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Step 1
Think about gravity. This is the pull of the earth on all objects that keeps them from flying off into space. The gravitational pull in ice climbing physics is the same as that in rock climbing. Your fall rate is determined by your body weight, plus climbing conditions such as wind.
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Step 2
Add anchor systems. These are the cams, nuts, bolts or pitons a climber hammers into the ice face to create secure attachments for ropes. Physics comes into play with the type of anchor and the angles involved in an anchor system. In general, the stress increases on each anchor point as the angle of the bottom anchor point increases. There's more pull on anchors as the angle in the system becomes steeper.
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Step 3
Include the friction of belay devices. These are pieces of mechanical climbing equipment that help climbers control ropes through friction. The rope movement is slowed in the device, which works against gravity during a climber's fall or in helping a climber rise.
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Step 4
Consider climbing movements. Climbers exert their own force against the cliff, gravity, wind and other conditions by moving their bodies through muscle strength up and down the ice wall. There are dynamic moves, in which a climber "throws" himself ahead on the wall, and static moves, in which a climber slowly moves from one point to another by grasping anchors.
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Step 5
Factor in wind. The pressure exerted on climbers by wind can be small or great, push them upwards, downwards or sideways. Wind force may be sustained or come in gusts. The push of wind can work against gravity or enhance it's pull. A wind speed of 6 knots on the ground can be difficult to walk against. In climbing, it can seriously hamper movement and contribute to falls.
