Ice climbing, similar in technique to rock climbing, is a sport where the climber must ascend sloping ice formations. Ice climbing is divided into two categories, Alpine Ice, generally found in mountainous environments, is an ice formed by frozen precipitation. Water Ice, found beneath water flows, or on cliffs, is an ice formed as implied, the freezing of a water flow. The consistency of either ice ranges from hard to soft, or can be either tough or brittle. Consistency varies dependant upon the surrounding weather and temperature conditions.

Another shared aspect, like Rock Climbing, Ice climbing too has grading called Waterfall Grading, which was adapted from the Waterfall grading system used in the Canadian Rockies. This Canadian Rockies grading system focuses on the pitch steepness and not the more subjective aspects (i.e. technical difficulty, feeling of difficult). Ice grading, over other Media of climbing, is subjective and tend not to mirror the degree of complexity of a route at any given time due to the diminishing intricacy after each ascent. Each climb causes cleaning of the chandeliered ice as well as the forming of hooks caused by the tools used, making tool placement and cleaning much less difficult.

The equipment used varies upon the degree of slope and ice texture. For glacier travel, general-purpose crampons (outdoor footwear made from spikes, worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice) are generally used, however for steep, long slopes or vertical climbing, specialized crampons for front pointing are better advised for a safe ascent.. Front pointing is the technique when the climbers must kick their legs forward to incorporate the crampons front points into the ice, and swinging the axe into the ice above their heads. On low angled slopes, one can simply use an ice axe to notch the steps. On vertical climbs, the specialized crampons and ice axes, better known as ice tools when relating to vertical climbs are used in conjunction with front pointing.

Knowledge and techniques imperative to the ice climber are lowering, tying in, leading, abseiling, belaying and the foundation of all safe climbs, rope systems! The single, used for straight climb routes, is the most commonly used system in the world today. Double, also often used in climbing, is more flexible than the single system. The method not commonly used in climbing is the twin rope system. The twin system uses a single rope system with two twin ropes.

Lowering is most executed method of getting down when the belayer is at the base of the vertical wall ensuring a safe descent. Tying in, attaching your rope to the climbing harness using the tie in knot figure of eight follow through. After tying in, a belay loop will contain the belay device as needed. The figure of eight follow through knot is identical to the figure of eight loop except for the method of tying.

Leading refers to taking point and leading the climb which requires placing protection while ascending until reaching the top. Abseiling or rappelling uses a single rope to descend, either after a finished climb or to explore new routes. On a running belay, the leader of the climb puts protection and clips the rope through the next climber will remove the protection. Fixed belays require a belayer, a belay anchor, and points of protection. In conclusion, for those whom will, Ice Climbing can be rewarding, but seek the training from the pros before attempting the ice.

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