Hey guys! I’m completely new to ice climbing and will be doing my first trip (it’s actually a mix of ice and rock climbing) in the adirondacks in January. I’ve been trying to figure out what gloves I’ll need and am totally confused! Can anyone tell me what types and how many of each pair of gloves I’ll need to have for a mixed ice climbing trip that will involve ice climbing, rock climbing, belaying and a bunch of waiting around? As far as I can tell through my research so far, I’ll need two pairs of wool glove liners, climbing gloves (I’ve seen a lot about the showa fishing gloves, a pair of belay gloves and maybe just a super warm pair of mittens? Not sure if I need anything for the mixed/rock portion. Any thoughts along with specific glove brand recommendations for any of the above glove types would be appreciated as well! Thank you!

What are the classic ice lines around the Oisans region (Isere, France). Skitour approach possible.

Are they formed a lot during the average winter?

Which guidebook should I buy. I live in Bourg d'Oisans.

I have tried on the ususal suspects. La Sportiva's cubes and g-techs. Scarpa's Mont Blanc Pro and Phantom Teck HD. The Cubes being the best of them.

I have an old pair of Scarpa Phantom Guide (orange and black) that I got cheap used and my first mountaineering trip they distroyed my feet. I had sized them down in the hopes to lock in the heal but they they ended up being too short, a bit too narrow in the tow box and still had enough heal lift that I got blisters on my heals. I find my heals dont fit scarpa too well in general.

My current pair are the La Sportiva Cubes that I got new, I have been out ice climbing once with them so I can still return them to MEC. I think If I am willing to cram my wide-ass foot into something clearly too narrow they might work. However to prevent heel lift I needed to sinch the laces down so tight that the two fabric lace tabs in the centre (black part) of the boot were touching. My worry is that when the boots pack out they will no longer be tight enough. I have more then enough length but if I size down they get even more narrow. (I also already had the 'additional tongue' in the boot for less volume.)

I tried on a pair of Boreal Stetind in Canmore and they seemed to have a wider last, but I coulnt find much info on them online. other then one quite unflattering review.

If anyone has suggestions of other boots I should try or if you know more about the Boral I'm all ears!

Ps. I am in Calgary Alberta but dont mind a trip to Canmore to get some good boots.

Hello all, it's the winter and now I have the itch to try something new in the cold :)

I am a climber in the UK mostly having done sport and seconding multi pitches in the summer. This Feb I am interested in starting to do some winter climbing. My question is: Do I start with some winter mountaineering courses in Scotland or can I go straight to ice climbing? I've seen some courses in Kyrgyzstan for ice climbing which is very exciting...

Scotland mixed winter mountaineering Guided 3 days ~£1100 (1:1) Driving up takes 10 hrs or so

Kyrgyzstan ice climbing course Guided 1 week ~£1300 (Group 1:3or4)

I hope someone can relieve me of this misery of choosing between the two! I don't have any experiences with ice axes nor crampons so I am also wondering where to start

Is one more dangerous than the other? Is it wise to fly so far to do ice climbing for the first time?

Hi I wanted to asked what you guys think about those tools are they good for a beginner wanted to do some single/multipich climbs and and maybe progress in too some more alpine routes and doing some drytooling and mixed routes. Planing to stick with only ice for now. What do you guys think are they a good fit? They are 170€ and were used 2 times in the ice.

(26M) looking for a climbing partner in SE Idaho, N Utah, or W Wyoming. Dm me if interested.

I'm looking for sizing advice for the Showa Temres 282-02 gloves as I can't find a sizing guide online. How do they fit? I don't have a tape measure but my palms are about 9cm across. I also have a pair of BD Punishers in XL for reference.

Thanks.

Edit: A lot of responses, thanks for all the suggestions!

Hi ice climbers of Reddit! My dad is super into ice climbing and goes on multiple of these climbing trips a year. He is fortunate enough to have the funds to buy everything he needs. As far as I know, he has all the required gear and accessories. I would love to get him a unique ice climbing themed gift for the upcoming holidays, but I don’t know the sport well enough to come up with anything and a google search just results in what appears to be all the equipment he already has. Does anyone have any ideas for a gift? Preferably under $100. Thank you!

Does someone know the conditions on Lines like Holzknecht Couloir, Snowborder, Jumbo Jet or Flute Magico. thanks in advance :)

Looking for an ice climbing partner in SE Idaho/Teton area. DM if interested.

I purchased the Arc’teryx acrux ar gtx. I bought a size usm9/usw10. I received a 43 1/2, or a 9.5m/10.5w

So they are obviously a different size shoe, but they don’t seem too big. I am trying to figure out if these are the right size, or if I need to return them and get a smaller size. I feel like I’m predisposed to thinking they’re bigger just because of the labeled size.

They’re a pain to get on and off, which I’m taking as a good sign. My toes are not hitting the toe box, and my heels are in the heel well. They seem like a slightly on the larger side right fit, so to speak. If I kick, my toes don’t hit the front of my boot, and I can contort my foot to slightly leave my heel well, but otherwise they stay put.

I’m wearing a wool sock and they seem solid, perhaps slightly big in a super thin sock. I’m aiming to climb this weekend so I’m feeling a bit pressed but I’m willing to skip the weekend to purchase a different size. I really don’t want to purchase multiple and try them on side by side, and I’m not super opposed to keeping them and replacing in a year or so if I feel they’re the wrong size.

