The most common way for the belayer to tie in to the anchor is with the climbing rope itself, using the first few feet of rope as it comes from its tie-in at the belayer's harness.

Rope handling takes practice. When belaying the leader, never let the rope get taut, because that would impede the climber's next move.

Succinct voice commands allow climbers to communicate even when they can not see each other.

Belaying is a bedrock technique of climbing safety, a system of using a rope to stop a fall if one should occur.

Snow climbers choose from a range of techniques that provide belay protection to their ropemates.

Knowing the technique of planting the ice-ax shaft to help guard yourself against falls while snow climbing is as important as knowing what to do if it occurs.

One mark of a skillful snow climber is the ability to go downhill efficiently and confidently.

In the event of a slip on snow, you must know how to regain control as quickly as possible.

If your party decides it would be safer overall to rope up, there are several different ways to match the type of rope protection to the conditions of the climb and the strengths of the climbers.

Anchors are needed in snow for the same reasons they are needed on rock.

Mountaineers read the snow surface and terrain features to determine a safe, efficient route.

Climbers have many ways to minimize the risk of avalanches and to increase their chances of survival if one hits.

Self-rescue is often the easiest and fastest crevasse rescue, regardless of party size.

While the climbers on top are busy going through the various steps leading toward final rescue, the fallen climber has work to do down below, beginning with the moment of recovery from the fall.

The depths of a great crevasse exhibit an awful beauty, both enticing and repellent.