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?

I own a pair of the old apex’s and was just wondering if the new picks are compatible with my one

Many thanks

Hi! My friend and I went to the Ouray Ice Fest 3 years ago and we've been back to Ouray each year since. We're thinking about checking out other places and I'm hoping folks here might have some recommendations!

1. Our biggest concern is that we want to find places where you can set up top ropes. We're both more experienced rock climbers and are comfortable setting up an anchor up top and lowering in. Lead climbing we're much less comfortable with.

2. Second concern, and this might actually be the biggest concern if it actually is a concern, is that somewhere nearby we'd need gear rentals. I'm assuming most anywhere popular for ice climbing has a rental option somewhere, but again I've only climbed at one place so I don't know D:

3. A couple friends who have never ice climbed might join us, so if this can line up with an Ice Festival or be somewhere where where a company or two offers intro classes, that'd be a nice plus, but not mandatory.

4. We're coming from Phoenix, AZ so somewhere Mountain Timezone-ish would be nice, but again, not a requirement

5. We haven't nailed down exact dates yet, but it'll probably be early-mid February

6. It'd be nice to find a place that has a healthy set of options in the WI 1-5 range. Definitely would like some easy warm-ups especially if there are new-comers too. And it'd be nice to work up to WI4-5. Both of us climbed Pick o' the Vic (https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106086237/pick-o-the-vic) last year, which was a pretty perfect challenge level for us, and we'd love similar-level options to challenge ourselves with this year too!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks folks!!

Stoked to be out in November, desperate maybe…

I made an effort while in a mood of doing dumb stuff. The handpons was an idea i got from someone who i witnessed actually trying to climb up a little snowy hill with crampons wrapped around his hands, jabbing them into the snow. He had tennis shoes so im positive he had no idea what to do with them or why they wouldnt stay on his feet.

No, I didnt make it more than 5 ft off the ground. That took huge effort haha

I am building a page that goes deep into the weeds on specs to help the community compare different tools/axes and help people make educated decisions when buying some. I can get ahold of almost any tool and will be able to take all of the measurements myself with the appropriate tools.

So, what are some specs you think should be available on the page? Apart from the obvious ones like the rating of the pick/shaft, material, etc., other ideas include the pick taper, spike strength, handle offset angle.

Thanks in advance!

Hey folks,

With the launch of the Hydra, Cortex, and Beartooth Alpine's (potentially) new industry-standard picks, I thought you might be interested in what one of the industry leaders in product innovation has to say about the philosophy of product development and how the R&D process works... and also, what kind of person is obsessed enough to do the work.

Ice Ice Beta is back for winter and our first guest jumps to the heart of the matter. Bill Belcourt was the head of R&D at Black Diamond during their heydey and has over 30+ years of product experience (he now leads Blue Ice in North America).

Here's the link to our interview with Bill.

Would love to hear what you think!

So the new DMM Cortex have been released for a couple weeks now, but it’s still hard to find any reviews or see anyone actually using them. There is one video on YouTube by outside.co.uk but that’s about it. Since the Hydras have been out, they have been all over Instagram and you see a lot of professional athletes advocating for them (Will Gadd, Yannick Glatthard). Is DMM just not pushing in the marketing department like BD does, or why do these quite innovative and interesting tools fly seemingly under the radar?