There are lots of different types of climbing – like rock, ice and mixed – and then there are other fuzzier areas like scrambling and walking on snow. Below I have tried to give a very brief explanation of each and how they compare to one another.
This is an edited excerpt from the How To Climb An Unclimbed Mountain chapter of my new book: How To Get To The North Pole And Other Iconic Adventures.
Scrambling
Easy climbing up short sections of rock where the risk of falling is low.
- Typical equipment: None.
- Rope usage: None.
Walking on snow
Easy walking on snow. Typically found on slopes, gullies and ridges.
- Typical equipment: Crampons and one ice axe.
- Rope usage: Either unroped or tied to a team-mate.
Moving together
Method offering a degree of protection whilst allowing fast movement than pitched climbing. Used on easy to moderate ground where the consequence of a fall would be serious but the risk is manageable.
- Typical equipment: Basic rock or ice protection. Crampons and axes too if moving on snow and ice.
- Rope usage: Roped to team-mates all climbing at the same time. First climber secures rope to protection which is removed by last climber.
Rock climbing
Steep sections of rock where walking or scrambling are not possible. Can be very difficult.
- Typical equipment: Mountaineering boots if cold. Rock shoes if warm. Various anchors to attach a rope to the rock.
- Rope usage: Tied onto the mountain. One person climbs whilst the other belays.
Ice climbing
Found on steep glaciers and where water has frozen over rock. Can be difficult when steep and/or the ice is very hard.
- Typical equipment: Crampons and two ice axes. Anchors that you can secure to ice.
- Rope usage: Tied onto the mountain. One person climbs whilst the other belays.
Mixed climbing
Some sections will have both ice and rock, and be too cold or impractical to use rock shoes and bare hands.
- Typical equipment: Crampons and two ice axes, even when climbing on rock. Anchors for both rock and ice.
- Rope usage: Tied onto the mountain. One person climbs whilst the other belays.
How to Get to the North Pole:
and Other Iconic Adventures
Newly published for April 2012
