Ice Climbing

Ice climbing requires ascending frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and ice-covered rock using crampons, ice axes, and techniques that account for the medium's structural instability. Unlike rock, ice fractures unpredictably, and seracs (ice towers) can collapse without warning, killing experienced climbers even on routine ascents. Will Gadd pioneered a first ascent of Niagara Falls in 2015, and Angelika Rainer holds the most competitive titles in the sport's history. With an average annual death toll of 50-70 climbers from avalanche and fall events, ice climbing is roughly 5x more lethal per participant than #7 freediving, though far fewer attempt it.