{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFS120455\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E(Published November 2024, replacing January 2018)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EIntroduction\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThis page looks to give the facts a person would need to know to run Ice Climbing for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves if they are a young person.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EDefinitions\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIce Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0generally refers to the climbing of ice formations such as icefalls and frozen waterfalls, although there are now also artificial ice climbing walls available. Ice climbing is climbing done using ice climbing equipment and/or on ice surfaces, this includes dry tooling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDry tooling\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E involves climbing rock or artificial structures using ice climbing equipment; such as ice axes and either crampons or rock shoes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESingle Pitch Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E is where a climb can be completed in one stage (pitch) where the rope is anchored only once and not moved on to form a second pitch, and from which the climber can safely walk off unroped from the top, or can be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMulti-Pitch Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E is where a route that can only be completed in two or more stages (pitches), or from which the climber cannot safely walk off unroped from the top, or cannot be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETop Rope\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E refers to a single pitch climb where the climber is belayed either by a person at the top of the climb, or by a person at the bottom of the climb when the rope runs from the belayer through an anchor at the top of the climb.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELead Climbing\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0refers to a climb where the climber places protection devices into the rock face, or uses pre-installed protection devices, to clip their rope into as they climb.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWhat is an Ice Climbing Permit?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore all activities classed as adventurous can only be lead by someone holding the appropriate permit. Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAn ice climbing permit is required for all ice climbing activities, including those using ice climbing equipment such as dry tooling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EA climbing permit is required for all other climbing activities, except bouldering and those using auto belay systems.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ELevels of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThere are five levels of permit available for ice climbing. These are:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EArtificial Top Rope\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENatural Top Rope\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EArtificial Lead\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENatural Lead\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMulti-Pitch\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EEach permit can be restricted (such as through specific locations, etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of the competence and requirements of any person.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EAll natural rock permits cover the equivalent artificial permits, unless restrictions state otherwise.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETypes of Permit\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThere are three types of permit available for Ice Climbing. These are:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 Allows a young person (under 18) to take part in ice climbing with other youth members with a personal ice climbing permit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 Allows the permit holder to lead ice climbing for a single group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 Allows the permit holder to supervise more than one ice climbing group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EPermit Limitations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPersonal\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 If you hold a personal ice climbing permit you can go ice climbing with other youth members (under 18) who also hold a personal ice climbing permit. Ice climbing undertaken must only be to the level of the person with the lowest permit held within the activity group. It does not allow you to go ice climbing with anyone not holding an ice climbing permit.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 If you have a permit to lead ice climbing you can lead one rope system at a time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESupervisory\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u2013 If you hold a permit to supervise ice climbing then you can supervise up to three rope systems at a time. You should remain in a position to be able to effectively supervise and assist all rope systems. You remain responsible for all the groups you are supervising, but can designate someone with the appropriate skills to be the rope leader of each group.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENote:\u003C/strong\u003E No supervisory permit is available for multi-pitch ice climbing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EDesignations\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhen supervising more than one rope system, the holder of an ice climbing supervisory permit needs to designate a rope leader for each group. This rope leader can then act as the belayer. This designation lasts only for the current activity while the permit holder is supervising.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPeople designated as rope leaders should hold the skills; including being able to competently belay, and be responsible enough to lead the rope system that has been set up. There is no problem with making young people rope leaders if they are up to the role, and it can be used as a useful development tool.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EIce Climbing and Hillwalking\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhere any element of ice climbing involves walking in\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003ETerrain One \u003Cspan\u003Eor \u003C/span\u003ETerrain Two\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ethen the relevant hillwalking permit is required by a member of the group. This includes walking to or from a climbing area.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EWeather\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe weather can create risks for all adventurous activities, but it can present particular dangers for ice climbing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPermit holders should know where to find local weather information and should take historical weather conditions into consideration. Knowledge of weather conditions relevant to ice climbing is included in the assessment checklist.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"AC120917 Ice Climbing","buttonLink":{"name":"AC120917 Ice Climbing Nov 24","id":null,"url":"https://prod-cms.scouts.org.uk//media/zmwb2o2y/ac120917-ice-climbing-may-2025.docx","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":null,"label":null},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.7\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.7 Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.7\u0022\u003ERule 9a.7\u003C/a\u003E Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.8\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.8 Adult Groups undertaking activities\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.8\u0022\u003ERule 9a.8\u003C/a\u003E Adult groups undertaking activities\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9b-requirements-for-specific-activities/#9b.4\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Climbing\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9b.4\u0022\u003ERule 9b.4.3\u003C/a\u003E Climbing and Abseiling\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Policy, Organisation and Rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.1\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022General\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.1\u0022\u003ERule 9a.1\u003C/a\u003E All Activities\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9a-activities/#9a.6\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Rule 9.6 Use of External Centres and Instructors\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#9a.6\u0022\u003ERule 9a.6 \u003C/a\u003EUse of External Centres and Instructors\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"General activity rules","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/media/12576/ac120917-ice-climbing-jan-19.docx\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Assessment checklist for ice climbing\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/?orderBy=title%20asc\u0026amp;category=Adventure\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?orderBy=title%20asc\u0026amp;category=Adventure\u0022\u003EActivities A-Z\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/roped-activities/climbing-and-abseiling/\u0022 title=\u0022Climbing and Abseiling\u0022\u003EClimbing and Abseiling\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/general-activity-guidance/activity-helmets/\u0022 title=\u0022Activity Helmets\u0022\u003EActivity helmets\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.nhs.uk\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHealth benefits of climbing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Discover the facts a person would need to know to run Ice Climbing for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"14 July 2023","reviewDate":"11/12/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":45581,"nodeName":"Ice climbing","title":"Ice climbing","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Ice climbing","headerSubTitle":"","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Discover the facts a person would need to know to run Ice Climbing for a group of young people, or to do it for themselves.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NTU4MSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/ice-climbing/"}