Do these sound like the right fit? Is there another test I can try? Has anyone gone through the Arc’teryx return process after trying them?

Hey everyone, thinking about heading up to Hyalite next week/weekend and would love to find some partners to climb with! I'm generally pretty new to ice climbing but have climbed a few alpine routes and followed a WI3 route last weekend and felt pretty good on it. I spend a good amount of time in the backcountry skiing and mountaineering and am generally comfortable in the mountains and high stress situations. Let me know if you want to get out! Photo from the WI3 waterfall last week

https://preview.redd.it/b5rw2fckfp3e1.jpg?width=768&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0468616d422780c5c19cf6fa2393347eeb9897e

Tldr need advice on what gear to buy/bring to a class that includes technical gear such as gloves, pants, jacket etc. Obviously food, water etc, but clueless on what else as I don't ski or do any outdoor winter sports.

Hi all,

Have been indoor climbing for a few months now and even got outdoors once.

Taking a beginner ice climbing class (9-4pm) at Cathedral Ledge in NH in early February. Class Includes All Technical gear as needed - Boots, Crampons, Ice Axes, Helmet, Harness, Ropes - and guides.

It doesn't include any of the stay warm gear like pants, jackets, gloves etc. I don't think this is something I will do regularly and often, more of a "take a guided trip once a year for the hell of it" thing.

The only thing I might have that's useful is gortex jacket/pants from when my dad was in the air force. They usually keep me warm and dry while snowblowing.

That being said I'd like some advice on gloves etc and what I should wear to stay warm/cool while climbing.

Not opposed to buying some decent stuff, but it can certainly be on the budget/beginner end of the spectrum.

Thanks in advance, and let me know if you got any questions or if there is more info I can provide.

Hey there folks.

So the other day I went climbing with a buddy of mine and the rope got stuck in the V Thread. That is the first time that has happened to me. It was also the first time ever in which changed my VThreads a bit. Instead of having the screw holes side by side (horizontally), I tried to align them vertically.

Now Im pondering, could a vertical Vthread create greater frction and be one of the main causes that the rope got stuck?

Looking for recommendations for a ski touring pant that will also ice climb well. It seems most backcountry ski pants either have a relaxed fit with wide cuffs that get caught on crampons easily or are European style super tight on the quads stretchy pants. It feels like there’s not much in the middle: something with great hip/thigh mobility but still a slim boot cuff so you aren’t kicking your pants especially when the wind picks up, and a good snug snow gaiter. Does anyone have any recommendations here?

Hi!

If i want to practice ice climbing, is dry tooling of any use or should i dedicate that time to climbing?

It's hard to find in the US, but I have an opportunity to get one for a pretty good discount.

I know they're Euro, so worried about the fit. Does a medium fit true to size, or did they cut it larger knowing it'd be used for belay duty?

For reference, I'm 5'10, 160-170. By most brands I wear a medium. Wanting the Fitzroy to fit over my fleece, maybe puffy, and shell and not be constricting.

Thanks! Happy start of the season

This will be my 4th season and my climbing partner and I have ended our friendship. Anyone have room in their group? I'm located north of traverse city and am fine with day trips or an overnight.

Hey, all! Just wanted to put out a post to get people’s thoughts on these tools—I’ve swung Tech Machines and X-Dreams and did find that I liked the swing on the X-Alls quite a bit so now just deciding if I invest in those or a pair of Nomics. Cheers!

Hey :) I'm new to ice climbing and wanted to ask which brands you can recommend? So far I think Grivel is very good when it comes to ice axes and crampons, but I lack practical experience and which shoes can you recommend to get started? Thank you 😇

Hey folks. I'm having such a hard time finding boots. I've tried on the following in shops:

- Mammut Nordwand 6000
- La Sportiva G-Tech
- La Sportiva Nepal Cube (women's)
- Scarpa Phantom Tech

The Scarpa are definitely too wide. The Nepal Cube feel kinda bulky and heavy but a slightly better fit than the G-Tech.

I feel like I have heel lift in every single boot, and 41.5 feels slightly small (toes touch the end when I kick) and 42 feels slightly big (heel lift). I feel like my best bet is to pick something that feels like the closest option, and get it fitted better to my feet, but I'm so confused about what is the best option.

Any tips or advice, or other boots to tray, especially since I can't try most options on as nobody stocks them in smaller sizes in my area.

I’m hoping to grab a boot that will do the job (I have access to different types of crampons) but I can also use for other generic winter activities, snowshoeing , hiking etc. Any advice?

I’m looking for locals in Denver area that want to climb some ice ! I’m into doing day trips or going into Ouray area , RMNP and Cody for multiple nights . I have a truck camper that can sleep two and has heat amd such . I have been climbing since 95 and ice climbing since 2006 , I can lead up to wi5 , when motivated and I’m 56 years old .

My wife, some friends, and I decided we want to meet other ice climbers in and around Fort Collins, CO. We know you're out there. Pull up.

Just picked up a pair of Mammut Nordwand 6000s, but they don't fit my Cassin Blade Runners very well.

What are you guys using for these boots?