1. All About Ice
Ice climbing is for the experienced climber only. If you have never participated in the sport, it's a good idea to take lessons first, and then go out on your first climb with someone who knows what they are doing. You can take one-on-one lessons, learn from a video/DVD or join a club, such as the Mountaineers, to learn about ice climbing. Gain ice climbing knowledge from reliable sources, including reputable books and magazines. Remember that hands-on learning is the best way to learn any extreme sport as long as you're learning from an expert.
2. Gearing Up for Ice
You need the right equipment for ice climbing. Besides an ice axe, technical ice tools, crampons and other necessary ice/mountain climbing gear, you'll need appropriate boots and clothing. Wear layered clothing to avoid not only getting too cold but also too hot. Overall, collecting all of the right equipment can be costly, but before investing too much in extras, find out if you really like ice climbing a lot first. Start out with the basics and necessities to begin with before making a commitment to ice climbing.
3. Don't Go It Alone
Once you have discovered you love ice climbing and have gained some confidence in your ice climbing abilities, find friends or others who're interested in joining you on your climbs. The buddy system is crucial for survival when weather suddenly changes for the worse or things go wrong otherwise. You don't want to find yourself stranded, alone and in need of help. If you're taking lessons one-on-one, remember that you're paying for the other person to be around during your training. You must plan for participating in safe ice climbing trips afterwards.
4. Tip-top Fitness Is Essential
Get in shape and maintain a regular aerobic exercise and strength conditioning routine. Ice climbing is a strenuous sport and requires a lot of both physical and mental stamina. If you don't like getting cold or staying outdoors for too long, think about participating in another type of sport. Most ice climbing trips last all day and require tons of preparation. Some trips last a few days and require overnight camping.
5. From First Aid to Snow Caves
It's important to have survival skills if you participate in any type of outdoor sport. Besides quickly changing weather, other situations can happen or change very quickly. Be prepared by learning and knowing certain survival skills. Many organizations that teach ice climbing and other outdoor sports require participants to first successfully complete a preliminary outdoor survival skills course. Learn what to do if you're suddenly stranded or hurt on an ice climbing run.
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