ICE CLIMBING INFORMATION ARTICLES

Ice Climbing Harnesses - Parts & Features

Ice Climbing Harnesses - Parts and Features

A Climbing Harness secures a person to a rope or an anchor during climbing. Simple harnesses can be made from ropes or nylon tapes usually connected by a carabiner. Other types are more comfortable and have additional components. Features of Climbing Harnesses include belay loop, gear loops, adjustable loops, rear haul loop, taper and padding.

Ice Climbing Harnesses have a variety of gear loops. The number of gear loops will depend on how you would carry your gear. Two or three loops can be used when carrying your rack using a shoulder sling while four loops are enough if you carry your gear strapped around your waist. Deciding how many loops you will use depends on the harness' capacity to accommodate them and on how convenient they are when used.

Ice Climbing Harnesses have an optional feature called the belay loop which connects the waist and the leg loops. The belay loop does not serve as a tie-in point for your climbing rope but rather enables clipping into anchors, a snap when anchoring into cold shuts or when belaying your partner while wearing mittens. Tying-in, on the other hand, can be done by threading the rope through the leg and waist loops.

Non-adjustable loops are practical if you climb under the same conditions all the time. If not, get adjustable loops which you can use in different conditions. Detachable leg loops are also convenient to use since this type can be easily handled when you can’t undo the buckle of your rope or when you do not like to remove your Crampons when removing your harness.

Haul loops are also included in most harnesses. Haul loops are a webbing loop at the back of the waist belt's backside, which can be used to clip on trail ropes, approach shoes, or chalk bags.

With regards to padding, Climbing Harnesses made from seat-belt material are suitable for Ice Climbing. This is because your clothes will serve as padding. In general, Ice Climbing and alpine harnesses do not have padding in the legs, plus they may or may not include padding in the waistbelt. Harnesses with waistbelt padding provide extra comfort and support and they only weigh an ounce or two.

It is recommended that when buying Climbing Harnesses, always look for waistbelts that have tapering in front. This is because the webbing does not push against your thighs while doing high stepping.

Familiarize yourself with the different parts and features of Ice Climbing Harnesses. As an ice climber, you should know not just how a piece of gear looks like but also its parts, features, as well as its uses.