Over the past several months the folks at American Alpine Institute have been repeatedly asked about safety issues related to traveling solo on glaciers. After the recent death of a 31-year-old man climbing Nama Peak in Sichuan, China whose fatal fall was caught on video after he reportedly unhooked from safety rope to take photos, they have taken to social media to address safety issues while navigating glaciers around the world by examining a few high profile accidents caught on video. While solo glacier travel is an “incredibly dangerous thing” it does’t mean its impossible:
“The core take-away of this video isn’t that you should never travel solo on a glacier, but that you should have the appropriate experience prior to doing such a thing. We believe that you should fully understand the consequences, and that you should have at least 100-days of roped glacier travel before traveling solo on a glacier. There has been an uptick in solo glacier fatalities. Many of those who died in accidents had limited experience. Don’t become a statistic. Get the appropriate training. And then put years in before even considering solo glacier travel.” -American Alpine Institute
The American Alpine Institute is a climbing school and guide service that operates in several states and countries and have pioneered technical climbing education in the United States for the past half a century. They are incredible resource for those looking to get expand their outdoorsmanship in the mountains and offer a wide variety of educational opportunities for the general public. Remember, being realistic about your skills, fitness, and risk tolerance is the foundation for a successful climb. Learn more about the American Alpine Institute HERE.
