| Mountain climbing locations vary in altitude but many | | | | have teeth on one end and a hook on the other end. |
| of them are in of sub zero temperatures. There are | | | | They're placed and secured into the ice and the hook |
| different techniques required for climbing in ice | | | | on the ice screw is for attaching to. The ice itself is |
| covered terrain and it's much different than climbing in | | | | sometimes used as a pro. There are two common |
| dry terrain. While it is more challenging than other | | | | methods; the V-thread and the Bollard method. In |
| forms of climbing, ice climbing can be the most | | | | the V-thread method, a pair of holes are drilled |
| rewarding and exhilarating. Many techniques that are | | | | diagonally into the ice and their holes connect to |
| used in other types of climbing are used in ice | | | | make a "V" shape. A sling is threaded and then |
| climbing but the challenge is altogether different. | | | | attached to a rope and harness. The ice is quite |
| There are definite differences in the equipment used | | | | strong and there is little risk of giving way. With the |
| for ice climbing. For example, ice climbing boots | | | | Bollard method a rope hold is carved into the ice and |
| require more insulation than for alpine climbing since | | | | a rope is looped over the piece of ice. The ice is |
| it's important to keep ice and snow from entering | | | | strong enough to hold one or two climbers depending |
| the boot. Spiked soles that clamp to the soles of | | | | on their weight. There is a risk to using ice as a pro |
| your boots, called crampons are required for keeping | | | | since it is an unpredictable medium but many climbers |
| traction on the ice. There are special techniques used | | | | prefer it. Ice climbing utilizes many of the same |
| for trekking on ice. Using a large ice pick, you use an | | | | techniques as traditional climbing but with some |
| overhead swing to penetrate the ice in front of you. | | | | different equipment. Many climbers find that ice |
| When you've determined it's secure, you kick your | | | | climber is more adventures and provides them with a |
| crampon fitted boot into the ice. Once you are sure | | | | more rewarding feeling. If you're a climber, you |
| you're secure these two steps are repeated. While | | | | should give ice climbing a try for a true adrenaline |
| hiking and climbing, a pro is used much like in | | | | rush. |
| traditional climbing but the protective devices used in | | | | Greg Hansward routinely edits reports on areas |
| ice climbing take on a different aspect. Single, twin | | | | relating to Denia and Alicante. You might find out |
| and double rope ascents are still used but ice screws | | | | more about his abstracts on javea spain and Denia |
| are commonly used. Ice screws are hollow tubes that | | | | on his site. |