The individual sports of rock climbing and ice climbing are the focus of this portion of our web guide.
Rock climbing and ice climbing both involve scaling vertical surfaces, but they differ significantly in terms of terrain, techniques, and the equipment necessary.
Rock climbing typically involves ascending natural rock formations using hands, feed, and climbing gear, which may include ropes, harnesses, and carabiners. The activity requires physical strength, agility, and problem-solving skills to navigate stable and predictable holds of rock faces. Climbers generally plan their routes carefully, executing complex movements as they progress upward.
Ice climbing, on the other hand, involves ascending frozen waterfalls, glaciers, or ice formations using specialized equipment such as ice axes and crampons. The terrain traversed in ice climbing is usually more variable and unpredictable, with constantly changing ice conditions that demand precise tool placements and techniques. Cold and slippery surfaces add another element of complexity and risk.
There are also commonalities between the two sports. Both require significant physical and mental strength, endurance, and the ability to read and respond to changing conditions. Both involve considerable risk yet emphasize safety, preparation, and proactive planning, with climbers needing to respect their environments.
Rock climbing can be categorized into several disciplines. Sport climbing involves climbing routes with pre-placed anchors for protection. Climbers would clip their ropes into these anchors as they ascend. With top rope climbing, a rope is anchored at the top, and the climber is belayed from below. Climbers use specialized gear to assist their ascent in what is known as aid climbing, often placing gear into cracks and pulling on it to progress. In traditional climbing, the climber would place removable protection gear into cracks in the rock as they climb, which the second climber removes. Free climbing involves using hands and feet to ascend, with ropes and gear used only for protection in case of a fall. Free solo climbing involves free climbing without the use of ropes. Climbing above water without ropes, where a fall would result in a plunge into the water below, is known as deep-water soloing. Big water climbing involves climbing large, vertical rock faces, often requiring multiple days and overnight stays on the wall. Climbing short, challenging routes without ropes, typically on boulders or low rock faces, is known as bouldering. Alpine climbing combines rock and ice climbing. Speed climbing is a race against the clock to ascend a route as quickly as possible. Alpine climbing combines rock and ice climbing, often in remote mountain environments.
Mastering rock climbing involves learning techniques such as footwork, body positioning, handholds, and movement.
Climbing routes are graded on their level of difficulty using various systems, such as the Yosemite Decimal System, the French Grading System, the UIAA Scale, the V Scale, and the Font Scale.
Competitive rock climbing includes bouldering competitions, lead climbing competitions, speed climbing competitions, and combined competitions.
Indoor climbing walls are often used for training in rock climbing or as a recreational activity.
Ice climbing involves ascending frozen waterfalls, icefalls, and other ice-covered formations. Waterfall ice is the most common ice-climbing route. Alpine ice is found in high altitudes, and these routes are typically part of larger mountaineering expeditions that involve glaciers and ice fields. Climbing on glacier ice involves navigating crevasses and large ice blocks (seracs). Mixed climbing involves both ice and rock.
The ice climbing tools might include specialized ones such as axes with a curved shaft and aggressive picks to secure placements. Other equipment may consist of crampons, a climbing harness, a helmet, a rope, ice screws, and protective clothing.
The most common grading systems for ice climbing routes are the Water Ice (WI) Scale, the Alpine Ice (AI) Scale, and the Mixed (M) Scale.
Both rock climbing and ice climbing are considered extreme sports as they involve significant physical and mental challenges, as well as inherent risks. Both sports are exhilarating and require high preparation, skill, and respect for the environment. They are often categorized as extreme due to the potential dangers and physical and mental endurance required.
Recommended Resources
Alpine Endeavors operates year-round for rock climbing, ice climbing, Alpine climbing, and mountaineering. In addition to its climbing services, Alpine Endeavors offers guided hikes and snowshoeing in its local areas, navigation skills, Leave No Trace courses, team building events, and wilderness medical courses. The American Mountain Guides Association accredits Alpine Endeavors, and its guides are AMGA-trained and/or exam-certified guides. Its programs are defined.
https://alpineendeavors.com/
In operation since 2001, Front Range Climbing Company is a Colorado climbing guide service that offers guided climbing experiences that include both rock climbing and ice climbing in the Colorado Springs, Denver, and Boulder, Colorado areas, as well as in Moab, Utah. Its guides are introduced, and a gallery of photographs, employment opportunities, telephone numbers, an email address, and an online contact form are provided. Gift cards are available for purchase.
https://www.frontrangeclimbing.com/
Since 1994, the Ouray Ice Park has been the largest man-made public ice climbing park in the world. Each winter, the Park opens its gates for three months to thousands of ice climbers from around the world, with more than two hundred ice and mixed routes spanning nearly two miles of the Uncompahgre Gorge. The free and public park is operated as a non-profit, which raises funds through donations, memberships, events, and sponsorships. Schedules and contacts are posted.
https://ourayicepark.com/
SJMG is a guide service based in both Ouray and Durango, Colorado, situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. The SJMG offers both registration courses and custom programs designed to fit individual goals, allowing the curriculum to meet the individual needs of each person or self-organized group. Founded in 1986, the original owners were instrumental in the creation of the Ouray Ice Park. SJMG guides are introduced, along with testimonials, photographs, and contacts.
https://mtnguide.net/
The Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme (UIAA), known in English as the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, was founded in 1932. Among its interests is the sport of ice climbing. The UIAA has organized competition ice climbing for the past twenty years, and is committed to the growth and sustainability of the sport through supporting national federation, working with event organizers, and in other ways. Event schedules and results are posted.
https://iceclimbing.sport/
