verglas
Thin ice layer
Verglas is a thin, transparent coating of ice that forms when rain or drizzle freezes on contact with cold surfaces.
Unlike thicker ice formations, verglas creates a smooth, glassy layer that's particularly treacherous on rocks and roads because it's nearly invisible.
Climbers use the term for ice glazing rock faces: The verglas made the summit approach impossible.
Invisible frozen road surface
- rimeGranular ice deposit
- hoarfrostFrozen fog deposit
- freezing rainPrecipitation forming ice on surfaces
- sleetPartly frozen precipitation
ice storm · frostwork · icicle · ice sheet · crystalline · glaciation · frozen · clear ice
Sport of climbing peaks
- alpinismHigh-altitude peak climbing
- cramponsSpiked boot attachments
- ice axeMountaineer's spiked implement
- fixed ropeAnchored climbing line
exposure · technical · ascent · rockface · couloir · belay · anchor · pitch
Smooth or craftily adept
- glassySmooth and shiny
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- glossySmooth and shiny
transparent · translucent · sheen · clear · see-through · reflective · mirror-like · sleek
black ice
Invisible frozen road surface
- rimeGranular ice deposit
- hoarfrostFrozen fog deposit
- freezing rainPrecipitation forming ice on surfaces
sleet · ice storm · frostwork · icicle · ice sheet · crystalline · glaciation · frozen · clear ice · ice crust
mountaineering
Sport of climbing peaks
- alpinismHigh-altitude peak climbing
- cramponsSpiked boot attachments
- ice axeMountaineer's spiked implement
fixed rope · exposure · technical · ascent · rockface · couloir · belay · anchor · pitch · summit
slick
Smooth or craftily adept
glossy · transparent · translucent · sheen · clear · see-through · reflective · mirror-like · sleek · lustrous
treacherous
Disloyal and dangerous
precarious · unsafe · risk · fall · accident · injury · skid · slip · slide · pitfall
freezing
Extremely cold
frosty · bitter · wintry · cold snap · temperature inversion · supercooled · moisture · humidity
verglassnow
Frozen crystalline precipitation
frost · hoarfrost · slush · powder snow · graupel
verglasbare rock
Exposed stone surface
grip · traction · sure footing · rough surface · sandpaper