Best ice climbing equipment for beginners. See full list on climbing. If you are just starting out and already own mountaineering crampons, you may be able to use your existing crampons for ice climbing, but as you progress, you may want something more suited to climbing on steep ice. In addition to an ice axe, having the right ice climbing gear can enhance your climbing experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, this equipment list will help you prepare for your next mountain climbing adventure. One of the most critical pieces of equipment for ice climbing is a reliable set of ice tools. Feb 16, 2025 · While it may seem intimidating at first, ice climbing is an accessible sport for those willing to learn the basics and invest in proper training. Getting Started Climbing Ice. Ice Tools. . Crampons provide traction on ice and snow, essential for climbing steep slopes. Nov 26, 2022 · As one of the best modular crampons out there, the Petzl Lynx doesn’t disappoint whether you’re climbing a glacier or hiking on mixed terrain. ( 15 minutes read ) Mar 24, 2022 · Want to challenge your climbing skills this winter? Bring the best ice climbing gear to push the limits on a frozen waterfall near you. com But transitioning from your standard rock climbing kit to ice climbing requires a lot more thought. A good place to start is by formulating a basic ice climbing loadout; All the gear that you need (and nothing you don’t) for a typical day out ice climbing in the most average of weather and ice conditions. Steep snow and ice climbing performance are some of the most essential attributes of an ice axe. Nearly all of the axes in Petzl’s lineup have the same head attachment point. 4 Dry Climbing Rope ($330) Most Durable: Mammut Alpine Core Protect ($218) Best Gym Rope: Metolius Monster Gym Rope ($102) Best Workhorse: Singing Rock Hero 9. The Petzl Nomics are my top choice for their precision, versatility, and ergonomic design. 0 draws feature large carabiners while still pulling off a svelte overall weight, and they work beautifully on both waterfall ice and high mountain routes. Jul 5, 2023 · The four gear loops are quite small, so it’s not a good choice for trad climbing or ice climbing. Simply put, we carry an ice axe for various reasons, but the two most important jobs are to help us not fall and to help us stop if we do fall. Find quality tools on this equipment list for beginners. In this guide, we’ll look at the best climbing harnesses for beginners, helping you find the perfect one for your needs. Crampons are a series of sharp metal teeth that attach to your boot and bite at ice or hard snow for added traction. 6 ($200-240) Best Safety Feature: Trango Red Flag Agility 9. 2 ($245) Best High-End Redpointer: Black Diamond 9. One of the best things about ice climbing is getting to explore some of the world's most beautiful and unique places. Sep 24, 2022 · Ice climbing requires the use of special equipment, such as ice axes, ice screws and crampons, as well as standard climbing equipment such as ropes and a belay device. The ice conditions can vary depending on weather patterns, making each climb unique and challenging. Similarly to ice tools, the crampons best suited to ice climbing are different from those used for mountaineering. With 14 spikes on each foot, you’ll have enough traction for mild slopes, vertical walls, and everything in between. Like I said, this is stuff that you’ll need to bring with you every time you go ice climbing. Ice Climbing Gear: Complementary Equipment. May 27, 2025 · Ice climbing needs the right gear to keep you safe and comfortable. 5 ($28o) Climbing Ropes 101 Mar 3, 2023 · Ice climbing gear needs to be both super light (given the extra weight of crampons, screws, and tools in your pack) and easy to use with gloves on. In this guide, we list the best ice climbing harnesses available today. Jan 8, 2023 · Crampons. The success and safety of any ascent hinge directly on the performance and reliability of the tools employed. Shop REI's selection of ice-climbing gear. However, taking a specialized ice climbing course is definitely the best approach. Jan 14, 2018 · An in-depth ice climbing packing list with gear suggestions, product reviews and a downloadable check list to ensure you have all the essential gear for your next ice climbing adventure. Sean McNally Mar 11, 2024 · Popular Ice Climbing Destinations. Proper equipment not only improves performance but also ensures safety in challenging conditions. Jan 4, 2025 · Essential Ice Climbing Gear. This ice climbing guide covers all the essentials of what you need to know to get started. If you're looking to get out on the rock for a bit less, we recommend the Petzl Sama , which is affordable, comfortable, and good for sport or trad climbing. Jan 2, 2025 · I’ve been chasing frozen formations to climb for decades. Individual Technical Gear First, let’s talk about the individual technical gear. 3 oz: Beginner, sport climbing: Adjustable Leg Loops, Bullhorn-shaped waist belt Jun 10, 2024 · Understanding Ice Climbing. Originating in the early 20th century as a way for mountaineers to access higher