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Ice-axe
a special device used for climbing on ice; the special handle (called the shaft) has a spike on one side and a small shovel on the other: the spike can be hooked in an ice wall, while the shovel may be used for cutting steps; alternatively an ice-axe may have a hammer; an ice-axe may serve as a belay stance

Adhesive climbing skins
in the past seal skin was attached to the bottoms of skis, but mohair, synthetic nylon or a mix of mohair and synthetic nylon strips are used instead, with the help of a special re-useable glue - these skins enable the skier to glide forward while impeding any slipping backward; descents are made without skins

Global Positioning System (GPS) handset
gives information on your location by measuring the distance from at least three satellites in orbit, whose positions are known; this small device also provides information on altitude, time, date and speed and direction of travel, as well as pointing to the next waypoint of a planned route

Carabiner
an oval piece of metal with a lock which serves to connect a climber's gear

Karrimat
a special 2.5cm-thick waterproof foam mattress which provides protection from both cold and dirt

Ski touring poles
these are usually telescopic in order that they can be made shorter for ascent or longer for descent; the best are poles with wide baskets at the bottom and a comfortable cork grip; ski touring poles can also double as avalanche search poles

Map
a document showing a portion of the Earth's surface viewed from above; both large and small scale maps are available - scale is the relationship between the distance on the map and the distance in reality (e.g. 1:50000, 1:25000 or 1:10000; the larger the number after the colon, the less detailed the map)

Alpine touring skis
these are more durable, lighter, broader, softer and more manoeuvrable than downhill skis, with a notch for the clip which keeps the skins in place and a hole in the top

Avalanche transceiver (or beacon)
this device enables either an avalanche witness or rescuers to mount a search-and-rescue operation quickly: the series of beeps emitted by the beacon is used to localise the victim; the transceiver is also used as a transmitter so don't forget to switch it on when you go off-piste skiing on an avalanche-prone slope - the beacon may save your life!

Contour line (or isohypse)
a line joining all of the points on a map which are of equal height

Pulkas
special light sledges with dragging bars and rope pickups: pulkas are the ideal solution for transport in snowy conditions

Crampons
a frame of sharp downward-pointing blades or spikes which can be mounted on boots to prevent sliding on ice; in the past a crampon was tied to a boot with leather straps, although they now have automatic or semi-automatic bindings

Ski stoppers (or ski-brakes)
are used to catch a loose ski; ski stoppers are mounted beneath the ski-boot

Ski wax (or glide or kick wax)
wax which makes your glides or kicks easier, while helping to maintain the bottoms of your skis; you can apply this wax cold or hot with a waxing iron or in a paste, liquid, spray-on or rub-on form; waxes are colour-coded - yellow wax is the middle one (around 00C), while red wax is softer and blue is harder (around -100C)

Ice screw
a tubular screw with a special eyelet, made of a durable material, which serves as a belaying device while ice-climbing

Harness
a system of traps, similar to shorts, used by a climber to attach a rope to the body; a seat harness, chest harness and full-body harness are available

Ski-touring bindings
have a construction that allows them to be set for climbing (free heel) or for skiing downhill (fixed-heel); these bindings may also be stiffened further to become fully operable downhill gear

 

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