When a sharp piece of steel pierces a brittle, seemingly delicate structure, one would expect the structure to shatter. Simple physics and common sense would tell us that hardened steel is stronger than ice.

I wonder about this every time I go ice climbing. It’s difficult not to think about this when the two sharp steel points on my crampons (the metal attachments to shoes or boots for snow and ice travel), are just barely 1⁄4-inch into the ice and supporting my entire body weight. The same goes for my climbing axes as I delicately negotiate an improbable smear of ice.

This is ice climbing season. One might think about Colorado or New Hampshire when images of frozen icicles dance around in one’s head, but the Southern Appalachia can have a decent amount of ice to climb. A combination of cooler temperatures, plenty of water, and some higher elevations provide a good platform for climbable ice to form. Typically, ice can be found on the north-facing sides of taller peaks where the sun’s melting rays have less time to do their damage.

Frozen water is strong, but it does have its weaknesses. Many unsuspecting climbers have been hit or even killed (personal acquaintances included) by huge chunks of ice that fall or “blow” off. Unseen fracture lines can give way under the weight of a free-hanging pillar. Even from a distance, the sound of crashing ice can make the average climber cry out. Ice, when it freezes quickly, can become very brittle and shatter easily, sending little fractures flying everywhere. There is another phenomenon in ice climbing called the “dinner plate.” This occurs when the ice surrounding the pick forms a circular fissure point, about the size of a dinner plate, which may or may not blast off under pressure.

Brittle, easily shattered, or cracking are words used to describe the ice in bad conditions. Yet there are few words that can capture the sound of a landing pick when the ice is good. Think about the sound that Walt Disney Studios uses in its cartoons when an arrow lands solidly into the ground. When a well-thrown axe strikes soft, receiving ice, the assurance and comfort one feels is like drinking a warm cup of cocoa with little marshmallows floating on top.

As scary as ice climbing sounds (and it is), the risk involved can be managed to a degree. The right clothing (lots of it), good equipment, proper instruction or a qualified guide, and a well-placed anchor for the rope all help manage the inherent risk. Ice climbing is not, however, a sport for the minimalist. There can be some real problems for those going with the ‘bare-minimum,’ freezing being the worst.

Ice climbing is clearly not an activity for everyone, nor is it a good spectator sport. But for those willing to tolerate cold temperatures, climbing ice can be exciting and even fun.

Stuart Cowles is the owner of ClimbMax (climbmaxnc.com) at 43 Wall Street and is an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. He can be reached at 828.252.9996.