Winter skills 3.5: climbing technique on grade I-II climbs

Expert tips for winter climbing. Climbing technique on Grade I-II climbs:

Maintain a relaxed, balanced stance
Don't over-stretch
Hands and feet in "Lazy X" layout
Make use of scoops to rest calf muscles
Knees flexed, feet horizontal
Rhythm: Axe, step, step, "platform"

This is one of a series of instructional films produced exclusively for BMC TV in association with AMI (the Association of Mountaineering Instructors), Lowe Alpine and DMM.

#iceclimbing #mountaineering

[vasocreta]

solid instruction. I am happy to see that you covered a good range of points such as weight distribution, mindfulnes of your points of contact and concepts for visualizing how things should feel. Good stuff.

[jmcdowall]

I really like these tutorial videos. Great information and very clear.

[stonemonkey]

In moving the axe in that angle terrain I grip it with my hand over the top so in case of a slip turning into a slide I can more easily perform a textbook ice axe arrest by immediately throwing some upper body weight on top (see video 2.5...!). Grabbing the shaft like that compromises the ability to arrest immediately.

[MANAVENTURES]

just what I have been looking for.
great video mate.
thanks.

[mihaibalan]

Hi! Useful information. One question, would it be recommended to use two petzl quarks for this kind of terrain? or just overkill? Ty!

[Weathernerd]

What do you do if the day is warm and the snow is softening. I was climbing an ice courilor in the Olympic mountains and despite a forecast high of only 37 F, 3C the snow was softening rapidly and I had to turn around about 500 feet below the summit because no matter how hard I kicked the crampons wouldn't bite.

[mikemike]

horizontal front points? and what kind of boot/how flexible is it?