Today was amazing!!! My body is sore, my breathing is constant and shallow, and I am thirsty!! Ice is so incredibly beautiful. I got way better today, the gear was easier to organize and deal with, tracking up the ice was easier. I have learned a lot so far:
- drink a liter of water every 3 hours when climbing
- get pants that have a zipper from the leg around the butt so that the whole back opens up (peeing in the snow with a harness and layers on is such a hassle)
- kick upward, keep heels low
- use natural foot placements, kick once or twice if you have to, trust your feet
- rest and shake out your hands every few moves to recirculate blood
- swing once, step both feet up, swing other tool, both feet up
- small, wide steps are best but bigger steps are better sometimes
- your tool placement is good when you can't pull it out with a few up/down wiggles
- only pull down on the handle of the tool, never pull out or on the head
- climbing ice is harder than it seems but easy and fun when you find a rhythm
- make a tripod shape with your body with one arm straight up hanging on the tool and one foot on each side
- rest on your feet, not on arms, especially bent arms (conserve energy)
- pull your arm into your side when it is bent, conserve energy, PUSH THE BUSH!!!!
- stemming is fun, bulges are hard, ice is so beautiful
- yoga helps with grace, flexibility and injuries on the ice (caroline says its the essence of life, I say I'm lazy)
- snow covered spots or sections are of a lesser angle and generally have better placements
- twist hips to reach high with tools without lifting heels
- keep arms straight, high, and lean away from the ice with heels low to see next foot placement
- don't fall!!!!!!!
