What is Iceclimbing?

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Main section of MCS AlexClimb iceclimbing School 

Iceclimbing is a very young sport or, more precisely, a sports kind leisure activity, recently emerged from mountaineering like rockclimbing. Iceclimbing has retained all the main features of its ancestor - high levels of adrenaline, unpredictability and treacherous terrain, dependence on weather and climatic conditions.

Climbing ice cascades. Norway

Iceclimbing, as a type of seasonal winter extreme activity, is inextricably linked with mountaineering and rockclimbing. For mountaineers, iceclimbing is of utmost importance in terms of preparing for ascents of medium and high difficulty. For rock climbers, iceclimbing classes bring qualitative variety to their training routine and allow them to apply rockclimbing skills in a completely new and educational environment on unusual terrain.

Regular iceclimbing training is a great way to prepare for alpine ascents.

And vice versa - for ice climbers, rockclimbing is necessary for the development of basic technical climbing skills, which are used on mountain climbs and in iceclimbing training.

If rockclimbing, today, has become an independent sport, having practically lost touch with its ancestor - mountaineering, the same cannot be said about iceclimbing.

Iceclimbing training in Hemsedal, Norway

Iceclimbing is a dynamic, exciting sport, built on the technical base of rockclimbing, but associated with the use of a full set of technical mountain climbing equipment. This type of winter activity is extremely popular in all developed mountainous regions, where mountaineering for many people is not just a form of active leisure, but an integral part of life.

How boring the world would be without ice...

With a pronounced sporting and extreme character, classic iceclimbing is more of a game than a sport. In terms of the set of techniques, iceclimbing is very similar to rockclimbing, but the technique of climbing ice is somehow narrower in terms of the set of specific moves, and more dependent on the using of equipment.

Iceclimbing on natural ice is an incredibly emotional and fun activity.

In addition, the iceclimbing technique is based on the fundamental principles of mountaineering technique and tactics - the ability to “feel the terrain,” think through a route, and assess its condition.

To climb safely on ice, you need not only to see the holds, but also to understand and feel the relief.

During the winter season, we invite everyone to try their hand at our exclusive iceclimbing programs, acquire basic skills for safe movement and protection on ice terrain. We share our skills and knowledge that we have acquired over almost 20 years of iceclimbing training, participation in iceclimbing and rockclimbing competitions, and climbing the most difficult alpine ice routes around the world.

On the ice route of climbing the Most Beautiful Mountain in the World - Alpamayo

Our offers in the “Ice Climbing School” section are limited to a small set of beautiful and interesting programs built on the principle of intensive training and themed trips to the natural ice cascades. The small number of iceclimbing programs is associated with a number of difficulties in organizing training and choosing the most convenient and safe locations for iceclimbing.

The Gulsfilet Cascades in Norway are an ideal iceclimbing training base.

The main limitation for the development of iceclimbing direction in our School is the small number of accessible facilities and areas for running our iceclimbing courses.

Artificial structures for iceclimbing are expensive to build and difficult to maintain. Natural iceclimbing sites are usually located in the remote regions. Very small part of them have the necessary accompanying infrastructure that makes iceclimbing training not only productive and exciting, but also (most importantly) safe.

The aesthetics of iceclimbing are inseparable from the general aesthetics of winter travel and outdoor activities.

In sport iceclimbing (on artificial terrain), the task is to climb vertical and often overhanging structures, which are specially equipped - filled with ice for this purpose. Iceclimbing technique, at its core, is not much different from rockclimbing, where everything is based on coordination and plasticity. The iceclimbing technique is somewhat rougher, simpler and more demanding on the athlete’s physical characteristics.

As a bonus of iceclimbing training in Norway - the availability of a rare natural phenomenon - Aurora Borealis

Iceclimbing differs from rockclimbing in its more extreme, entertaining nature - it is more of a game than a sport - unlike rocks, natural ice always presents much more surprises. All iceclimbing events and competitions usually present a colorful show - with music, a crowd of spectators, brightly dressed athletes. Along with alpine skiing and snowboarding, iceclimbing perfectly complements the range of winter activities.

The author of iceclimbing programs, text and photographs - Alex Trubachev
Your guide to mountaineering, iceclimbing and rockclimbing

MCS EDIT 2023