Rock and Ice Climbing Boston Message Board › Ice climbing FAQs
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Do I need rock climbing experience to go ice climbing?
Yes! For ice climbing, you need to know how to get in your harness and how to belay. Do I need to know how to belay for ice climbing? Absolutely yes! Do I need my own equipment? The minimal equipment you will need is HELMET, harness, belay device, crampons, warm clothing, second set of gloves What’s this helmet talk about? One of the biggest danger in ice climbing is falling ice and it is falling down all the time. If you go ice climbing with us, you have to have a climbing helmet. No helmet sharing. You have to wear your helmet at all times. I don’t have a climbing helmet. Can I bring some kind of other helmet? No! Climbing helmets are specifically designed to protect your from stuff that falls on your head while most other helmets are designed to protect you when you hit stuff. So, where do I get a helmet then? You can probably rent one at REI Reading, EMS or IME North Conway, or just ask ahead of time if one of your fellow climbers has a spare one that you could borrow for the day. What about ice tools? Yes, you need some. But unless you are doing multi pitch ice, you can share them. So, generally speaking, for TRing, you do not need your own tools. But if you have some, bring them. If you want to rent them, you can check REI Reading and EMS and IME in North Conway. I get cold easily, what should I do? Dress in layers, bring chemical hand warmers and insulated bottles that are filled with HOT water (or tea, or cocoa, or soup,…). Bring a hat that fits underneath your helmet and possibly covers your ears. Bring a second pair of gloves. If your first pair of gloves got wet, stick them under your shirt. They may not dry completely, but they will be warm at least. Ice flew in my face and I am bleeding! You got ice kissed. Happens all the time. If you want to you can wear some safety goggles from the hardware store. Go for the anti-fog ones. Anything else I need to know? If you don’t feel in good hands – walk away! Participation is at your own risk and you signed a wave when you signed up for this meetup group. |