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Step 1
Attempt a Grade I ice climb if you only have an hour or 2 for climbing. Grade I climbs are easy, quick and require little equipment for both ascent and descent. Grade II climbs are relatively similar, except that they're longer. Both climbs require either no tools or some basic elements, such as gloves.
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Step 2
Take a Grade III climb if you want a longer climb (from several hours to half a day) that requires a rappelling (roped) descent but has enough resting spots that even beginner climbers can attempt it.
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Step 3
Do a Grade IV climb if you have experience with steep inclinations (at least 75 degrees), winter conditions and avalanche avoidance. From this point on, climbers attempting to take on a mountain should have professional guidance, past experience and theoretic education before attempting the climb.
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Step 4
Attempt climbs from Grade V to VI only if you're experienced and have been climbing for quite a while. Anything above Grade V requires significant competence, includes very few chances for rest, it's almost completely vertical and requires the use of specialized equipment.
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Step 5
Avoid Grade VII climbs unless you're an expert. They may require climbers to sleep suspended at high elevations and most routes include overhangings (climbing horizontally at angles over 90 degrees). Most of these routes are also in isolated locations with a high risk for avalanche and rock falls.













