"East Face Slide on Mount Marcy. While some are very easy to find and exit, others require extensive skill in backcountry navigation and an intimate knowledge of the area. Slide Climbing Slide climbing is a type of hiking or mountaineering popular mainly in the Adirondack Mountains. It focuses around utilizing the region's multitude of ""slides,"" which are areas where the soil and growth have been washed away in a landslide, leaving a strip of bedrock; these slides have a wide variation in type, which could last as short as a few hundred feet to over a mile long, and as"
"Crampons A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing. Besides ice climbing, crampons are also used for secure travel on snow and ice, such as crossing glaciers, snowfields and icefields, ascending snow slopes, and scaling ice-covered rock. There are three main attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings. The first two require boots with welts, as a tension lever attaches the crampon to the heel. The last type (strap bindings) are more versatile and can adapt to virtually any boot or shoe, but often do"
"these ski crampons are known by their European names: """" (German), ""couteaux"" (French) and ""coltelli"" (Italian), literally French and Italian for ""knives"" in those languages. Crampons A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing. Besides ice climbing, crampons are also used for secure travel on snow and ice, such as crossing glaciers, snowfields and icefields, ascending snow slopes, and scaling ice-covered rock. There are three main attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings. The first two require boots with welts, as a tension lever attaches"
"is a one in-five chance of dying if caught in a significant avalanche, and only a 50/50 chance of being found alive if buried more than a few minutes. The best solution is to learn how to avoid risky conditions. For travel on slopes consisting of ice or hard snow, crampons are a standard part of a mountaineer's equipment. While step-cutting can sometimes be used on snow slopes of moderate angle, this can be a slow and tiring process, which does not provide the higher security of crampons. However, in soft snow or powder, crampons are easily hampered by balling"
"Scandinavian crampon A Scandinavian crampon is a rubber contraption with small spikes underneath it. They are used to avoid sliding on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow. The crampons are attached to footwear with either rubber straps on the heel or on the toes that covers the whole sole. Not to be mistaken for crampons used for ice climbing. Crampons of this sort are commonly used in Scandinavia. These crampons are much smaller and are used in winter. Crampons are specially made for jogging and hiking. Shoes are available with spikes already fastened to the soles that serve the"
"and glacier travel and beginning a revolution in front pointing. There is currently a range of models, including specialized crampons with as many as 14 points and models with single points for ice climbing. Crampons are fastened to footwear by means of a binding system. Improved attachment systems - such as a cam action ""step-in"" system similar to a ski binding and particularly well adapted to plastic technical mountaineering boots - have widely increased crampon use. Crampons also use a full ""strap-in"" system and a ""hybrid"" binding that features a toe strap at the front and a heel lever at"
"in the center section of the bottom of skis, or sticky ski wax in this center pocket are used in lower angle or rolling terrain. Climbing skins are used when fish scales or ski wax fail to provide sufficient grip for skiing steeply uphill. Ski crampons (also called ""Harscheisen"" (German), ""couteau"" (French), or ""rampant"" (Italian) may be attached when conditions are particularly icy or the grade too steep for skins. Ski touring can take place anywhere that has suitable snow and terrain, and reasonable means of access to the trailhead, i.e. plowed road, snowcat or aircraft. Some examples include Activities"
"the added stress and tiring effect on the calf muscles, climbers who regularly use this technique wear rigid crampons, or stiff/plastic mountaineering boots, versus the hinged variety used for more general mountaineering on steep snow slopes or glaciers. Front pointing Front pointing is a fundamental technique in mountaineering and ice climbing which is used to ascend moderate to steep ice slopes. Also referred to as the German technique, it is accomplished through the use of crampons with two front-slanting points or spikes, which allow traction to be concentrated at the toe of the climber's boots. Climbers generally pick up this"
