Popular Mountains That Ice Climbers Climb

If you are interested in ice climbing, the most popular mountains to ice climb are in the Andes. These include Lillaz, Valontey, and Cogne Valley. You can also find routes in other mountains like the Rockies and Himalayas.

Cogne Valley

The Cogne Valley in the French Alps is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Europe. The main ice climbing crags include the Valeille Rive Droite and Valnontey Rive Gauche. There are also a number of smaller vallons in the area.

Lillaz

The mountains in the Alps are popular with ice climbers. Some of the popular routes are the Cascade de Lillaz, a popular ice climbing route in Cogne. It is accessible to climbers, and the first ascent was made in January 1981 by Aldo Cambiolo and Pierluigi Sartre. Other popular routes include Grey Mare's Tail, which is a low-lying route that is only accessible after a 15-minute walk from the base of the mountain. If you can catch the wind, Lillaz's ice climbing routes are great fun.

Wolverine Falls

Wolverine Falls is 450 feet high and is regarded as one of the most difficult ice climbs in the world. Its six-foot icicles and 100-foot-deep ice hole make it an intimidating challenge for any climber. It was first climbed by Will Gadd and Tim Emmett in 2010, and is considered one of the hardest ice climbs in the world. This falls can also be climbed at night, as it has lights installed to illuminate the ice surface. The area is also home to the Niagara Falls Ice Festival, which is held every January.

Helmcken Falls

Helmcken Falls is one of the most popular mountains for ice climbers in the United States. The area has a variety of routes available for the sport. These routes include the challenging Spray On (WI10), which was climbed by Emmett and Will Gadd in 2010. The route is graded "mixed," which means that it requires hard mixed techniques and dry tooling.

Joe's Valley

While climbing in Joe's Valley may be easy, there are a few things that you should know before heading up to this high desert mountain. For one, the temperatures can fluctuate drastically throughout the day and night. The best time to climb is in early spring or late fall, when temperatures are cooler and sandstone is less likely to be wet. Otherwise, you can climb anytime if the weather is right.

Valdez

Whether you're an experienced ice climber or new to the sport, Valdez has many great outdoor activities to offer. For instance, the city has a beautiful glacier located just outside of town, and you can visit it by raft, helicopter, or boat. There are even kayaking tours you can take if you want to experience the glacier up close. You can also hike to the bay, but this is only recommended for experienced hikers.

Mount Washington

Mount Washington is a popular climb for ice climbers, but its long ice season can make it dangerous. Though the climbs are not technically difficult, the long distance and exposure to the wind and cold make them tricky. During extreme cold, the mountain can quickly become like a dinner plate, and ice dams can form on bulges. In a tragic incident on Mount Washington in 1979, two young ice climbers fell to their deaths while attempting to rappel the mountain.