>>189617Keep your eyes open for online used equipment. A lot of folks climb on a pair of crampons or use a pair of tools off a while and move on. Most all ice gear doesn't really "go bad" or even become unsafe to use. Depending on where you live or where you want to ice climb there might be consignment shops/gear stores with consigned stuff.
Keep your eyes open for online sales as well.
The basic stuff you'll need to get started is a set of ice tools (they are not ice axes, an ice axe is different) and a set of vertical ice climbing crampons. I prefer mono point, but some folks prefer dual points, especially when learning to climb, I would also reccomend looking for crampons that have vertical oriented front points as opposed to horizontal. These cold New England winters when the ice is brittle as fuck, it's nice to have vertical front points. Also the crampon should be a step in crampon, not a strap in style. There should a tie and a heal bail.
Most modern ice tools no longer come equipped with leashes. A lot of older tools come with them. Honestly the debate goes on and on about leash vs leash less. It's all personal preference, I prefer leashless tools when I'm leading, but definitely use a tether when I am climbing multipitch ice.
Of course a helmet. Always wear a helmet climbing.
More coming
