The climber ties one end of the rope into a harnesses using a secure figure-8 rewoven knot. The other person is the belayer and puts the other end of the rope through a friction-creating device. A belay is defined as a secure hold. As the climber ascends the ice, the belayer pulls in the slack. Should the climber fall, the belayer locks the rope in the device, stopping the fall and keeping the climber safe.
Ice climbers use two essential tools to ascend ice crampons and ice axes.
Each crampon attaches to a boot and includes at least 12 steel points that allow the climber to dig into the ice for a foothold. There are two types of basic ice axes. One has an angled pick for swinging into the ice at one end and a hammer for pounding in ice screws at the other end. While the toproping method is virtually foolproof provided the anchor is secure and the climber and belayer are working properly in tandem, lead climbing on ice is where the dangers of the activity lie. The points of the crampons and ice picks are sharp, and also the ice isn t inherently as strong as rock, so you need to be a little more dialed in.