Ice climbing is an extremely fun activity that includes hiking, climbing strength and endurance, and cold weather. Every ice climb has some sort of an approach to it. An approach is the trail/distance from trailhead/parking lot to the actual frozen water fall. The approach can vary from half of a mile, to three miles of hiking before we ever actually start climbing. Once we start climbing, there is a good amount of down time for recovery, socializing, and refueling. It is important to take care of yourself before the climb and during the climb. What to wear, what to bring, what to eat before and after, and pacing yourself are all very important aspects of climbing that need to be taken seriously. Listed below are some suggestions for a successful ice climbing experience.
What to wear
Choosing attire for ice climbing is crucial in order to avoid extreme cold and possible hypothermia. The most important aspect of staying warm while ice climbing is keeping dry and cool. However, it is easy to get wrapped up in the approach, and not realize the rising temperatures of your body. This is why it is important to constantly gage your body and determine if you are over-heating and sweating. Sweating leads to a frigid day once you stop moving. Knowing when to take off extra layers/put on extra layers is a skill that comes from experience in cold weather approaches.
To help with staying warm and dry, dress yourself in layers. Use a wicking based fabric for your base layer (the layer closest to your skin). There are many different types of fabrics that wick the sweat from your skin to the outside of your clothes. Next, choose a layer that insulates the body, some sort of wool, polyester, or goose down works well. Finally, the outer layer should be a water-proof/wind-proof shell. As for the feet, choose a wool or other wicking fabric sock. If you have ice-climbing specific boots, bring them; if you don’t, bring a water-resistant stiff boot that will keep the cold/wet off of your feet, and offer support when climbing (snowboard boots will suffice). For your hands, it is important to bring a warm pair of gloves that is water-proof. In ice climbing, the only thing separating your hands from a thick sheet of ice is your glove. Your head should be covered with a ski/snowboard hat that is small enough to fit under a helmet. NEVER wear cotton on an ice climbing trip. Cotton absorbs wetness (perspiration) and holds it close to the skin. This water then gets very cold, even frozen, and then it is right next to your skin keeping you from staying warm.
Bringing extra clothing is always a good idea in case what you are wearing gets wet and cold. Two or three Extra socks, wicking layers, and especially hats are an excellent addition that will make your day of ice climbing more enjoyable.
If you are in the market for any of these items, check our gear links page where we provide links to some of the best websites for purchasing quality ice climbing gear/attire at a reasonable cost.