How to Ice Climb #1: Good ice climbing starts with good feet.

What is an "industrial standard" foot placement in ice climbing? Answer: Frontpoints and secondary points both in the ice and solid. 90 percent of ice climbers don't do this, and the results range from being out of balance and pumped to falling off. Fix it! Here's how.

[Fjallkloka_Aventyr]

This is the best frikkin beginner tutorial for ice climbing I've seen. Really good explanations and demonstrations, and I havn't even finished.

[Gauthierbrad]

I got into ice climbing last year. I’m the outdoors type, snowboard a ton, surf, hike, etc. I thought I’d pick it up immediately. I was dead wrong, it was a humbling experience. I went out with a guided group and performed horribly. I was the physical embodiment of every bad habit he references in this video. I went out alone a few times with a top rope and did miserably as well… I found this video over the summer and watched it several times. Today I had the first opportunity to ice climb this season and MY GOD, I was a different person. It took consistent conscious effort but my sole focus was on foot position, and then my arms just fell into place. Previously I was using my arms as the anchors and frantically searching for a foothold. This particular video fundamentally upgraded my performance. I’m still a total novice, but today I got to the top of a local ice sheet that would have been inconceivable a few months ago. Thanks dude, sincerely.

[thejoltjoker]

This series is the best intro to ice climbing I've seen! Happy to see it on YouTube!

[petegodirkov]

It's so cool of you to put this series up Will!
It's incredible that today we have access to such niche knowledge you had to spend seasons to gather. It defo takes a grade or two off the learning curve ;)

[Whitehawkvisionfilms]

Been iceclimbing for over 15 yrs and stilllearn from this guy everytime he speaks! God Bless you Will!

[sebastian]

I just found the treasure trove at the bottom of the ice climbing rainbow! The knowledge shared here is gold! Thanks for sharing, Will and BD!

[athame]

"Feet are everything in Ice Climbing. Good feet: you're happy. Bad feet: No~. It's no bueno." *Love* *it!*

[sirmeowmeow]

Voting to make “surface schnazzle” a new technical term! 😹👌🏻 Can’t wait to inform my climbing partner 🤘🏻

[marlokbence]

Classy practical tips and also easy to follow.
Thank you! Greetings from Hungary!!!

[FindingMyselfOutside]

Just getting into ice climbing, really appreciate the series of videos. Going to learn as much as I can before I hire a guide.

[thecma]

I live for Will Gadd's ice slang. "That thing's truck." "But maybe there's more surface schnazzle going on here..."

[XIWreckYouX]

Thank you Will, for sharing your experience, and putting the time into this presentation!

[slowgold]

Such good advice! And those sound effects are vital for good performance lol

[letyourmusshang]

Will this is brilliant :) thanks for what you do for the community. Your content is always captivating and engaging!

[Amangions]

Thank you very much for this helpful and clear video about ice-climbing techniques. Please, keep going!

[canadiangirl]

Thanks Will! I have been out a couple of times ice climbing and have been enjoying it alot. I am going again on Saturday and will definitely trying this techniques to try and get up to the top for the first time :)

[novadea]

Thank you for sharing your experience, I haven't done any ice climbing yet but planning to take a trip for it this year and these will surely be a lot of help.

[twinmike]

Very well done. Good for starting out or pre season refresher.

[uptowngetsdown]

Hey Will Gadd, what an absolute privilege to receive this series from you right before this season! Who better than to learn from?! I am starting my foray into ice climbing this season and while I will be traveling out West to Colorado for some of it, the majority of it will be in the Northeastern US. Are there any tips for differences I may encounter out East, like maybe ice composition or "thin" structure? I truly hope to see more content this season from the master! Thank you!!!!

[anaisabelmarileon]

Very interesting and well explained video, thank you for sharing!