kick-step
Climber's foothold method
A kick-step is a mountaineering technique for ascending snow slopes by kicking the toe of each boot into the snow to create a foothold: We kick-stepped up the steep couloir.
The term also refers to the resulting foothold itself.
On descents, the heel is kicked in instead.
The technique works best in snow firm enough to hold but soft enough to penetrate.
Toothed traction device
- ice axeMountaineer's spiked implement
- glacierSlow-moving ice mass
- couloirSteep mountain gully
- firnYear-old compacting snow
alpine · ascent · self-arrest · belay · cornice · serac · snowfield · boot
Foot's small digit
- heelFoot's rear underside
- platformRaised flat structure
- stanceStanding posture or viewpoint
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
sequence · stamping · compaction · zigzag · switchback · traversing · ascending · descending
crampon
Toothed traction device
firn · alpine · ascent · self-arrest · belay · cornice · serac · snowfield · boot · traction
toe
Foot's small digit
rhythm · sequence · stamping · compaction · zigzag · switchback · traversing · ascending · descending · pacing