Ice Climbing History
Ice Climbing is an offshoot of European mountaineering during the 19th century. It is one of the many disciplines that branched out of Mountaineering like Rock Climbing.
There were two modifications that revolutionized Ice Climbing: (1) the invention and variation of Crampon and (2) development of climbing tools. These two instances have paved the way for the improvement of Ice Climbing both as a sport and leisure activity.
In 1908, British climber Oscar Eckenstein invented a crampon which is characterized by toothed claws attached to Mountaineering Boots. Eckenstein's crampon was a major improvement since it got rid of step-cutting on ice which makes Mountaineering and winter climbing dragging.
Twenty two years later, Laurent Grivel modified the existing crampon by putting protruding front points which allow steeper Ice Climbing and faster ascents. This also led to more challenging climbing routes. The front points designed by Grivel replaced the need for doing chop steps.
Modern ice axes or tools were not developed until the 1960s by the Americans. Yvon Chouinard experimented with axes in Europe in 1966. Together with a friend, they persuaded Charlet, a French equipment company, to lessen the length of Mountaineering ice axes to 55 centimeters and overturn the curve of the pick.
Because of the significant modifications in Mountaineering ice axes and crampons, Ice Climbing became quite easy and allowed steeper climbs. Vertical Ice Climbing today has come a long way, and modifications of the climbing tools defined its history.
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