekends each winter to travel to a |
| comprised mostly of hiking. This is one | | | | major ice climbing destination. |
| reason why many people start with | | | | 5. Major Destination #1: The Ouray Ice |
| mountaineering. It seems less | | | | Park is located in the town limits of |
| intimidating than climbing vertical rock | | | | Ouray Colorado and is one of the most |
| walls. The difficulties of | | | | user friendly places to learn how to |
| mountaineering lie not only in the | | | | climb ice. Located close to Montrose, |
| distance covered and elevation gained, | | | | CO., Ouray is easily accessible and has |
| but in the environmental conditions | | | | plenty of accommodations and natural Hot |
| encountered. | | | | Springs as well. |
| A single day of mountaineering can | | | | 6. Major Destination #2: The Canadian |
| include subzero temperatures to extreme | | | | Rocky Mountains have the largest |
| highs. Because the elements can turn a | | | | quantity of water ice in the North |
| moderate slope into a great challenge, | | | | American Continent. Banff National Park |
| prudent decision making skills and the | | | | as well as Jasper National Park are |
| proper gear is needed. Ropes and other | | | | world class destinations. |
| technical climbing equipment are | | | | 7. Major Destination #3: Lee Vining, CA. |
| required once the slope angle and | | | | California has ice? Sure it has ice, |
| potential for a fall increases. | | | | just not as much as Colorado and Canada. |
| Many people begin mountaineering to add | | | | Lee Vining is located on the Eastern |
| the spice of adventure to their modern | | | | side of the Sierra Nevada mountains just |
| day lives in a culture obsessed with | | | | outside of Yosemite National Park. The |
| safety. The rewards of climbing a | | | | canyon has numerous flows of ice ranging |
| mountain are many, and for this reason, | | | | from basic to advanced and is easily |
| people dedicate their lives to the | | | | accessible from Reno, NV. Pictures and |
| pursuit of taller and more difficult | | | | information can be found at About MY |
| peak | | | | Adventure.com and two great guide |
| Ice climbing is an offshoot of mountain | | | | services are Sierra Mountain Guides and |
| climbing. Climbing ice started in the | | | | California Alpine Guides. |
| early days of mountain climbing as | | | | Tips: |
| climbers encountered the hard water ice | | | | 1. Find a partner who has the desire to |
| in the gullies and faces of their lofty | | | | learn how to ice climb or hire a |
| objectives. The techniques and the tools | | | | professionally certified guide. |
| of the trade evolved with the difficulty | | | | 2. Purchase the ice climbing gear. |
| of the ice attempted. The sport of | | | | 3. Be smart, learn from the |
| climbing frozen waterfalls blossomed | | | | professionals and use your best judgment |
| with the advent of the modern ice tool | | | | What You Need: |
| designed by Evon Chouinard in the early | | | | Ice tools |
| 1970's. | | | | Crampons |
| Difficulty: Hard | | | | A helmet |
| Time Required: A Couple of Winters | | | | A harness |
| Here's How: | | | | Warm clothes |
| 1. Develop your basic rock climbing | | | | Several pairs of gloves |
| skills. Learn how to belay, tie in to | | | | Technical climbing gear including ropes, |
| the rope and practice the basic | | | | ice screws, and rock climbing gear. |
| movements of climbing indoors at a gym | | | | Proper training in the use of ice |
| or outdoors on rock. | | | | climbing gear |
| 2. Hire an instructor to show you the | | | | |