Ice climbers and the ecosystem will be forced to adapt as winter patterns change, but Arnold believes the sport will survive. People who engage in outdoor activities are adaptable, he says. “Sometimes I get worried. But I don’t think it’s going to happen,” he says of the possibility of ice climbing becoming extinct.
already there the study This shows that mountaineers and climbers do not want to give up the sport and are ready to adapt their behavior to continue climbing. Strategies include changing when you choose to climb, moving to activities that are relevant but more compatible with your new environment, and finding new places to practice your sport.
In fact, this sport still attracts more and more people. “This is a problem. The periods are getting tougher, there are fewer ice falls, but at the same time there are more practitioners,” says Torretta. Finding good ice gives you a competitive edge. Moreover, according to a simple law of nature, the risk of accidents increases as something becomes more dangerous and the number of people exposed to it at the same time increases.
“The only way to find ice is to move further north or to higher altitudes,” Torretta said. Moving higher means some alpine flora and fauna species Already doing it. However, there is a limit at which the mountain cannot rise any further.
But there is another way to keep climbing using an ax and crampons. This is called dry touring, and involves climbing on bare rock using equipment made from ice. The technique, once considered a compromise for getting over the rocky slopes of frozen waterfalls, has now become a sport in its own right. “I think the future is dry,” Toretta says, but he’s not looking forward to it. “I still like climbing on the ice.”
However, some cliffs, slopes and mountainsides are becoming completely inaccessible as the ice melts. “The north face of the Matterhorn is a good example,” Arnold says. “There hasn’t been a great day for climbing in the last two years.” And dry tools aren’t an option. Rising temperatures are melting mountain permafrost, which previously served as a natural glue holding mountain rocks in place, but that is no longer the case. “Rockfalls never stop,” Arnold said.
And it’s not just the Matterhorn that will be affected. In general, permafrost is affected. disappearing from the alpine region. “Mountains are coming down,” Torretta said.
Therefore, current books on mountains are no longer reliable references. “We can no longer trust mountain guidebooks or reports on previous climbs. We can no longer trust mountain guidebooks or reports on previous climbs if they tell us that a certain month is the best time,” says Arnold. He advises anyone who wants to ice climb to check the line for safety daily. “Ask your local mountain guides who are familiar with the changes,” he says.
After all, the sport is riskier than ever before, ice changes are more volatile, and there is more uncertainty, so climbers need to be more sensitive than ever about when to stop climbing. there is. And sadly, climbers will have to stop climbing more and more often. “I’m going with a client tomorrow,” Arnold says. “It will be difficult to make a decision.”
