| One of the most dangerous, yet exciting sport is ice | | | | their help, you should be able to climb up a 40-degree |
| climbing. It's actually an offshoot of mountain or rock | | | | ice slope without slipping. You also need belaying |
| climbing; the only difference is everything around you | | | | devices such as ice screws, harness and carabineers. |
| is covered with ice. People may wonder why others | | | | Helmets and boots are also must haves of an ice |
| would want to engage in such a sport and risk their | | | | climber. Of course, responsible climbers should bring |
| lives when there are less dangerous and less | | | | with them some first aid kits, extra food and warm |
| expensive sports. | | | | clothing. |
| Most people wouldn't understand, but for a climber, | | | | As an added tip, don't go buying cheap ice climbing |
| climbing on ice provides a feeling of independence. | | | | tools. Remember that these are the only things |
| When you're out there in the snow, with | | | | keeping you from falling. If you can't afford to buy |
| temperature very well below zero, you get to free | | | | good gears right now, then save your money until |
| yourself from all the tensions and problems of the | | | | you can. When you're hundreds of feet above the |
| world. It is important to know that climbing on ice | | | | ground and you're hanging on ice, you'll be grateful |
| isn't for everyone, thus, not everybody who goes | | | | you got yourself good ice gears. |
| out in the snow to climb will appreciate the sport. | | | | Ice climbing is definitely not for the faint hearted. It is |
| If you're thinking of going on an ice climbing | | | | a physically challenging sport. Not only will you need a |
| adventure, you need to learn the basics of climbing. | | | | pair of strong legs, but also good lungs. When you |
| You just don't go ahead and climb. It could risk your | | | | climb, make sure that you know your companions |
| life, or the lives of your companions. Climbing on ice is | | | | enough to trust them with your life. There are ice |
| a serious sport, and you need to invest, both in | | | | slopes that can't be climbed by individuals. Steep |
| terms of time and money. | | | | slopes require a group's collective effort. |
| There are several schools which offer crash courses | | | | Aside from physical strength, you'll also need good |
| on climbing. They give you an overview of how it is | | | | climbing techniques to climb up the ice. In high |
| to climb. They teach you the basic know-how and | | | | altitude, the air grows thinner, thus, you should make |
| offer to guide you along an easy ice climbing | | | | your moves as smoothly as possibly to conserve |
| expedition. Even if you want to take this sport as a | | | | your energy. Ice climbing classes will cost you several |
| one-time adventure only, you will still need a guide | | | | hundreds of dollars, but what you learn will be |
| during your trip. | | | | priceless. |
| Enthusiasts make ice climbing a lifetime pursuit. They | | | | The sport really requires an ice climber to take huge |
| allot several weekends during the winter just to | | | | risks. Any wrong move can cost somebody's life. |
| travel to places and climb the ice. Not only is the | | | | There's no way of accurately predicting the weather. |
| travel expensive, but the gears are also quite pricey. | | | | Nobody knows when an avalanche is coming. And if |
| If you want to climb steep ice slopes, you need | | | | the group's not familiar with the terrain, the snow |
| gears such as crampon and ice axes, on top of the | | | | could blot off the trail and you might find yourself |
| usual rock climbing gears. | | | | lost in a mountain of ice. |
| Before you try climbing on ice, some may suggest | | | | But if the group gets to the top safely, there is no |
| that you practice climbing on dry rocks in the | | | | feeling more satisfying. The peak provides a |
| summer. You should be able to master the necessary | | | | picturesque view of miles of unspoiled vast |
| skills of rock climbing such as belaying and tying | | | | mountains. And as an added bonus, having shared the |
| ropes. In this way, once you venture out on the | | | | dangers and risks of ice climbing, the group feels a |
| snow, you can focus on working your way with the | | | | stronger bond between them. |
| ice. | | | | Information on jellyfish season can be found at the |
| The basic ice climbing gears are crampons and ice | | | | About Animals site. |
| picks. These are sharp claws made of steel. With | | | | |