Alpine & Mountaineering | ClimbingTechTips

Steeped in history, the concept of Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering conjures visions of big peaks with grand adventures. This category also factors in the harsh realities of long slogs and cold temps!

Several generations of climbers began with Alpinism and Mountaineering. Extended hikes in the mountains turned into technical outings and thus Alpine Climbing was born.

In this series we cover an assortment of mountain skills required for surviving high-altitude weather and navigating technical terrain. We suggest you become well-versed in our Basic & Intermediate Outdoor Climbing video series, as well as our Ice Climbing and Traditional Climbing videos.

Let’s get started! Our Alpine & Mountaineering Climbing video series is below. Be careful, and have fun!

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Please remember, climbing is inherently dangerous. Climb at your own risk.

1 - Alpine - Ice Axe Positions

Alpine: 1. Ice Axe Positions

1. Ice Axe Positions In this video we review considerations for ice axe positions. The ice axe is the symbol of mountaineering. When used correctly,...

2 - Alpine - Crampon Selection and Use

Alpine: 2. Crampon Selection & Use

2. Crampon Selection & Use In this video we discuss crampon selection and crampon use, specifically for alpine climbing and mountaineering. This video also touches...

Alpine: 3. Taking Steps – Duck Foot, Flat Foot & Front Pointing

3. Taking Steps - Duck Foot, Flat Foot & Front Pointing In this video we show how to kick steps in the snow. When snow...

Alpine: 4. Snow Travel – Chopping Steps

4. Snow Travel - Chopping Steps In this video we look at how to chop steps for climbing snow. There are times in the mountains when...

5 - Alpine - Snow Travel - Duck Foot

Alpine: 5. Snow Travel – Duck Foot

5. Snow Travel - Duck Foot In this video we look at the duck foot technique for climbing snow. When ascending up a snow slope of...

6- Alpine - Snow Travel Considerations

Alpine: 6. Snow Travel Considerations

6. Snow Travel Considerations Snow is an incredible medium on which to travel, and often provides efficient travel conditions. In this video, we look at...

Alpine: 7. Efficient Snow Travel

7. Efficient Snow Travel When getting into mountaineering, it is worth it to invest time in learning and practicing the most efficient stepping techniques. Mountains...

8 - Alpine - Changing Directions

Alpine: 8. Changing Directions in Snow

8. Changing Directions in Snow Let’s look at how to change directions when climbing steep snow slopes. When switchbacking up a steep snow slope, you...

9 - Alpine - Crampon Anti-Balling Plates

Alpine: 9. Crampon Anti-Balling Plates

9. Crampon Anti-Balling Plates In this video we discuss crampon anti-balling plates. Snow can stick to the bottom of your crampons, especially in wet snow...

10 - Alpine - Descending on Snow

Alpine: 10. Descending on Snow

10. Descending on Snow In this video we look at descent techniques on snow. Investing time to become comfortable and efficient while descending snow helps...

11 - Alpine - The Self Arrest

Alpine: 11. The Self-Arrest

11. The Self-Arrest In this video we review the self-arrest technique, a way of stopping a slip and fall on steep snow. Self arresting involves...

12 - Alpine - How to Glissade

Alpine: 12. How to Glissade

12. How to Glissade In this video we look at proper glissading technique. This is a fancy term for sliding down the snow; either standing...

13 - Alpine - Snow Anchors - Creating a Ballard

Alpine: 13. Snow Anchors – Creating a Ballard

13. Snow Anchors - Creating a Ballard In this video we build a snow bollard. This is a type of snow anchor that can be...

Alpine: 14. Snow Anchors – Equalization

14. Snow Anchors - Equalization In this video we look at how to equalize snow anchors. Building snow anchors follows many of the same principles as...

15 - Alpine - Snow Anchors - Using your Ice Axe

Alpine: 15. Snow Anchors – Using your Ice Axe

15. Snow Anchors - Using your Ice Axe In this video we take a look at anchors using an ice axe. An ice axe can...

Alpine: 16. Gear Considerations

16. Gear Considerations In this video we look at gear for mountaineering and alpine climbing. Alpinism has become synonymous with concepts like “fast and light,”...

Alpine: 17. Selecting Alpine Boots

17. Selecting Alpine Boots Selecting alpine boots is typically based on mountain objectives, plus conditions. Factors include weather, altitude, and terrain. Here we look different...

Alpine 18. Selecting Ice Axes & Ics Tools

18. Selecting Ice Axes & Ics Tools Here we depict different styles of ice axes and “ice tools”. Selection factors include specific climbing objectives, and...

17 - Alpine - Clothing Considerations

Alpine: 19. Clothing Considerations

19. Clothing Considerations How do you dress for all the possible conditions you might encounter on an alpine climbing mission? In this video, we dive...

18 - Alpine - Staying Dry and Warm

Alpine: 20. Staying Dry and Warm

20. Staying Dry and Warm In this video we talk about staying dry and warm in the mountain environment. Specifically, we will address layering and...

19 - Alpine - Food and Water Considerations

Alpine: 21. Food & Water Considerations

21. Food & Water Considerations In this video we discuss food and water options for mountaineering. People often default to dehydrated packaged meals, but they can...

20 - Alpine - Base Camp Considerations

Alpine: 22. Base Camp Considerations

22. Base Camp Considerations In this video we look at how to choose an alpine basecamp. When selecting a base camp area, there are a...

21 - Alpine - Bivy Considerations

Alpine: 23. Bivy Considerations

23. Bivy Considerations In this video we discuss bivying in the mountains. A bivy is a term for a simple camp set up, often using...

22 - Alpine - Knot Considerations

Alpine: 24. Knot Considerations

24. Knot Considerations In this video we discuss the knots we use in alpine environments. These are relatively simple knots, even though the terrain is...

23 - Alpine - Ascending fixed Lines

Alpine: 25. Ascending Fixed Lines

25. Ascending Fixed Lines In this video we look at how to ascend fixed lines. Sometimes, ascending steep snow via fixed lines is an efficient...

24 - Alpine - Team Rope and Travel Considerations

Alpine: 26. Team Rope and Travel Considerations

26. Team Rope and Travel Considerations In this video we consider multiple rope travel scenarios in the mountains. There are several things to think about...

25 - Alpine - Kiwi Coil

Alpine: 27. The Kiwi Coil

27. The Kiwi Coil The kiwi coil allows you to adjust the amount of rope between you and your partner. Many beginner or novice alpine climbers...

26 - Alpine - Rappelling with Crampons and Ice Tools

Alpine: 28. Rappelling with Crampons & Ice Tools

28. Rappelling with Crampons & Ice Tools In this video we discuss rappelling with crampons and ice tools. - When rappelling with crampons and ice...

27 - Alpine - Light and Fast Gear Considerations

Alpine: 29. Light & Fast Gear Considerations

29. Light & Fast Gear Considerations In this video we sort through our light and fast gear for alpine climbs and mountaineering. The theme throughout...

28 - Alpine - Transitions

Alpine: 30. Transitions

30. Transitions Here we discuss transitions between snow, ice, and rock in the mountain environment. Part of the fun in alpine climbing is the varying...

29 - Alpine - Travel Methods

Alpine: 31. Travel Methods

31. Travel Methods Here we discuss travel methods for alpine climbing and mountaineering. Across the arenas of alpinism and mountaineering, there are several travel methods which...

Alpine: 32. Islands of Safety

32. Islands of Safety When traveling in the alpine realm, we look for optimal travel routes to hopefully reduce risk. This includes locating possible “Islands...

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