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Frozen waterfall climbing: ice is beautiful
It is not always possible to climb rock faces in winter. And mountain climbing means you have to be prepared for very severe conditions. The weather is unstable and a constant threat. Ice climbing is both very athletic and highly technical and a great winter alternative to rocks, letting you get close to the Alps without high mountain risks!
Climbing frozen waterfalls is a good way to enjoy the mountains in winter. The Pays du Mont-Blanc high-mountain guides are experts in the subject and invite you to try these unique routes. Their arguments are very convincing. First of all the beauty: the water freezes into splendid ice sculptures - it is difficult not to be moved by these crystal walls. Next, physical pleasure: with the right equipment, ice axes and crampons, and a few hours training, you too can enjoy the utter happiness of hanging on an ice wall looking for a way up.
Chamonix Valley has secret ice treasures near the Col des Montets and the Vallée du Trient and there are many other splendid, unfamiliar spots all around here. Experts use ice climbing techniques to get up frozen rock chimneys in winter but that is seriously tough! Over the last few years, a new kind of climbing has appeared called dry-tooling. Depending on the conditions, this technique is based on cutting holds on frozen walls with ice axes. And if you feel the cold, never forget that indoor climbing schools are ideal for training for excursions and that the Pays du Mont-Blanc has a wide choice! One of the biggest in France is at Les Houches, with just under 1,250 sq.m. of walls to climb and 110 routes prepared by top specialists!
