Ice climbing is the recreational activity of climbing ice formations such as icefalls, and frozen waterfalls. (Dry-tooling is climbing rock using the tools for ice climbing.) Depending on the slope and texture of the ice, different equipment and techniques can be employed by the climber. For example, on flat ice, almost any good hiking or mountaineering boot will usually suffice. On short, low angled slopes, one can use an ice axe to chop steps.
The first known ice climbing competition was organized in Courmayeur on the Brenva glacier in the year 1912. Maybe later there were some more events around the world and if somebody knows of any pls. send me mail about it.
The Himalayas may be higher, but it’s to the Andes that novice and expert ice climbers go to get their ice pick kicks. Several companies offer excursions in the Andes mountains of Peru, Chile and Ecuador, among them Islazul Tours in Quito, who specialise in the Ecuador peaks of Cayambe (18,997ft), Cotopaxi (19,348 ft) and Chimborazo (20,703 ft.).