[ This article is part of a 2-part series about Mixed-Ice Climbing, by Mike Caputo ]

Fall and winter are coming up soon…here is some advice for winter alpine climbing.

For the past few weeks, I’ve turned to the dark side of climbing and have experienced all of the side effects of higher altitude cragging. The reason I say dark side is because mixed-ice climbing takes place in harsh, wet and generally un-savory places. However, don’t be dissuaded from trying this amazing discipline of climbing. Winter in the backcountry can be a very awe-inspiring and magical place. Here are some tips to stay warm, dry, and most importantly, have fun. This means, of course, to do whatever you can to avoid the “screaming barfies,” (Over-gripping the tool; your hands above your head for too long; just being out in the bitter cold until they are numb. Once you have a chance to thaw your hands, blood starts flowing again and your fingers start to tingle and burn with such intensity, you just might be compelled to scream your head off and feel like vomiting…the “screaming barfies”.) Every climb has five parts: planning, the approach, sitting around (going over the [Read More]