Hi there,

I am hoping to get into ice climbing this season in the Canadian Rockies and I am having a hard time finding boots that fit me. For context I am a woman, 5'5 ~140lb, roughly EU size 40-41 shoe size. My foot is quite flat, wide in the forefoot but very narrow/low volume in the heels. I am getting heel lifts from every single pair of boots I have tried on so far. I have tried different lacing systems, which helps a bit with the lift but cuts off circulation to the rest of my feet. The womens' models tend to be better than unisex ones, but I am still not particularly satisfied with the ones I have tried.

Boots that don't work:

-LS: Nepal cube Gtx women, G-tech

-Scarpa: Phantom Tech, Mont Blanc Pro GTX women

-Lowa: Alpine Expert II GTX women

-Mammut Nordwand Knit High GTX

Boots I am hoping to try on but can't find locally in Vancouver, BC:

-Zamberlan 2090 MOUNTAIN PRO EVO GTX® RR WNS

-Aku Hayatsuki GTX - Women's

-Aku Aurai DFS GTX - Women's

- Anything I missed??

I am doing a road trip to Red Rocks, NV for a few weeks in November, leaving from Vancouver and heading north to Calgary at the end. I will be going past Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas and whatever towns on the way. What shops would have a good selection of boots (that I haven't tried on yet)? Bonus if they have a thanksgiving sale of some sort.

I am going to buy the Ezeefit ankle booties, but I will still need to find boots that fits me somewhat well. Thanks in advance.

Anyone know where I can pick up a pair of cheeks that fit X-dreams (the spiky plate people add on top of the tool head in comps)? I’ve gotten more into the competition climbing/drytooling side of the sport and there have been a few reachy stein pulls where I could see them being useful to widen the side-side range of the move. Was wondering if there were any out there that can fit directly to the tool head or the CAMP dry picks since titanium ones are hard to get at the moment? Maybe this is too niche of a thing and I need to design my own, but figured I’d ask here first.

https://reddit.com/link/1geyoif/video/iv87vee81qxd1/player

Hey y'all,

I'm just curious if there is anyone from Western New York around this sub? I know there are spots with ice in the area around Springville and Gowanda, but finding anyone who climbs or anyone around here that even knows what ice climbing is, is hard as shit to find. Even just someone to spitball and talk climbing, in any form, is hard. So figured i would put out some feelers. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Hey folks! I’m relatively new to western New York but the recent chilly morning has got me dusting off my ice tools and sharpening my screws. I’d love to get out on some classic routes and get to know the local spots or at least meet some like-minded people.

The ice in Salmon River Gorge is definitely on my radar (it sounds like a thin year last year), and obviously the ice in the ADKs and Catskill, but I’m open to exploring wherever the ice is good. Drop a comment or send a message if you’re interested in linking up, or just want to share some local beta. Safe climbing, everyone! 🧗‍♂️❄️

Hey all! Recently scored a pair of Bladerunners for 60% off retail and was curious about peoples’ thoughts on them. I climb mostly around WI4, some WI5 and would like to get into mixed routes in the future. Good purchase, or would these be too aggressive for my uses? They seem great for that vertical ice but on the verge of being a bit overkill, so thought I’d at least ask the sub!

Far superior to Nomics on Plice. 😂

Hi all! Need help deciding on my first pair of ice tools. For info I am not an ice climber, and more into classic and technical mountaineering. Looking for a pair to climb mixed routes and vertical ice, no overhangs(maybe occasionally). Took my liking to Grivel North Machines Carbon, but in Nimsdai edition with katana picks, since the Grivel ones are prone to dulling, it seems. Also looking at Cassin/Camp X-Dream Alpine, but it looks too aggressive to me and not very versatile(at least for my goals) Will be happy to hear from ya all! Thx!

What's up everyone!

-First, does anyone know anything about the mystical ice that forms up in Zion? Even better, would anyone want to join me this January? I'd probably rap in and TR out in case the ice doesn't fully go, so it should be pretty chill

-Secondly, what are y'all's tips and tricks for determining ice quality? I've only ever climbed when it stays comfortably below freezing so I haven't had too many issues/ learning moments with bad ice.

See title. Struggling to get my boot fit to work. Have tried on what I can, have ezeefit, insoles, etc. My trail runners and approach shoes work well cause of the cushioning on the heel. Anyone ever add cushioning to a single boot?

Unfortunately, my Scarpa Phantom tech are in a container in Greenland and I don’t have access to them so now I am stuck with either climbing with the Scarpa F1 or Technica Zero G Pro or renting a Lasportiva Nepal which would require change shoes for the climb, as the approach is on skis.

Hey everyone!

