Ice climbing: to the summit in snow and ice

Ice climbing – a winter wonderland and you’re right in the middle of it!
If the rock face on which you were able to enjoy climbing in summer is frozen over, there is still a sporty alternative – ice climbing.
Ice climbing is also a popular idea for a winter camping trip.
It allows you to experience your icy surroundings outside the roof tent.
But be careful: ice climbing is not entirely safe.
To help you prepare for this sporting experience in the midst of ice and snow, you can find lots of tips on the course, equipment and safety measures here.
You can find out more about climbing in general, including in summer, here: Learn to climb.

Like the climbing hall?
Only with ice and snow!

Ice climbing is a little more challenging.
When the temperatures in the mountains are below zero and the waterfalls freeze over, the ice climbing season begins.
You can enjoy this action-packed winter sport particularly well while winter camping.
When camping, you wake up directly in nature and stay in nature.
You will pass ice pillars, frozen waterfalls, icicles and glacier walls.
This ice-cold sport allows you to experience winter nature from a unique perspective and have an unforgettable adventure.
However, ice climbing not only allows you to experience nature and your surroundings intensively, but is also physically demanding.
You should therefore have at least some previous experience of climbing on unfrozen rock faces.

Snow, ice and mountain air: ice climbing for beginners

There are beginners’ courses for ice climbing.
There you will learn how to correctly assess the ice and snow and how to use special climbing equipment such as ice axes, crampons and ice screws.
Here you can see what you can expect on such a course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szCnU1BV6oI

Ice axe & crampons: How to climb on ice!

To climb up the ice, take turns hammering the two ice axes into the wall.
They should then usually get stuck in the ice.
However, you should lever them out vertically, as the metal tip can break off when wobbling back and forth.
Once an ice axe is firmly anchored in the ice, use your feet to climb up.
You should attach your climbing rope to the ice in between.
Smooth and firm ice is particularly suitable here so that you don’t fall down the whole mountain again in the event of a fall.
When ice climbing, the most important thing is to keep your nerve.
Fear of heights is very difficult here.
Only those who are fearless on the icy heights can do so safely.
That’s why you should climb the mountain calmly and slowly.
Take every step carefully to avoid making any hectic mistakes.
You should also have confidence in your equipment.
Panicked movements and mistakes can lead to falls.
This is how ice climbing works:

1. Banging an ice axe into the wall
2. Climbing with feet (crampons)
3. Secure the climbing rope in between
4. Keep your nerve & stay calm

Clothing, shoes & equipment: Snowproof

Of course, you also need to dress appropriately in snow and ice.
In addition to snow pants and a thick jacket, don’t forget your gloves.
Then there is the usual climbing equipment.
Climbing harness, ropes and helmet are particularly important.
The helmet should not have too large ventilation slits, as ice splinters can get through and cause serious injuries.
Once your head is secure, you will need ice axes and crampons.
Tip: Do not use climbing shoes with crampons.
It is best to wear sturdy mountain boots that are suitable for tilting levers.
The binding between the crampons and the boot is described as a “rocker”.
The binding holds the crampons to the shoe.
Incidentally, crampons should also have forward points for climbing.
As you are standing in front of the mountain, it is worth protecting the rail legs with so-called “gaiters”.
These covers ensure that the rail legs and shoes remain free of mud, stones and branches.
You can’t go wrong with this packing list.
Tip: If you print it out, you can tick off what you have packed.
Then you can always keep track of what’s still missing.

Dangers: breaking ice & risk of getting lost

Ice climbing offers the particular challenge that the environment is always changing.
While a rock face made of stone usually looks the same for several years, ice can change from one day to the next.
This sport therefore offers a lot of variety, but also poses its very own dangers.
You should therefore monitor the temperatures in the area.
If they have been below zero for a while, you can climb well and the ice is not too fresh.
If the temperatures are already above zero, you should no longer climb on the ice.
Be careful: You should not climb unknown routes alone.
A mountain guide can help you, especially on unfamiliar routes.
Especially as a beginner, it is helpful to be out and about with someone who knows the area.
That way you won’t get lost in the cold.
It is also helpful if you choose an area where you can abseil from above.
Then you can practise on shorter routes first and don’t have to make a complete ascent.
You should pay particular attention to these dangers when ice climbing:

• Environment changes
• Warm temperatures
• Not cold enough yet
• Do not climb alone
• Helpful: abseiling from above

Snow on the mountain: be aware of avalanche risk

It is also important that you always check the avalanche risk beforehand.
When ice climbing, you are pretty much defenceless against an avalanche.
You should also manage your strength realistically.
Fatigue can quickly become dangerous in the cold.
Ice climbers have already suffered frostbite as a result.
Always important in snowy mountain landscapes:

• Check avalanche danger
• Realistically assess your strengths
• Protect against frostbite

Places for ice climbing: Tyrol, Alps & Innsbruck

You will find many popular routes for ice climbing in these two regions.
These include the Alps in Germany and Austria and the Austrian region of Tyrol.

• Tyrol
• Alps

If you want to see even more of the area and head to a specific location, then these three suggestions are particularly popular for ice climbing:

• Surroundings Füssen
• Surroundings Innsbruck
• Surroundings Titisee

Summer or winter?
No matter, get on the mountain!

Still too long until winter?
No problem, classic climbing is of course also possible without ice and snow.
Find out here what you should bear in mind and the best way to learn:

• Learn to climb