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