I’m pretty new to ice climbing and looking for some gear advice. Last month I did a mountaineering course in Chamonix and really loved it! I’m going back in January for an ice climbing course, again in Chamonix. I’ve got a packing list from the course, but after reading through advice on Reddit, I’m feeling a bit confused since the recommendations seem all over the place. Reddit (and outdoor stores I did my research in) recommended different things than the guide.

I’ll be ice climbing maybe 1-2 times a year, as I’m planning to focus more on mountaineering and rock climbing overall.

Here’s my current packing list I’ve got from the guide (the ones with asterisks (*) are the items where I find suggestions are contradictory). Would appreciate your help deciding what to pick from the jungle of products out there, what to buy vs what to rent. Thanks!

Equipment

• Comfortable frameless rucksack (about 35-40 litres)
• Hiking boots to use semi-rapid crampons
• A pair of gaiters if your pant is not equipped
• A pair of crampons, helmet, harness & Ice-Axe - lended

Clothing

• Waterproof and windproof, non-insulated parka with hood (Gore-tex or equivalent)*
• Waterproof and windproof, non-insulated pants*
• Thick polar-pile fleece jacket or equivalent*
• 1 long-sleeve shirt
• Medium weight thermal underwear (top + bottoms, silk or polypro, double as pyjamas)
• Warm socks
• Warm ski hat and light sun hat with brim
• Warm ski gloves or mittens*
• A pair of adjusted gloves allowing you to easily handle material* —> need specific recommendations
• Neck protection
• Spare thermal underwear (for sleeping and change), down vest*, T-shirt (s)

Quick question: are the X dream picks compatible with the X all mountain?

Im in the market for new ice axes. And was wondering if anyone has used the new BD hydra's and know how they compare to the Petzl nomic?

Before I buy the FIL Small, has anyone tried using BD narrow toe bails on Petzl Lynx/Dart crampons? Doe they fit?

Hey everyone, just getting into mixed climbing and picked up my first pair of tools this week. This subreddit has been super helpful for answering all my questions so far. I’m curious-what are the downsides of using an ice-specific pick for some mixed days? Will it ruin the pick? Will it just perform poorly? Will it do just fine?

Edit: using BD hydras, looks like the mixed picks aren’t ready for shipping yet

Which are you rocking this season?

I am looking for recommendations on backpacks for Alpine ice climbing objectives. A day pack good for objectives like North Face Gullies on Hood, single day climbs in the cascades etc. I am curious in brands people like and what liter size they use. I am thinking something around 30L. Thanks

Considering buying a Sterling or Mammut dry rope, that are same price, but I noticed the Sterling XEROS marketing material sounds promising, but never found any online review comparing it to the competition. Does anyone have long-term experience with XEROS, and is the dry treatment noticeably longer lasting?

Hi everyone, I’m entering the ice climbing world this season after doing a few moderate alpine ice climbs last year (nothing harder than a WI3 bulge), and I’m curious at what point ice climbing crampons become critical vs a typical mountaineering/ski mountaineering crampon? I currently have a pair of Blue Ice Harfang Alpines I love for ski mountaineering, but not sure how well these would climb on more vertical/more technical grades as they have horizontal front points and a dyneema strap holding them together to save weight instead of alu/steel. Any input is greatly appreciated! Photo of the Harfang Alpines attached for reference

Hey Reddit!

I have been climbing with some G5 Evos for a season. I have flat, high volume feet, wide with a narrow heel. I have a few observations:

• They fit very "low" on my feet. Even with the boas undone I have some pressure on the top of my midfoot. Just doing up the zipper they feel tight here, and the velcro around the midfoot does not close perfectly. The toe box itself is fine. They fit well enough with targetweight smartwool socks, but wearing a mid weight sock, using toe warmers, or a better insole is absolutely out of the question. Rolling with no insoles the fit is awesome, but that isn't really a solution. I am also nervous that the boots will prematurely fail at the overgaiter or zipper.
• I get a fair bit of heel lift. Can be mitigated with some ezeefits. 
• The plate for the boa system digs in right where my foot bends walking uphill. Again mitigated with ezeefits.
• Length-wise they are perfect. I wouldn't want to go longer than the current boots I am wearing.

I have read that Scarpa boots would be better suited for my foot shape. 

It's a bit of a pain in the ass to try on boots where I am at currently. Hoping for some feedback before ordering / shipping back etc. Any thoughts with the above would be appeciated. 

Hi all ice climbers, I live in Hong Kong where we don’t have snow nor ice. But I wanted to try ice climbing. I am thinking about fly to other countries to try and learning ice climbing. Any location suggestions? I can think of Japan and maybe South Korea. Thank you