crampons
Glacier boot spikes
Crampons are metal frames with spikes that attach to boots for traction on ice and hard snow.
Essential equipment for mountaineering and ice climbing, they bite into frozen surfaces that would otherwise be impassable: Without crampons, the glacier crossing would have been suicide.
The singular crampon exists but rarely appears—climbers wear a pair.
High-altitude peak climbing
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- ascentUpward movement
- climberOne who scales
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
glacier · peak · ridge · belay · carabiner · harness · piton · altitude
Slow-moving ice mass
- icefallSteep, crevassed glacier section
- firnYear-old compacting snow
- verglasThin transparent ice coating
- black iceInvisible frozen road surface
blue ice · frozen · crust · pick · adze · leash · self-arrest
Sharp metal protrusions
- pointsUnits of tally
- gripSecure manual hold
- footwearGarments for feet
- stabilityResistance to displacement
friction · footing · purchase · bite · heel · toe · binding · strap
Ankle-covering footwear
- mountaineering bootsRigid footwear for alpine ascent
- weltedHaving raised trim
- compatibleAble to work together
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
fit · attachment · lever · bail · frame · steel · aluminum · chromoly
alpinism
High-altitude peak climbing
expedition · glacier · peak · ridge · belay · carabiner · harness · piton · altitude · bivouac
glacier
Slow-moving ice mass
- icefallSteep, crevassed glacier section
- firnYear-old compacting snow
- verglasThin transparent ice coating
black ice · blue ice · frozen · crust · pick · adze · leash · self-arrest
spikes
Sharp metal protrusions
stability · friction · footing · purchase · bite · heel · toe · binding · strap · flex
boots
Ankle-covering footwear
- mountaineering bootsRigid footwear for alpine ascent
- weltedHaving raised trim
- compatibleAble to work together
adjustment · fit · attachment · lever · bail · frame · steel · aluminum · chromoly · lightweight
- expedition gearbackpack, binoculars, compass, climbing rope, canteen
- outdoor gearbackpack, tent, sleeping bag, hiking boots, compass
- specialized equipmentmedical devices, lab equipment, surgical tools, scalpels, MRI machines
- winter gearcoat, mittens, scarf, hat, boots
- climbingrock climbing, free climbing, belay, bouldering, carabiner
- mountaineeringsummit, alpinist, mountaineer, ice axe, ice axes
cramponsskis
Snow-gliding footwear
ice skates · skates · smooth soles · leather soles · sleds
cramponssnowshoes
Surface-spreading winter gear
flippers · swim fins · flotation devices · beach sandals · hiking boots