A word of caution regarding crampons and trees...I had a mate who, upon buying ice climbing gear in preparation for Aconcagua, couldn't wait to try them out, so he started to climb the tree outside his house. Things went a bit pear shaped a mere metre up when, after having swung the ice axes nice and high, he was stretched out too far and couldn't move. Quite a sight for all the motorists driving by, before a low altitude rescue took place. |