Mountain climbing offers numerous possibilities. Ice climbing, which takes place in a specific area, offers new alternatives for this discipline. One of these is called vertical ice climbing. Climbing vertical ice walls presents a true challenge for physical preparation and climbing techniques, both important aspects for this sport. This sport's popularity is greatly due to the evolution of climbing techniques as well as technical improvements of ice tools making materials lighter, more resistant and better at adapting to varying ice conditions as well as levels of difficulty.
In order to climb an ice wall, the progression technique is used, in which the feet and hands are not directly involved in sustaining the body. Instead, one's entire weight is placed on ice axes and crampons. The climber must not only use appropriate techniques but also strength and endurance in order to place ice tools accurately, thereby driving in the ice axe in the appropriate spot. In rock climbing, one looks for existing points of support, which generally differs from ice climbing, in which the climber constructs points of support with the aid of his or her tools.
Due to its twelve spikes, crampons are the major points of support which allow the arms to rest avoiding numbness and fatigue. The climber's welfare is ensured with dynamic ropes with are hooked on to the ice screws with quick-draws for safety and confidence. These safety instruments in addition to the harness, thick stiff boots and waterproof clothing, make up the necessary equipment for an ice climber.
For those who like mountain climbing and especially for those seeking thrills, we invite you to experience this new exciting sport which will provide you with great pleasure, contact with nature and lots of adrenalin. With the absolute confidence and safety that only our expert MOUNTCLIMB TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE guides can offer, you will be instructed in the usage of ice tools and basic techniques for practicing this sport. Attempting it will be your motivation and you will surely enjoy contact with this new world filled with ice crystals that creak and burst every time tools strike the surface, filling us with excitement upon breathing nature's freshness, ever transparent and crystalline. It is capable of soothing our fears and turning them into gasps of anticipation and enthusiasm as we strive to reach the highest point.
Cordillera Blanca offers us several different possibilities for practicing this sport which differ in degrees of difficulty and height. We can find ice walls from 60 to 100° of inclination ranging from 20 to 200m in height of vertical ice.
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