Ice climbing is the art of ascending waterfalls that freeze over in the winter, becoming ephemeral climbing walls.
An outdoor sport that has seen incredible growth in recent years and a significant increase in its number of practitioners. Many climbing enthusiasts venture onto ice structures during the winter months, wearing crampon-compatible footwear and wielding special ice axes. Not a sport for the few, but undoubtedly an activity that requires good physical preparation, an expert guide to begin with, and the necessary knowledge, as well as equipment specifically designed for ice climbing and winter mountaineering.
AKU has developed technical footwear suitable for harsh winter climates, guaranteeing protection from the elements and high levels of warmth for prolonged use in cold environments. However, this isn't enough; two other elements make the difference in ice climbing: lightness and comfort. Aurai DFS GTX at 700 g, it's certainly the ultimate shoe for ice climbing and winter mountaineering enthusiasts. For comfort, the Aurai features the exclusive AKU Dual Fit System (DFS) technology, allowing for quick, dual adjustments: snug and ultra-sensitive for climbing, comfortable and soft to promote blood circulation during rest or approach.
Alessandro Beltrame, a filmmaker and mountaineer who has been working with AKU for several years, has chosen the Aurai DFS GTX for his winter climbs. We see him climbing the Salto dei Pachidermi waterfall in the Varaita Valley (Piedmont) and the Nicchia waterfall in the municipality of Gressoney la Trinitè (Aosta Valley).
Santi Padros, mountain guide and AKU ambassador, favors the Hayatsuki GTX for its versatility in various alpine environments, perfect for difficult terrain and mixed ice and rock climbing. Last year in Canada, he climbed legendary routes like Nemesis, 140m with a difficulty of WI6, at the Weeping Wall temple, where the ice can be thin, always overhanging, and it's difficult to set up belays and protection. This year, Santi instead explored his home mountains in the Armentarola area near San Cassiano (Bolzano), in Val Travenanzes (Belluno), and Val Pramper (Belluno) in search of new climbs.
"The large structures still need flow, but I think it'll be tough for them to grow as much as in other years. However, other waterfalls in the sun are forming and are climbable, but who knows how long…"
The higher-than-usual temperatures make us reflect on our footprint and further highlight the transitory nature of icefalls. Just as a monk models stunning mandalas that he will erase once they're finished, the ice climber also traces trajectories on stunning frozen cathedrals that will fade away in the warm rays of the spring sun.