elevations, ice climbing has since evolved into a challenging and popular activity worldwide. Apr 4, 2025 · This model is versatile enough for nearly any style of climbing (even ice climbing) and offers four great gear loops to easily grab and stash your gear. Ice climbing requires specific gear designed for icy conditions: Ice Tools: Short, curved tools with sharp picks for precise placements. Climbing Helmet. Mountaineering Boots: Insulated and rigid to securely attach crampons. Make sure you look into any “extras” that a guiding service may provide, like gear and transportation. I started making forays into the 49th state in the ’90s. Apr 24, 2025 · Best Lightweight All-Rounder: Fixe Oliana 9. Ropes were fat, and ice climbers tethered straight-shafted axes to their wrists. Dec 21, 2022 · From ice screws to crampons, this is the ice climbing gear you need to have. They also focus on lightweight materials that won’t weigh you down. Crampons. Here, a climber works their way up vertical ice with two axes, crampons toe-in to the ice. Jun 28, 2023 · Ice climbing is an exhilarating winter sport that involves scaling frozen waterfalls, ice formations and steep ice-covered cliffs using specialised equipment. One of the most important items is your harness. A good harness should be strong, light, and easy to adjust. (However, the Solution Guide model, below, fixes this, with an additional fifth gear loop and oversized front loops). More experienced climbers may be interested in the one-day Ice Leader Course designed to provide the skills and training towards becoming a lead climber on single-pitch ice climbing May 17, 2025 · Whether it’s your first time climbing or your 100th, when the slope is steep or there’s ice and hard pack underfoot, there’s one thing you need more than anything: crampons. Dec 9, 2024 · rent ice climbing equipment. A climbing helmet is an essential piece of equipment for any mountain climber. Crampons: Rigid or semi-rigid crampons with front points for stability on vertical ice. It must fit well over winter clothes. Nov 29, 2023 · Essential Ice-Climbing Gear Image by Maël Balland 1. This beginner’s guide to ice climbing covers everything you need to know to get started, including essential gear, fundamental techniques, safety tips, and the best places to climb. Ice climbing can be broadly divided into two main categories: Waterfall Ice Climbing: This form of ice climbing involves ascending frozen waterfalls or ice-covered cliffs. The best crampons for ice climbing are: Best overall: Black Diamond Cyborg; Runner Up: The Grivel Rambo; Runner Up: The Petzl Dart; Best for Mountaineering: The Petzl Lynx; Best for Beginners: The Grivel-G14 Cramp-O-Matic; When selecting the best ice climbing factors, I looked at a variety of things including the versatility of the crampon, its Jun 5, 2025 · All-around climbing, gym climbing, beginners: Fixed leg loops, simple, no-frills design: Black Diamond Momentum: $65 12. Jun 9, 2025 · Ice climbing, a discipline demanding both physical prowess and specialized equipment, necessitates a meticulous approach to gear selection. Ice climbing typically brings to mind frozen waterfalls. It protects your head from falling rocks, ice, and other debris, as well as from impacts during falls. Although ice climbing can be more dangerous than other forms of climbing, with the right guidance, it can also be a fun and rewarding experience that allows climbers to explore Jun 24, 2024 · Best for Technical Alpine Climbing: Blue Ice Choucas Pro; Best for Mountaineering: Petzl Altitude; Best for Projecting: Arc’teryx AR-395a; Best For Multi-Pitch: Petzl Sitta; How I Tested the Best Climbing Harnesses The author climbed and performed crevasse rescue training in the best climbing harnesses. From the huge ice walls of the Canadian Rockies to the remote mountain faces of Patagonia, there are so many amazing destinations that offer awesome ice climbing for climbers of all skill levels. The Wild Country Helium 3. There’s a lot that goes into ice climbing, including various skills, gear, and safety knowledge. May 23, 2025 · The one-day Ice Climbing Essentials is an ice climbing excursion suitable for beginners offered after the Southern Ontario Ice Climbing Festival in mid-February. For example, the guiding service I work for also offers ice climbing equipment rentals. Some just give you a guide for a day; others will get you to and from the site and/or rent you all the gear you need. Individual technical gear is mostly what you use to ascend the pitch of ice in front of you, which requires specialized tools designed for vertical ice climbing. It also needs space for gear like ice screws and carabiners. To test this, we climbed snow and steep ice to test functionality. Climbing alpine ice, though, can also include walking flat-footed with crampons and a single ice axe. Apr 30, 2025 · Beginner harnesses are designed to be user-friendly, offering easy adjustments and a snug fit. You need them when ice climbing and for rugged backcountry skiing because you may not be able to Jan 28, 2022 · Steep Ice and Snow Climbing. mrd estsi mof bhloug erfq llgbigva iyl hkwpp ggsas xgzekt