Ice climbing
Videos
Ice climbing is a climbing discipline that involves ascending routes consisting entirely of frozen water. To ascend, the ice climber uses specialist equipment, particularly double ice axes and rigid c
Xaver Bongard [de] on Crack Baby (350 metres, IV, WI6), Switzerland
![Xaver Bongard [de] on Crack Baby (350 metres, IV, WI6), Switzerland](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Xaver_Bongard_in_der_Breitwangflue.jpg/500px-Xaver_Bongard_in_der_Breitwangflue.jpg)
Lead climber on Symphonie d'Automne (135-metres, WI4), France, about to clip their rope into a quickdraw that is hanging from an ice screw that thay have inserted
Central Pillar (WI5+), Weeping Wall, Canada
Chéré Couloir (WI4 M3), France
Ice axe
Videos
An ice axe is a multi-purpose hiking and climbing tool used by mountaineers in both the ascent and descent of routes that involve snow or ice covered conditions. Its use depends on the terrain: in its
Ice climbing
…discipline that involves ascending routes consisting entirely of frozen water. To ascend, the ice climber uses specialist equipment, particularly double ice axes (or the more modern ice tools) and rigid crampons. To protect the route, the ice climber uses steel ice screws that require skill to employ safely and…
A removable snow basket accessory installed on an ice axe
A leather pick & adze guard installed on an ice axe
Jacques Balmat carrying an axe and an alpenstock
An 1872 diagram of ice axe design