SolveYourProblem Article Series: Extreme Sports
I Love The Adrenaline Rush Of Extreme Sports
The
Real Challenge of Ice Climbing
As far as the physical challenge, the focus, and determination
and, of course, the goal of ascending a nearly vertical surface,
ice climbing has certain similarities to rock climbing. A
major difference is that rock climbers have many natural
hand-holds to use while climbing, while ice climbers
make their own holds with ice axes (one in each hand) and
spikes
(called “crampons”) on the toes of their climbing boots. That, however, is just the beginning of the gear required
for ice climbers. There is the normal climbing (climbing
safely that is) gear such as harnesses, ropes and miscellaneous
things with cryptic names such as: “quick draws,” “shock
absorbing runners”, ”biners”, “leashes”, and “locking biners”.
In addition, there are specialized ice climbing gear such
as “ice screws”, “ice pitons”, and “ice screw clippers”.
The obvious extra requirement for ice climbing is the clothing
-- remember, you're climbing on the ice and the weather must,
by necessity, be cold enough to keep it ice. Included in
that clothing, something rock climbers don't necessarily
wear, is a helmet. Ice climbers need to worry about falling
chunks of ice more frequently than rock climbers worry about
falling rocks.
If you are climbing for the first
time, it is highly advisable
to be with either a professional guide or an experienced friend
who knows that you are an amateur. Climbing with an equally
inexperienced drinking buddy will almost certainly lead to
disastrous consequences. Ice climbing has a complete set of
potential hazards that an experienced hand can help you avoid.
Never, under any circumstances (or 'under any influence') climb
alone -- there are some sports that can be more enjoyable when
experienced alone with your thoughts, but climbing is not one
of them.
Another option (actually the best option) for the first-time
climber is joining mountaineering or climbing club. These clubs
always have professional instructors and, best of all they
might have access to an indoor climbing gym. Depending on where
you live, you might able to find a climbing gym near by. Unless
you live in an area where there is a big interest in ice climbing
(due to a nearby mountain), you may have to travel a bit to
find an indoor ice challenge.
Most
climbing gyms have special memberships for beginners. They realize that most people like to try something out before
making a major investment in equipment. An introductory package
at one of these climbing gyms may cost between $50.00 and $75.00
but it may also include equipment rental, an instructor's time
and time to practice. Not a bad deal, even if you have to travel
a couple hundred miles to get to it. You can make it into a
weekend adventure that is as much fun and as challenging as
a trip to an ice-clad mountain, while being a lot safer. The
climbing gym gives you a safe, controlled, convenient way to
not only learn what you will face in the “real world” -- on
the face of a mountain, but how to face it. Also, you will
learn what techniques work for what situations and also give
you a chance to make sure your body is up to the challenge.
Climbing is fun, no doubt about that, but it is a physical
challenge that is as rigorous as that of the cross-country
runner or the channel swimmer.
After completing one of these introductory climbing courses
at an indoor gym, you might consider taking some advanced courses
before tackling a mountain. Many climbing gyms offer classes
that will make you into a safer climber under almost any real-world
weather condition and classes that teach you to safely lead
groups up the mountain.
You'll find that your fellow ice-climbers have a strange sense
of humor and love to crack jokes about falling off the mountain,
but don't confuse that with a cavalier attitude or over confidence.
Their humor is usually just a cover-up for their healthy fear
and respect for the dangers of the sport. The 'secret' to being
safe in the sport of ice climbing is no more secret than it
is for any other sport: find a competent teacher, take what
he or she says very seriously, practice and focus on what you
are doing. You will be climbing in some of the most breathtakingly
beautiful environments you'll ever see. You may be able, occasionally,
to stop and drink in the beauty but when your are climbing,
when its you against the mountain, it is only a fierce determination
to make it to the top and an extreme focus on every movement
that advances you another foot, that will keep you safe.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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