Indoor Ice Climbing
Indoor Ice Climbing is an activity which you've probably seen on television. Even though you may not have the money to perform Ice Climbing in distant locations far from home, there are a number of facilities which offer this activity in your local area. With Ice Climbing, you will climb only specially designed walls that have been constructed for this purpose. The walls will often be constructed by using tons of Ice, and enough area is available for the climber so they have much to explore. If you are new to Indoor Ice Climbing, you will more than likely be working with an instructor when you visit for the first time.
The instructor will run you through the basic safety procedures that you will need to employ during your climb. The instructor should also show you some of the climbing techniques that you can use as you make your way up the wall. Once the instructor has gone over all the safety procedures and techniques, it will be time for you to put on your equipment. During much of your climb, you will be under the supervision of your instructor. In most cases, an indoor ice climbing session will last for about an hour. It can sometimes go as long as 1.5 hours. Much of this time will be spent training, and you will actually spend about 40 minutes on the wall itself.
It is always best to show up ten minutes early for your ice climbing session. There may be other people climbing at the same time as you are, but in general, only five people are allowed to climb at any one time. When it comes to the clothes you should wear, most indoor ice climbers recommend that you wear clothes that are loose fitting, and the equipment will be supplied to you at the premises, so you don't have to buy your own unless you want to. Some of the equipment that you will be using during the session includes crampons, helmets, axes, protection for your eyes, and gloves. It is best to bring some clothes that you can change into once the session is completed.
The crampons that you bring must be used for climbing only, and not walking. You will be required to wear boots, and they must be boots that were made for mountaineering. It is critically important that your axe be sharp, because if it isn't, you may not be allowed to climb. The good thing about indoor ice climbing is that it is available all year around, and is not limited to any specific season. There are age restrictions, and climbers must be a minimum of 14 years of age to climb.
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