"example, on flat ice, almost any good hiking or mountaineering boot will usually suffice, but for serious ice climbing double plastic mountaineering boots or their stiff leather equivalent are usually used, which must be crampon compatible and stiff enough to support the climber and maintain ankle support. On short, low angled slopes, one can use an ice axe to chop steps. For longer and steeper slopes or glacier travel, crampons are mandatory for a safe climb. Vertical ice climbing is done with crampons and ice axes (those specific to vertical ice generally being called technical ice axes, or ""ice tools"");"
"traditional climbing, the protection generally is removable. However, many significant first ascents in the U.S. done with a combination of crack gear and bolts placed on lead were termed ""traditional"" at the time (see below discussion). Usually nuts or spring-loaded camming devices (often referred to as ""cams"" or ""friends"") are set in cracks in the rock (although pitons are sometimes used). In sport climbing the protection is metal loops called hangers. Hangers are secured to the rock with either expanding masonry bolts taken from the construction industry, or by placing glue-in bolt systems. In ice climbing the protection is made-up"
"for certain types of climbing equipment (body harness, rope, protection hardware, etc), and not involving travel on extremely steep slopes or on glaciers. However, this can mean negotiating lower angle rock, traveling through talus and scree, crossing streams, fighting one's way through dense brush, and walking on snow-covered slopes. Although ropes may be sensible on harder scrambles, sustained use of rope and belay counts as climbing; typically, the use of ropes in scrambling is limited to basic safety uses. While much of the enjoyment of scrambling depends on the freedom from technical apparatus, unroped scrambling in exposed situations is potentially"
"same function as crampons. Crampons date back to the Vikings, from around 800AD till 1100AD. The crampons were found in the town of Öde in Medelpad, Sweden. It was examined in 1939. The crampon is located in the Government History Museum in Sweden. Scandinavian crampon A Scandinavian crampon is a rubber contraption with small spikes underneath it. They are used to avoid sliding on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow. The crampons are attached to footwear with either rubber straps on the heel or on the toes that covers the whole sole. Not to be mistaken for crampons used"
"as employed in roped climbing and caving systems, and should not be used as such. A normal climbing harness is used. Children and people with heavy backpacks are advised to use a full body harness or a normal harness combined with a chest strap. A helmet is generally strongly recommended, especially on longer or steeper routes, or where rocks may be loose. The helmet should be a UIAA approved climbing helmet, since the danger of falling rocks or hitting your head during a fall is always high. Other types of helmets can be dangerous as they are usually not designed"
"begun to use carbon fiber to create the necessary stiffness. Mountaineering boots are typically designed to be used with crampons. To achieve compatibility with crampons, welts are moulded into the toe and heel of the boot, providing a platform for the crampon to attach to. The stiffness of the boot enhances the precision of the crampon and allows a climber to pursue steeper and more difficult terrain. Another important aspect of mountaineering boots is warmth. To prevent frostbite in extreme cold conditions, synthetic insulation is incorporated into the boot. Lighter weight boots are classified as single boots. These single boots"
"Scrambling Scrambling (also known as alpine scrambling) is ""a walk up steep terrain involving the use of one's hands"". It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hiking, hillwalking, mountaineering, and rock climbing. Canyoning often involves scrambling. Alpine scrambling is scrambling in high mountains like the Alps and the Rockies of North America, and may not follow a defined or waymarked path. ""The Mountaineers"" climbing organization defines alpine scrambling as follows: Alpine Scrambles are off-trail trips, often on snow or rock, with a 'non-technical' summit as a destination. A non-technical summit is one that is reached without the need"
"any climbing route. Most climbers choose to wear specialized rubber climbing shoes which are often of a smaller size than their normal street shoes in order to improve sensitivity towards foot placements and use the tightness to their advantage. Climbing chalk (MgCO) is commonly used as a drying agent to minimize sweating of the hands. Most other equipment is of a protective nature. Rock climbing is inherently dangerous, so to minimize the potential consequences resulting from a fall, climbers use protection. The most basic protective equipment is a climbing rope. Climbing pioneers would attach the rope to themselves; in the"
