CLIMB SKILLS
›HOW TO:
SHARPEN UP FOR WINTER
It’s freezing down to sea level, avalanche risk is low, and you’ve rounded up a willing partner: winter climbing beckons and the clock is ticking, but have you checked your gear yet? Get ahead of the game and sharpen up your tools before the perfect weather window arrives.
W
inter climbing gear can take a real hammering and, quite often, you’ll trust your life to the equipment in your hands. Halfway up the North Face of Ben Nevis is no place to have equipment fail on you – so it’s really worth spending time ensuring it’s all in tip-top working order. And let’s not forget, sharp crampons, picks and ice screws can all make a huge difference to the difficulty of routes. Here’s what you can do:
THE PERFECT PICK
Check your ice tools over for cracks and damage to the pick, shaft and spike. Is the head securely attached and are all rivets secure? Be cautious of any signs of dents, cracks, or damage, particularly on the inside of the shaft. Sharp picks will make any ice climbing feel miles easier, so get to it. You’ll need a flat metal file, a vice to hold the pick in, and some gloves to protect your hands. Work slowly to avoid heating the metal too much – never use a grinder or other powered tool.
Unsure how to sharpen your picks? Check out one of the many tutorials on YouTube.
CUTTING-EDGE CRAMPONS
Keep your crampons sharp by storing them in a crampon bag; it’ll also help stop them from puncturing holes in all your other kit when not wearing them too. To check for damage and wear, be sure to examine all over the frames, particularly around the area of the front and secondary points, and check the condition of the straps, bindings, and the anti-ball plates. Spare parts for most crampons are widely available, so there is no excuse
“BLUNT ICE SCREWS PROVIDE THEIR SPECIAL BRAND OF TERROR, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE PUMPED.”
74 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
for risking a breakage by using worn-out kit. Sharpen up the front points with the same tools used to sharpen your picks – you’ll reap the benefits when your calves start to burn on the crux of your big lead!
ICE SCREWS
Blunt ice screws provide their special brand of terror, especially when you’re pumped, desperately struggling to place one on a dicey lead. Although they tend to stay sharp longer than picks and crampons, let’s be honest, it’s better to always know your rack of screws is sharp. For faff-free sharpening, invest in Petzl’s Lim’Ice sharpening tool, which also works on Black Diamond and Grivel screws. This has really revolutionised home sharpening, so if you winter climb intensively it’s worth considering getting one.
Sharpening manually can be done, but is a skilled, time-consuming job. If you want to do it, you’ll need a small round file in addition to the tools used to sharpen your picks and crampons. Clamp the screw between two pieces of wood and follow a YouTube video from one of the manufacturers.
Some retailers also offer sharpening services that may be worth checking out.
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