How to Ice Climb Series #3: Solid Steep Ice Technique

Ice climbing should feel fluid, relaxed, fun and like it would take a small earthquake to knock you off. Here's how to move well on steep ice. Any fool can climb ice poorly, but learning some solid principles and actually climbing ice with a reasonable safety margin takes some knowledge. Principles for movement learned after climbing ice poorly for 15 years, and better for the last 20+

[@johnvanek2931]

“It looks like the ‘80s; not good.”

[@testboga5991]

"if I fall off, I'm probably gonna brake my ankles, so if you do this, use a toprope" Exactly the right words one wants to hear in an instruction video"

[@RPD_ps]

Please keep these coming. As someone who has just done winter mountaineering but has some interest in the basics of ice climbing, theyre fantastic resources!!

[@pavelkali5962]

Love to watching you, dense dose of solid information combined with positive enegy coming out from so cheerful person! 💪🤟Ask for more! BTW when your new edition of ice&mixed climbing book will be released in Europe? We all are waiting from two years, I saw cover on web but nowhere physically available😪

[@willgadd2187]

Spring :)

[@NNPerfection]

Cat and cow

[@Vince-ml9gw]

As a guy who ice climbed in the 80s I’m sensing that technology and techniques have changed……..🤣

[@OOO-eb1rs]

威老师讲得太棒了，你的视频从二十岁看到了三十多岁，永远支持你！❤🎉

[@SonofIce514]

Such a nice work Mr Will I'm learning a lot from you. In September I'm planning to summit Spantik Peak 7000+m in northern Pakistan. I'll apply these techniques there.

[@jasonniemeier382]

No lie... this might be the best mountaineering/climbing related video for mastering a technical skill. Hats off to you Mr Gladd, hats off to you

[@BrettGilmour]

This series is gold. Keep them coming Will.

[@jjburnes5176]

You inspired me to get into ice climbing this season and I started watching your vids as I prepped for my first trip. Then my guide/instructor also recommended you. Thank you for producing such great content and sharing your knowledge!

[@willgadd2187]

Thank you!

[@thesebarehandsmusic]

I will likely never do this but now I know how to. Terrific.

[@kevinnormoyle9627]

"looks like the '80s ..not good" Heh!

[@ThomasWuyts]

Haha, incredible, ice season is literally only days away now and the way you explained the basic movement in the air is exactly how I find myself in front of the mirror getting the mantra in 😂 Also like you said, it took (and will continue to take me) years to get this movement dialed in. I still need to remind myself when in front of a steep piece of ice (especially pillars). That said: when teaching new ice climbers, immediately getting them comfortable with this movement as 'THE way to climb ice' without passing through the caterpillar-movement first, is very successful: if you start of right, the movement will also feel right much faster than trying to convince yourself of it over many seasons. Thanks for being a pillar of the ice climbing community, Will

[@dannylonsdale7436]

Hi Will, thanks very much for this fantastic tech series, I’ve really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. One thing I think you have not covered (forgive me if I missed it) is placing a screw while on lead? I was mainly looking to see what body position you would be in while placing the screw. Would that be bum away from the ice while hanging on long straight arms, or stood up with hips close to the ice? Assuming you could get your weight in your feet and relaxed arms. Cheers.

[@willgadd2187]

There's a video later in the series that covers it pretty well, let me know if you have an issue finding it cheers!

[@guillaumetisserand5567]

Thank you!🙏💪

[@Enorme81]

Amazing series! I loved it Will! I think you just missed to show how to switch tools, since there are different ways.

[@willgadd2187]

There's a good session on that in the other clips I think, check it out :).

[@andrewhowarth7260]

Oh yeah! Cracking vids thanks for the lessons 👍👍👍

[@willgadd2187]

Glad you like them thanks!

[@hardeepandfast]

Oh yeah!

[@waynerenshaw-multi-outdoor4521]

Just subscribed to your channel Will , Your vids reminded me when I use to ice climb in the late 90s and I watched Jeff Lowe extreme ice climbing with bird ... I watch his vids over and over again, until his skills were imprinted into my mind, after watching his 3hr video tape over 12 to 15 times , I took on board and went to North Wales and climbed an ice wall solo and completed it, then went to Scotland where I ice climb a grade IV and lead it to ... loving all the info you are giving as I'm back into ice climbing after 20yrs absence due to other sports from mountain biking to road biking and back to mountain biking and gravel biking and finally going back into ice climbing and rock climbing... cheers for the refreshers much appreciated 👍 🥾🥾⛏️⛏️

[@willgadd2187]

Those were great videos, loved Jeff! Welcome back to, in Jeff's words, the "Ice world!"

[@Vicentecarmonagonza]

Excellent!! 👏👏👏👏

[@portalbudo]

Thanks

[@grb45555]

Does anyone know what those pants are called?

[@willgadd2187]

Gamma AR most likely. Arc'teryx.

[@SileDevil]

nice series

[@박해성-o7f]

보고 또 보아도 아주유익한 정보 많은 도움이지만요 좀 아쉬운건 한글 자막이 않나오니까 조금은 보는 저는 답답합니다

[@mxgddss]

Its all in the hip twist

[@willgadd2187]

Elvis.

[@dangerdave138]

you're the man will

[@mstamps331]

Exceptional explanations of the mechanics of upward movements! Thanks!