"be tied around the waist, allowing the climber to reapply chalk during the climb. Brushes are used to remove excess chalk and debris from boulders in between climbs; they are often attached to the end of a long straight object in order to reach higher holds. Crash pads, also referred to as bouldering mats, are foam cushions placed on the ground to protect climbers from falls. Boulder problems are generally shorter than from ground to top. This makes the sport significantly safer than free solo climbing, which is also performed without ropes, but with no upper limit on the height"
"or the main trunk in the event of a fall. Tree climbing Tree climbing is a recreational or functional activity consisting of ascending and moving around in the crown of trees. A rope, helmet, and harness can be used to ensure the safety of the climber. Other equipment can also be used depending on the experience and skill of the tree climber. Some tree climbers take special hammocks called ""Treeboats"" and Portaledges with them into the tree canopies where they can enjoy a picnic or nap, or spend the night. Some tree-climbers employ a mixture of techniques and gear derived"
"in places like Cannon Cliff in New Hampshire, Santa Catalina Mountains and Monument Valley in Arizona, Zion National Park in Utah, and Big Bend National Park in Texas. Herb and Jan usually sought the easiest and most direct routes to the top of the most striking rock formations. Before the development of specialized climbing shoes, harnesses, and protection - like nuts and cams, they climbed in cheap smooth-soled tennis shoes with 80-foot laid nylon rope tied around their waists and used US Army scavenged at Seneca Rocks after World War II. They used body belays and down-climbed their routes instead"
"If a climber is soloing they remove placed gear while rappelling back down the climb; if climbing with a partner the second climber will clean the gear during his or her ascent up the pitch. In protecting the lead climber in both trad and sport: Carabiners and slings are used to connect the gear to the climber's lead rope, so that in the event of a fall, the rope can be used (by the belayer below) to catch the falling climber. Modern traditional climbs occasionally have fixed gear (pitons or bolts) in places where there are no opportunities to place"
"Climbing protection Climbing protection is any of a variety of devices employed to reduce risk and protect others while climbing rock and ice. It includes such items as nylon webbing and metal nuts, cams, bolts, and pitons. Different forms of climbing draw on varying forms of protection and the systems that are created from its elements. There are a number of ways to ""protect"" a climb, varying according to the type of climbing: A lead climber places protection (temporary or permanent anchors) in the rock, snow, or ice establishing a climbing route. The rope is clipped through carabiners (often joined"
"Climbing harness A climbing harness is an item of climbing equipment for rock-climbing, abseiling, or other activities requiring the use of ropes to provide access or safety such as industrial rope access, working at heights, etc. A harness secures a person to a rope or an anchor point. In its simplest form, a harness can be made from a length of rope or a nylon webbing tied round the waist. However this is extremely uncomfortable unless the wearer is very light. It can also ride up to the abdomen or even the diaphragm under load and cause serious injury. Looping"
"climber’s stuff can be left and taken at the base camps or given to porters, there is a long list of personal equipment. In addition to common mountaineers’ gear, Summit climbers need to take Diamox (anti-altitude sickness medication), masks, and bottles of oxygen. There are also special requirements for crampons, ice axe, rappel device, clothing, etc. Summit A summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. Mathematically, a summit is a local maximum in elevation. The topographic terms ""acme"", ""apex"", ""peak"", and ""zenith"" are synonymous. The term """" is"
"a specialized climbing helmet to protect them from falling rocks or equipment or head injuries from crashing into rocks. Injuries in rock climbing are mainly sports injuries that occur due to falls or overuse. Injuries due to falls are relatively uncommon; the vast majority of injuries result from overuse, most often occurring in the fingers, elbows, and shoulders. Such injuries are often no worse than torn calluses, cuts, burns and bruises. There are a number of skincare products specifically for climbers available in the market. However, overuse symptoms, if ignored, may lead to permanent damage especially to tendons, tendon sheaths,"
"resource for scramblers in Britain are the guides by W A Poucher (1891–1988), though these are now dated and more recent guide books exist. A community project consisting of a comprehensive list of scrambles in the United Kingdom is available at UKscrambles.com. Scrambling Scrambling (also known as alpine scrambling) is ""a walk up steep terrain involving the use of one's hands"". It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hiking, hillwalking, mountaineering, and rock climbing. Canyoning often involves scrambling. Alpine scrambling is scrambling in high mountains like the Alps and the Rockies of North America, and may not follow"
