Ice climbing in mittens is conceivable, but you’ll lose a lot of dexterity in your hands. As a result, when ice climbing, thin gloves are typically utilized to hold your axes.
However, there are still several situations when mittens might be useful when ice climbing. They’re especially useful when you’re belaying or waiting for your turn to climb because the extra insulation keeps your fingertips toasty. When it comes to climbing, though, mittens are frequently too thick to climb in properly, and they don’t provide the kind of control you need on tough ice. Because of this, we would recommend using thin gloves for ice climbing and bringing a pair of mittens for when you need to belay.
Ice Climbing in Mittens
As we mentioned, For ice climbing, mittens aren’t the greatest choice. Still, nothing is stopping you from climbing in mittens from a technical standpoint. They’ll keep your hands toasty, and you’ll be able to ice climb in them as long as your hand fits inside the grip of the ice ax.
Choosing between what you can accomplish and what you should do is a crucial issue. There’s nothing physically preventing you from ice climbing with mitts. The actual question, though, is whether it is the best option.
Remember that ice climbing is a very difficult and occasionally deadly activity, especially when leading. To escape a fall, you’ll need every advantage you can get.
Obviously, how properly your ice axes are situated is a significant factor. Getting a solid location necessitates good swing control.
You should also be able to ‘feel’ the placement before you weigh it to ensure that it is secure.
It’s more difficult to ‘test’ placements when you’re wearing gloves. The glove’s heavy padding makes it difficult to feel where your ice axe is placed, making it difficult to evaluate whether or not it’s safe.
Because the glove makes your hands and fingers awkward, manipulating the axe becomes more difficult. This makes it more difficult to get a good swing. When your fingers are stopped by the thick padding of a glove, getting an axe to stick in the ice requires the appropriate amount of force, angle, and time; all of these things are more difficult to perform when your fingers are hindered by the heavy padding of a glove.
Furthermore, aside from obstructing your swing’s tight mechanics, wearing gloves might obstruct a variety of other functions. Ice climbing isn’t only about swinging from ledge to ledge. You must install screws, slings, and v-threads; you must attach your gear and be able to tie into the rope, and you must manage a large amount of clothing and equipment at the same time.
All of these things necessitate finger dexterity to some extent. If you can’t use your fingers, placing an ice screw is a hassle, and you’re more likely to fumble and drop them.
Even when you’re not ice climbing, using mittens as your primary climbing glove can be dangerous.
Certain operations, like tying a figure-8 follow through or putting on crampons, are impossible to complete while wearing mittens. That implies you’ll have to remove your mittens fully to finish these chores.
Taking your glove off exposes them to the elements completely, which can be uncomfortable in good weather and dangerous in bad. Leaving your hands exposed to the elements will lead them to cool off quickly. This impairs your ability to grasp equipment, belay, and perform the majority of other ice climbing duties.
Layering System for Ice Climbing
Wearing many light-to-medium items of clothes on top of each other instead of one huge piece is known as layering. This provides the same level of warmth while also allowing you to strip down when you get too hot (or require mobility) before layering back up when it gets cold.
Layering for this question would entail wearing multiple pairs of gloves. You’d be able to use smaller, more nimble gloves for ice climbing, knot-tying, and any other activities that required more dexterity. You’d also put on a thick pair of mittens that you could put on when you’re belaying or taking a break.
This technique allows you to enjoy the advantages of mittens while avoiding the disadvantages. Simply remove the mittens when you need to climb, or whether you’re putting on your crampons or retying your laces, and enjoy the freedom of movement. Put the mittens back on as it gets colder or you’re not moving as much.
Pro tip: Bring some hand warmers and stuff them into your mittens. This will assist in rewarming your fingertips after being exposed to the cold for an extended amount of time.
Warm Weather
The best ice climbing is done in good weather. Nothing beats being able to enjoy your favorite sport without having to deal with cold toes, numb fingers, or wind-burned cheeks.
Warm weather necessitates the use of less clothing. Bring a lighter set of gloves with you to take advantage of this, which will give you better control over the ice.
We would recommend wearing one thin pair of gloves for climbing and one thicker pair of gloves or mittens for belaying in this type of weather (ranging from -7 to 0 degrees Celsius). This will allow you to sleep comfortably while yet taking advantage of the benefits of near-freezing temperatures.
Cold Weather
Things become a little more tricky in the winter.
When it comes to layering for chilly weather, the climber’s main concern should be keeping all possible options. With additional options, you will be able to make the most of what you wearing. Choosing a glove is a trade-off between warmth and climbing ability, and you might want to make sure to have the proper pair of gloves for the job.
As a result, we would advocate using a three-glove system. Because they’re suitable for year-round use, carry the same light climbing gloves and warm mittens as before. we would recommend, however, carry an intermediary: a pair of heated gloves that provide added protection while yet allowing for finger dexterity.
This third pair of climbing gloves can fill the gap between warm mittens and light, flexible climbing gloves. Assume you’re on your first ascent of the day, your hands are cold, and you don’t want to risk having hot aches by removing your gloves completely. In this case, the in-between gloves can save your life, and we would recommend them for any temperature below -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
