Ice climbing is a form of mountaineering that involves participants ascending inclined ice formations. Ice climbers may decide to climb frozen waterfalls, ice falls, or cliffs and slabs covered with layers of ice. This is a much more difficult task than climbing through snow. When studying the techniques and sport of ice climbing you will notice that there are two primary types of terrain: alpine ice and water ice. Alpine ice is found in a mountainous environment and this is usually the terrain most difficult to ascend. Water ice is typically found on a cliff or outcropping, somewhere around natural bodies of water. Simply put, water ice is a frozen flow of water, and has a different consistency than mountain ice, which is frozen precipitation.

Part of planning a successful ice climbing expedition will involve learning and adapting to the different types of ice; some ice fixtures are soft, others are very shaky and breakable and others are extremely hard. There are even frozen volcanoes in some countries!

How does one move around when walking on ice? The first step is to wear crampons, which are footwear specifically designed for walking on glacier mountains and other difficult terrain. Crampons have pointed metal parts on them, which helps to provide strong traction. Any other type of ice climbing equipment will depend on the texture and slope you encounter. For more difficult terrain, the climber may choose to where mountaineering boots along with crampons for additional support.

Other common ice climbing gear might include an ice axe, which can be used to chop steps and make the path more accessible. You may be surprised at how strong some layers of ice are. We might tend to think that a large axe would break a delicate layer of ice, right? However, not all ice is brittle and some grounds can withstand the full force of an ice climbing tool and carry the climber upwards, even if the sharp edge only penetrates a few centimeters.

Other ice climbing gear that is frequently used in climbing expeditions might include ice screws, ropes, chisels, snow pushers and hammers. Remember to dress for maximum insulation and bring a head covering. There is a lot of ice climbing equipment available and some of these conveniences will ease your mind. However, your ultimate survival and success will depend on your physical condition and mental faculties. You can find the best prices on climbing gear online.