Mountain climbing locations vary in altitude but many of them are in of sub zero temperatures. There are different techniques required for climbing in ice covered terrain and it’s much different than climbing in dry terrain. While it is more challenging than other forms of climbing, ice climbing can be the most rewarding and exhilarating.
Many techniques that are used in other types of climbing are used in ice climbing but the challenge is altogether different. There are definite differences in the equipment used for ice climbing. For example, ice climbing boots require more insulation than for alpine climbing since it’s important to keep ice and snow from entering the boot.
Spiked soles that clamp to the soles of your boots, called crampons are required for keeping traction on the ice. There are special techniques used for trekking on ice. Using a large ice pick, you use an overhead swing to penetrate the ice in front of you. When you’ve determined it’s secure, you kick your crampon fitted boot into the ice. Once you are sure you’re secure these two steps are repeated.
While hiking and climbing, a pro is used much like in traditional climbing but the protective devices used in ice climbing take on a different aspect. Single, twin and double rope ascents are still used but ice screws are commonly used. Ice screws are hollow tubes that have teeth on one end and a hook on the other end. They’re placed and secured into the ice and the hook on the ice screw is for attaching to.
The ice itself is sometimes used as a pro. There are two common methods; the V-thread and the Bollard method. In the V-thread method, a pair of holes are drilled diagonally into the ice and their holes connect to make a “V” shape. A sling is threaded and then attached to a rope and harness. The ice is quite strong and there is little risk of giving way. With the Bollard method a rope hold is carved into the ice and a rope is looped over the piece of ice. The ice is strong enough to hold one or two climbers depending on their weight. There is a risk to using ice as a pro since it is an unpredictable medium but many climbers prefer it.
Ice climbing utilizes many of the same techniques as traditional climbing but with some different equipment. Many climbers find that ice climber is more adventures and provides them with a more rewarding feeling. If you’re a climber, you should give ice climbing a try for a true adrenaline rush.

Kayaking on Ha Long Bay. Photo by Indochina Sails

Megan and I finished our time on the SE Asian continent in style cruising around Halong bay on a luxurious Chinese Junk. Although we weren’t at any time under actual sail power it still had masts and was quite authentic. We spent the afternoon sailing into the heart of the 2000 islands that populate the bay. We ate a delicious lunch served in traditional communal bowls and then disembarked for a couple hours of kayaking.(see picture) We kayaked through some caves and into a serene cove which is only accessible through caves. Our trip was organized by two guides one a westerner from London who had decided to spend a couple weeks working for this company and the other a Vietnamese man named Viet they were both in their early twenties. Megan and I were accompanied by 21 other backpackers from all over the globe we had Brits, Scots, Brazilians, Quebecois, Americans, and one guy from Mexico They were all ready for fun and really a great group of people to spend a couple of days with. During our time in the cove some one managed to capsize there kayak which wouldn’t be a problem for a standard sea kayak but these were actually river kayaks and therefore didn’t float. It took 20 minutes and some delicate footwork and razor sharp rock but it was eventually drained and back afloat. Although the delay put us behind schedule and late for the rendezvous with the Jolly Roger we did get to catch a glimpse of a monkey which happened to swing down from the top of one the surrounding ridges to investigate the commotion below. Back aboard the boat we settled into our respective cabins to shower up for dinner and a spectacular sunset. After dinner we spent the evening taking part in various drinking games and other intelligent discourse. Eventually the night digressed to feats of bravery and we began leaping off the top of the boat into the dark waters below. The following day we fought through varying levels of hangover and trekked up a slippery slope to the top off a picturesque peak. Most of us didn’t think that was good enough so we climbed up an ancient tower tower which stood atop the hill. It was very very rusted and had a nerve racking creak to it whenever the wind picked up.(also it was missing two steps on of which the top step was about 120ft above the jungle canopy. We are now in Indonesia, Jakarta to be specific and are seriously contemplating a spur of the moment flight straight to Bali. It’s not that we don’t like the city, although the rats are brave enough to walk to streets in broad daylight, we just want to be in a fun beach town for the final full moon of our trip which happens to be tomorrow night. We’ll let you know if we make it by for now.Source: Travelblog