What is mountain climbing

Definition: Mountaineering is the age-old activity ofclimbing. This is an important step to take before you
climbing up the steep slopes of a mountainside inbuy the gear. Guides have tools and crampons to try
hopes of reaching the summit. Mountain climbingout before you make your purchases.
encompasses numerous activities including snow, ice3. Make sure you enjoy the wild sport of climbing ice
and rock climbing as well as backpacking and snowbefore you buy all the gear. Some people learn that
camping.they would rather climb a warm dry rock in the sun.
Basic mountaineering generally entails climbing steep4. Set aside at least three to four weekends each
snow slopes with the aid of crampons and an icewinter to travel to a major ice climbing destination.
axe. A majority of introductory mountaineering is5. Major Destination #1: The Ouray Ice Park is
comprised mostly of hiking. This is one reason whylocated in the town limits of Ouray Colorado and is
many people start with mountaineering. It seems lessone of the most user friendly places to learn how to
intimidating than climbing vertical rock walls. Theclimb ice. Located close to Montrose, CO., Ouray is
difficulties of mountaineering lie not only in theeasily accessible and has plenty of accommodations
distance covered and elevation gained, but in theand natural Hot Springs as well.
environmental conditions encountered.6. Major Destination #2: The Canadian Rocky
A single day of mountaineering can include subzeroMountains have the largest quantity of water ice in
temperatures to extreme highs. Because thethe North American Continent. Banff National Park as
elements can turn a moderate slope into a greatwell as Jasper National Park are world class
challenge, prudent decision making skills and thedestinations.
proper gear is needed. Ropes and other technical7. Major Destination #3: Lee Vining, CA. California has
climbing equipment are required once the slope angleice? Sure it has ice, just not as much as Colorado and
and potential for a fall increases.Canada. Lee Vining is located on the Eastern side of
Many people begin mountaineering to add the spicethe Sierra Nevada mountains just outside of
of adventure to their modern day lives in a cultureYosemite National Park. The canyon has numerous
obsessed with safety. The rewards of climbing aflows of ice ranging from basic to advanced and is
mountain are many, and for this reason, peopleeasily accessible from Reno, NV. Pictures and
dedicate their lives to the pursuit of taller and moreinformation can be found at About MY
difficult peakAdventure.com and two great guide services are
Ice climbing is an offshoot of mountain climbing.Sierra Mountain Guides and California Alpine Guides.
Climbing ice started in the early days of mountainTips:
climbing as climbers encountered the hard water ice in1. Find a partner who has the desire to learn how to
the gullies and faces of their lofty objectives. Theice climb or hire a professionally certified guide.
techniques and the tools of the trade evolved with2. Purchase the ice climbing gear.
the difficulty of the ice attempted. The sport of3. Be smart, learn from the professionals and use
climbing frozen waterfalls blossomed with the adventyour best judgment
of the modern ice tool designed by Evon Chouinard inWhat You Need:
the early 1970's.Ice tools
Difficulty: HardCrampons
Time Required: A Couple of WintersA helmet
Here's How:A harness
1. Develop your basic rock climbing skills. Learn howWarm clothes
to belay, tie in to the rope and practice the basicSeveral pairs of gloves
movements of climbing indoors at a gym or outdoorsTechnical climbing gear including ropes, ice screws,
on rock.and rock climbing gear.
2. Hire an instructor to show you the basics of iceProper training in the use of ice climbing gear