flow to the body’s core, and starts to shut
down blood flow to the extremities of the arms
and legs,” said Blaicher. Wearing flotation gear
dramatically improves your ability to breathe,
swim and lift yourself out of the water, he adds.
To get out of the water and onto safe
ice, kick.
Kick vigorously to get yourself into a horizon-
tal, floating position. Swim in the direction from
which you came; that ice has already supported
your weight. Reach forward onto the ice and
gently lift your torso to drain water from your
A
clothing and reduce your weight.

C
ANAD
Then kick into a horizontal position again, and
OF
thrust yourself up onto the ice like a seal, using
UB

CL
your arms and legs to propel yourself forward.
Do not stand up.

CLIMBING
Raise your upper body so water drains from
your clothing again. Look ahead to make sure

ALPINE

OF
you are going in the right direction.
Ice climbing
Do not stand up.

CHAPTER
Crawl forward on your stomach. Staying flat
A
A
W
distributes weight evenly, lessening your chances TT
of falling through again. Only stand up when you
around Ottawa?

B
Y

O
reach ground or solid ice.
T
O
P
HO
What should you do then? Blaicher advises

you to either get to any shelter you can reach
within 30 minutes, or stay put and protect
TAKE YOUR PICK!
yourself from the elements. In either case, wring MARCEL vAuTOuR
out wet clothes and change into dry ones if you
have any. If you’re on the move, keep moving du Poisson Blanc and Gatineau Park all offer
to generate heat, but don’t exhaust yourself. If >>
Ice climbing is one of those liberating
experiences. Before you stands a tow- great climbs.
you’re sitting it out, wrap yourself in some kind ering fortress of ice just begging to be climbed. Getting started with ice climbing can be
of insulation and create a wind break. When After you’ve studied it and checked your gear a challenge: it’s a gear-intensive sport which
possible, get off the ice and build a fire. and convinced yourself that you’re up to the requires technical knowledge of knots, rope
What if you see someone else go through challenge, off you go. As you climb, swing by skills, protection, belaying, etc. And some climb-
the ice, and have no training? Don’t attempt swing and kick by kick, your mind enters a state ing areas can be a challenge to find. Luckily,
a rescue, says Blaicher. Call 911 and wait for of trance which blurs any surrounding sound the Ottawa area has a local section of the
the professionals. or thought. Alpine Club of Canada which organizes outings
Better yet, avoid the whole disaster. When All you hear is the sound of the picks and and courses, as well as a coveted “intro to ice
unsure if the ice is safe, avoid it! crampons resonating in the ice – “whack, whack, climbing” clinic run by qualified local climbers.
THUMP!” – and that inside voice insisting, The volunteer-driven Ottawa group also offers
“Don’t fall … don’t fall.” At that moment, you and Nordic and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing,
the ice are one. hiking, rock climbing and just plain fun.
Simple safety gear
Technical ice climbing (not the same as Want to get started in ice climbing? Then
the mountaineering “alpine” version) involves check out the Alpine Club of Canada’s Ottawa
Canada’s Life Saving Society ascending ice formations. Climbers use ropes section: http://alpineclubottawa.ca. For Ottawa-
(www.lifesaving.ca) says carry and other forms of protection while climb- Gatineau ice conditions it’s http://groups.yahoo.
a small safety kit when you head ing frozen waterfalls. Their primary pieces of com/group/GatineauClimbing. For the Adiron-
out onto the ice. Include a lighter, equipment are the technical ice tools they hold dacks, visit http://www.neice.com.
waterproof matches, a magnesium onto, and the pointy crampons attached to their
fire starter, a pocket knife, a compass boots. This gear enables them to work their way “Men wanted for hazardous
and a whistle. Keep a cellphone in up ice formations, alternating between tool and journey. Small wages. Bitter cold.
a waterproof, soft-plastic pouch. foot placements. Long months of complete darkness.
Ice picks and rope are worth their You’ll find some world-class ice climbing sites Constant danger. Safe return doubtful.
weight in lifespan. Spare dry clothing within a few hours drive of Ottawa. Quebec and Honour and recognition in case of
in your vehicle is another good idea. the Adirondacks region in northern New York success.”
State attract some of the world’s top climb- Newspaper ad placed by Ernest Shackleton
ers. Closer to home, Calabogie, Edelweiss, Lac
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca OTTAWA >> WINTER 2007/2008 27
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