| By Stony,
on Monday, 28 January 2008
|
Ice Climbing! What a "crazy" sport! Many people don't realize
some of the best Ice Climbing in Western Pennsylvania can be had right here in the ANF,
just off rt 59 (literally right off!) at the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny Reservoir. Nearly
every weekend there is ice, there are climbers from Pittsburgh, Jamestown, Buffalo, and
even Ohio or further who trek to the dam to climb the frozen ice flows there.
| Ice Climbing is the logical
pastime for a rock climber seeking an adrenalin rush in the winter. As a progression of
mountaineering skills, you may want to learn to climb vertical ice, but I suggest that you
try climbing a few 45-degree, snow-covered mountains first.
Get used to the cold vertical world and see if it's for you. Learn the basic skills
involved in winter mountaineering. Start small, and easy, and work your way up!
Mountaineering is the age-old activity of climbing up the steep slopes of a
mountainside in hopes of reaching the summit. |
|
|
Mountain climbing encompasses numerous activities including snow, ice, and rock
climbing as well as backpacking and snow camping. Oh, and the most important part: You may
(one time only!) experience FALLING TO YOUR DEATH!
Basic mountaineering generally entails climbing steep snow slopes with the aid of
crampons and an ice axe. And/or as most of our mountaineering trips go, a climbing
harness, good boots and ropes.
A majority of introductory mountaineering is comprised mostly of hiking. This is one
reason why many people start with mountaineering. It seems less intimidating than climbing
vertical rock, or ice walls. The difficulties of mountaineering lie not only in the
distance covered and elevation gained, but in the environmental conditions encountered.
A single day of mountaineering can include subzero temperatures to extreme highs.
Because the elements can turn a moderate slope into a great challenge, prudent decision
making skills and the proper gear is needed. Ropes and other technical climbing equipment
are required once the slope angle and potential for a fall or slide increases.
Many people begin mountaineering to add a little adventure to their modern day lives in
a culture obsessed with safety. The rewards of climbing a mountain are many, and for this
reason, some people dedicate their lives to the pursuit of taller and more difficult
peaks. Many in this area climb northern New York as "peak baggers", that is,
bagging numerous "peaks", mostly in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains.
Ice climbing is an offshoot of mountain and/or rock climbing. Climbing ice started in
the early days of mountain climbing as climbers encountered the hard water ice in the
gullies and faces of their lofty objectives. The techniques and the tools of the trade
evolved with the difficulty of the ice attempted. The sport of climbing frozen waterfalls
blossomed with the advent of the modern ice tool designed by Evon Chouinard in the early
1970's.
Here in Western Pennsylvania and Western New York, we are blessed with numerous places
to learn the basics of Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, and Ice Climbing.
While we do not have major mountains, we do have some very scenic, and challenging
climbs.
Here are some pictures from some of our most recent visit there (Jan 26, 2008) Ice Climbing in Western Pa
|
|
|
THE VERY LATEST 
Set As Homepage | Add
to Favorites | Refer Us
