The day was gorgeous sunny Catskill when we, New York Korean Alpine Club members left New
Jersey. The team terminated official schedule for ice climbing. Most of the time, they spent a few
weeks at Kaaterskill creek or Black Chasm. The club set up plans to climb Alpamayo and Huayhuash trekking in Peruvian Andes. Last year the team reached the top of Chopicalqui peak
that is sister peak of Huascaran. The ascent was recorded as 1st ascent of Korean mountaineers.
The club haven't practiced how to manage to climb snow slopes or icy terrain at high altitude,
even at the White Mountain,NH. So the day was perfect timing for everyone to experience how to
step on snow slope. Most of them only relying on hiking poles all the time. So they needed to horn
using ice axe.
Seungmo Shin mentioned easy-zig-zag step that is originated from the French Alps. Shin was not
using crampon, instead he wore long ankled ski boot. The 1st one thing he emphasized was to
plunge ice axe, vertical on whatever snowy slope. As well he showed piolet ramasse position for
steep terrain, relatively lowering body posture, grabbing pick area of the ice axe, while other
hand lifting slightly mid part of shaft of ice axe. He was asked to show self arrest posture as one
slip off from the slope. Lastly he showed scaling knee deep snowy terrain, plunging ice axe to
hilt of ice axe, using body weight, then with kick step, he showed demo.
Mr. Sang Yoon Park who is former president of the club introduced him as the 1st instructor for
Kolon Climbing School in Korea since 1985. The day was perfect.
