| Ice climbing is potentially very dangerous. This | | | | use when ice climbing can vary greatly. There are |
| inherent danger means that it is very difficult to | | | | many routes in Scotland for which you will need a |
| safely make the initial steps whilst remaining | | | | full rack of traditional rock gear as well as a full |
| relatively safe. | | | | rack of ice screws. There are also pure ice |
| If you are starting to climb in winter then it will be | | | | routes, especially in the Alps, which will require just |
| a big advantage to have some rock climbing | | | | ice screws. Finding reliable protection is often one |
| experience behind you. Though they are obviously | | | | of the most challenging parts of ice climbing and is |
| very different, rock climbing and ice climbing are, | | | | a skill which takes a long time to master. |
| in some ways, very similar. They use the same | | | | There are however ways that you can safely |
| rope techniques, fitness and determination as | | | | begin to learn these skills for yourself. The most |
| each other as well as negotiating many of the | | | | valuable and effective tool in learning to ice climb |
| same inherent dangers. | | | | will be a qualified guide. There are hundreds of |
| If you understand the basic rope techniques | | | | very experienced guides in all of the major ice |
| associated with rock climbing and understand how | | | | climbing venues in the world. A day with a guide |
| to keep yourself safe then you will progress far | | | | will most often consist of you following them up a |
| more easily, and safely, on ice. | | | | route. They will lead each pitch and you will follow |
| Though they are similar in some ways, the | | | | in relative safety getting used to the movement |
| movement skills involved in ice climbing are very | | | | and protection involved. Once you feel |
| different. In rock climbing you use your hands and | | | | comfortable doing this they may suggest that |
| sticky rubber to climb a route. Ice climbing uses | | | | you lead an easy pitch. A few days with one of |
| crampons and ice axes. The nature of the ice and | | | | these guides will give you the experience and skills |
| these tools mean that when climbing, you need to | | | | that you need to progress on your own. |
| keep each limb very still. As a result Ice climbing is | | | | As with rock climbing, ice climbing is a very |
| far less dynamic that rock climbing and each | | | | intimidating discipline to get into. With the correct |
| placement is made with much more care and | | | | instruction however it can be a very enjoyable |
| caution. | | | | experience. |
| Depending on the route, the protection that you | | | | |