Hi,I had to chime in. I climb ice and worked at the Ouray Ice Park in Ouray Colorado. I now live in Silverton,Co. and climb the frozen waterfalls around here in winter(soon!) On the beacon/tranceiver; whoever said to rent one was right, but if you're gonna go often, buy one. The newer technology now with most brands is analog and digital modes, plus 3 antennas for searching/receiving signals, in cases of multi burials. There is even one out now that will give you vital signs, so as you find buried persons, you can identify who is still alive, and concentrate on digging for them first. I think honestly the most important thing as said earlier is knowing how to use it CORRECTLY, and Even more than that is that whoever is with you knows how to use their's as well. Get one, go out with another person, take turns hiding/burying the beacon, and locating it using your new toy. Being proficient with it is a matter of living or dying, as time under the snow/ice is critical. I would highly recommend taking a weekend avalanche course in your area,OR for aday hire a certified guide to take you out and teach you basic skill, and using the beacon/ ice tools/knots/belaying. What you'd learn in one day with a guide in an instructor-student situation would be the easiest to learn as you can use trial and error, plus ask questions. Easier to learn in the classroom, than in a real emergency situation. The ice tools for climbing are way different that the mountaineering piolets. Out here in the OURAY ICE PARK in January we have a festival, anyone can show up and demo almost any kind of equipment related to ice climbing from tools to clothes. The tools are designed specifically for the task or type of climbing you are gonna do: "mixed" tools are for rock and ice climbing, generally on the same route, and are generally mostly now leashless, which enable you to switch hands on tool, rest in different positions, and to easily place ice screws or protection, all free of the leash. They are ussualy lighter, bent more on the shaft, and the picks are easyily replaceable on the route. Straight up and down water ice tools can be straight, but most are bent to hook, and pull over "cauliflower ice" and "mushrooms" and ledges. If it were me starting all over again, I would try as many kinds of tools as possible, and swing them over and over until you find the right ones for you. I have seen guys climb some very difficult routes, with some very old outdated equipment, making me realize it is not necesarily the tool, but the skilled operator of the tool. You want to be proficient, and use the least amount of energy as possible, learn to rest, and stay in control. If you ever are out this way in winter, and want to learn abit, or have the tools and the time, look me up. |