"one another's shoulders, or using an ice axe propped up by others for a foothold. The great principle is that of co-operation, all the members of the party climbing with reference to the others, and not as independent units; each when moving must know what the climber in front and the one behind are doing. After bad weather steep rocks are often found covered with a veneer of ice (Glossary of climbing terms#verglas), which may even render them inaccessible. Crampons are useful on such occasions. Every year, 120 to 150 people die in small avalanches in the Alps alone. The"
"at Piker's Peak indicates. ""You are a piker if you think this is the summit. Don't crab, the mountain was here first."" Crampons and ice axes are needed on many routes because of glaciers and the route's steepness. Aside from crevasses on the more difficult glacier routes, the biggest hazard is the loose rocks and boulders which are easily dislodged and a severe hazard for climbers below. These falling rocks are especially dangerous for climbers on the precipitous east faces and the steep headwalls of the north and west sides. Routes in those areas should only be climbed early in"
"alternative name. Unlike the alpine coil it cannot be attached to a harness for climbing, and thus is useful only for transporting a rope to and from where it must be used. The method is also useful for much smaller items such as for keeping earphone cables from tangling. Depending on the thickness and length, one can use palms of hands stretched out to the sides (crossing over the neck), two knees, passive side palm and elbow, or two fingers of the passive hand. The following is for the extra long climbing rope. Start with both rope ends in one"
"also sometimes serve as anchors. When travelling over glaciers, crevasses pose a grave danger. These giant cracks in the ice are not always visible as snow can be blown and freeze over the top to make a ""snowbridge"". At times snowbridges can be as thin as a few inches. Climbers use a system of ropes to protect themselves from such hazards. Basic gear for glacier travel includes crampons and ice axes. Teams of two to five climbers tie into a rope equally spaced. If a climber begins to fall the other members of the team perform a self-arrest to stop"
"In fact, the first climbers considered an untucked shirt or unbuttoned sport jacket a sign of weakness. Several climbers even chose to climb barefoot, an act that modern climbers would find amazing. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the trend was to wear tight, brightly coloured clothes often made from Spandex. The trend, now, is to wear looser-fitting clothing. Trousers can be tailored to prevent them from restricting movement by adding features such as articulated knee joints and diamond crotch. The climbing helmet is a piece of safety equipment that primarily protects the skull against falling debris (such as rocks"
"Tree climbing Tree climbing is a recreational or functional activity consisting of ascending and moving around in the crown of trees. A rope, helmet, and harness can be used to ensure the safety of the climber. Other equipment can also be used depending on the experience and skill of the tree climber. Some tree climbers take special hammocks called ""Treeboats"" and Portaledges with them into the tree canopies where they can enjoy a picnic or nap, or spend the night. Some tree-climbers employ a mixture of techniques and gear derived from rock climbing and caving. These techniques are also used"
"climbing and sporting activities instead of changing into shorts or trousers. Soldiers in ancient times wore their pasos in this manner either on their own or on top of a pair of trousers. In rural areas men are often seen with a folded paso on one shoulder either for use when bathing (""yei lè"" — lit. water change — longyi) or for use as a cushion for a carrying pole on the shoulder or a heavy load on the back. Women, when they bathe, simply wear their htamain higher by tucking it just under the arms to cover their breasts"
"the rope between the legs will prevent this, though care should be taken to avoid sensitive areas. More sophisticated harnesses exist in many patterns, designed to give greater comfort and security, and more options for carrying equipment. While harnesses can be improvised, it is more common to use commercially produced harnesses, which often include padding and amenities such as gear loops. Most commercial climbing harnesses meet the guidelines and manufacturing standards of organizations such as the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UiAA) or European Committee for Standardization. Harnesses should be attached to dynamic (stretchy) rope, except possibly when abseiling where"