Ice and Mixed Climbing Modern Technique Will Gadd

"Mixed climbing is my favorite discipline. It's the most fun because it has the fewest rules--sort of like professional wrestling compared to boxing." So says Will Gadd, as profiled in "Fifty Favorite Climbs. Here the champion ice climber presents the same techniques and veteran wisdom he imparts to those who attend his annual clinics. These include step-by-step instructions for the swing (ice axe), the kick (footwork), and putting it all together (tracking); how to "read" ice to select your line and follow it safely; and drytool techniques for mixed climbing. Training exercises and inspirational stories complete this seminal guide.

Gear. Gear maintenance -- Eat and dress for success. Climb ice! / by Kim Csizmazia -- Basic ice climbing -- Anchors and leading. Barry Blanchard whips ice climbing / by Barry Blanchard -- Descending. Big routes : modern tactics for speed and warmth -- Advanced ice techniques. Suffer machine fall / by Raphael Slawinski -- Leading and protecting mixed routes -- Mixed climbing -- Moving in mountains in winter. The golden rule / by Rob Owens -- Systems for survival. A lesson / by Will Gadd -- Training for winter climbing. Cluster luck / by Scott Semple.