Ice Climbing for the first time!!

[Christophe Noel]

Safety is "good".I have 2 little guys who need me around. I have been checking out places to "learn".Do you recommend buying any equipment over renting to start?

Definately rent if you can. Ice gear is spendy. Assuming you have full technical clothing and existing rock climbing gear, the addition of a full compliment of ice gear with boots will easily set you back a grand. Ice tools, crampons, boots and an alpine harness will be nearing $1000 aside from gloves, gators, jacket, pants, etc.

Rent, beg and borrow in the beginning.

 

[kellymoe]

Definately rent if you can. Ice gear is spendy. Assuming you have full technical clothing and existing rock climbing gear, the addition of a full compliment of ice gear with boots will easily set you back a grand. Ice tools, crampons, boots and an alpine harness will be nearing $1000 aside from gloves, gators, jacket, pants, etc.

Rent, beg and borrow in the beginning.

I have been seeing some very good deals on Ebay recently on ice tools both used and new. It seems there are new tools every season which is good if you dont mind using last seasons latest and greatest tools. Everyone is going leashless now and as a result some fine tools are selling at very good prices. You can find a fine set of tools for under $200, maybe cheaper right now.

Recently I have gotten some great deals on cams on ebay, cant wait to get out and start using them.

 

[viatierra]

Nice Nick!
I was treated to my one and only climb several years ago in the same area. Great White Icicle is what sticks to my mind... I'd have happily packed up my life and moved to SLC after that one. I'm jealous of the pictures. My one ice climb was such a mind blowing experience that it kills me I didn't take my camera.

Biggest difference for me that rock was the CONSTANT ice debris falling below. You must wear a helmet 100% of the time. Even on belay or just hanging out. I had big ol' chucks bouncing off my head all day long.

It's definately a different world that rock. You and I were lucky to have an expericed ice climber offer to take us out. I think it would be quite dangerous for a couple of novices to head out with gear and just try to figure it out. I keep telling myself to head up the Ouray Ice Festival one of these years. I'm sure it would be serious fun!

 

[Christophe Noel]

I have been seeing some very good deals on Ebay recently on ice tools both used and new. It seems there are new tools every season which is good if you dont mind using last seasons latest and greatest tools. Everyone is going leashless now and as a result some fine tools are selling at very good prices. You can find a fine set of tools for under $200, maybe cheaper right now.

Recently I have gotten some great deals on cams on ebay, cant wait to get out and start using them.

I wouldn't feel wierd going leashless in a park setting on top rope, but I like my leashes.

Boots and gloves are worth a splurge. There's nothing worse than sore piggies and fingers that feel like they're on fire.

 

[Tom B]

I have been seeing some very good deals on Ebay recently on ice tools both used and new. It seems there are new tools every season which is good if you dont mind using last seasons latest and greatest tools. Everyone is going leashless now and as a result some fine tools are selling at very good prices. You can find a fine set of tools for under $200, maybe cheaper right now.

Recently I have gotten some great deals on cams on ebay, cant wait to get out and start using them.

I'm curious, what's the impetus driving the leashless movement? It's been 2..no..3 years (argh) since I last did vertical ice climbing. Pretty sad since I'm only an hour away from RMNP. I really like the leashes and I think they add an additional safety factor.

 

[Tom B]

Safety is "good".I have 2 little guys who need me around. I have been checking out places to "learn".Do you recommend buying any equipment over renting to start?

Find an ice park. If you are ever in southwest Colorado during the winter, Ouray offers up a fantastic array of climbs just minutes from town. There is literally a long canyon chock full of routes (created by an overhead water pipe). The majority of the routes offer solid anchor points for top roping.

If you are into mountaineering as well, and an occasional vertical ice climber, you can go with a leather mountaineering boot (i.e. Sportiva Makalu) that are crampon compatible. You won't be able to front point as well on the vertical stuff, but you'll still be able to ice climb with them, glacier travel, and do winter/spring mountaineering ascents.

 

[grahamfitter]

I have always wanted to try...Is it more difficult than rock? I think this year I will try! Any advice?

Give the folks at IMCS in North Conway, NH a call - they do rock and ice climbing tuition and I think you can rent gear from them too. I know several people who have learned to climb ice (and rock) with IMCS and they all say good things.

Cheers,
Graham

 

[kellymoe]

Give the folks at IMCS in North Conway, NH a call - they do rock and ice climbing tuition and I think you can rent gear from them too. I know several people who have learned to climb ice (and rock) with IMCS and they all say good things.

Cheers,
Graham

Graham, your alive!! How was the trip. Email me with the details.

Kevin

 

[ClaraLondon]

wow thats really amazing Adventure trip. The pics are so clear and nice. Thanks for sharing us your great experience. I also want to go there and take this Adventure.

 

[jonepark]

Hi,
Wilman great photo's you have posted.By seeing this I am thinking to have a try.Now as you have some experience you can help me out that what things we should keep in mind while climbing.Which place was that at which you was climbing.Hope you will share your interest and knowledge with me.
Thanks.

 

[mandywilliams]

Guys, Keep us posted through pictures. That was great..

 

[Willman]

Right on guys!

It has been a little while.....I need to get back up there....

My brother-in-law could use the break!

:snorkel:

 

[barlowrs]

Congrats on the first time. I used to ice climb quite a bit and there is nothing like it. There is no comparison to trad climbing except that you are going up.

THe most rewarding thing is when you hit the ice ax in adn it stick perfectly, you know, it makes that special sound....you can always tell when you got it to stick from the sound.

 

[kellymoe]

I did a bit myself but living in So Cal it's tough to find. I found some good stuff up in Angeles Crest at Williamson Rock, and also the backside of Strawberry Peak. This thread is making me itch to get out and start again, maybe it's time for a trip up to June Lake or Lee Vining.

Congrats on the first time. I used to ice climb quite a bit and there is nothing like it. There is no comparison to trad climbing except that you are going up.

THe most rewarding thing is when you hit the ice ax in adn it stick perfectly, you know, it makes that special sound....you can always tell when you got it to stick from the sound.

 

[Superu]

By the way...if you're not top roping, falling on ice is just NOT an option. Ice screws and traditional ice pro work and are necessary, but screws pull with alarming frequency. I know two guys that have taken falls on the ice. One was climbing the Ames Ice Hose in Colorado and broke both his legs in 15 places. He walks with a cane. The other pulled three screws on a climb in Vail and decked out...on top of a pine tree. All he got was a big cut. Lucky.

X2

The big difference is that with rock climbing I can set a pretty solid anchor in rock.

On ice, once that first screw lets go, the rest want to come out like toothpicks out of an iced cake! :Wow1: