I've been reading about ice climbing today and thought I'd share some facts about this fascinating activity with you, the faithful readers of the Michael Tiplady blog! I've not tried it myself, but I reckon it could be really great fun!
While it seems ultra modern, ice climbing has actually been around a lot longer than you might think. Back in 1908, crampons were invented to aid climbers as they reached the ice-capped peaks of their chosen mountain. Today, it's a sport in its own right, with tons of thrill-seekers spending time hanging from the slippery slopes to get their kicks.
In competitive ice climbing, contestants are pitted against one another and against the clock. The basic idea is to use crampons and axes to scramble as quickly as possibly to the top of the ice wall. The climbers often hang upside down from their axes and spiked shoes, contorting their bodies into near impossible shapes to be crowned the winner.
At the Winter Olympics there will be three Canadian ice climbers showing off their talents in a cultural demonstration event. While ice climbing is great fun for thousands of people, it is yet to be recognised as an official winter sport. So this is the perfect way to bring it into the public psyche and to gain support for it.
I did see a rather terrifying video of a climber who fell down the side of a mountain after he was hit by a chunk of falling ice. His helmet camera captured the whole thing - you can watch it here. Thankfully he survived with just a few bruises and and a sprained ankle!
That aside, it's fast growing in popularity and I've read that Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Pontresina is an awesome place to get started this winter. The ice climbing classes in Pontresina takes place on a frozen waterfall in the heart of the village where danger is at an absolute minimum! Tools and protective gear are available to all visitors, so ice climbing needn't be a daunting prospect! A good level of cardio fitness and general strength is advisable though. I'll certainly be considering it!
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