Home wall fanatics – be sure to check out the latest gear for indoor ice climbing training, Dry Ice Tools.  DRY ICE Tools are Indoor Ice Axes used by looping stiff rubber straps over the holds used in rock climbing gyms.  The climbing motion is exactly the same as in ice and mixed climbing. Now you can prepare for the upcoming ice season, in your gym, without worrying about injuring someone or puncturing the pads with sharp points raining down from above.

How will they help my training/improve my climbing?

DRY ICE Tools mimic the movement and body positions used while Mixed and Ice climbing. Aside from the obvious grip strength and arm training, many climbers report an increased awareness of their footwork when using DRY ICE Tools. Footwork is the foundation of solid climbing, and DRY ICE Tools help bring the climbers awareness back to the feet.

Also, it’s no secret that rock climbing on many different types of rock makes you a better rock climber. We believe that many different types of climbing can also make you a better climber. Use DRY ICE Tools to diversify your time in the gym.  Indoor training doesn’t have to be just rock climbing anymore. By thinking outside the gym, DRY ICE Tools help climbers rapidly increase their library of climbing moves.  Check them out at www.DRYICETools.com

What makes DRY ICE tools better than other tools?

DRY ICE tools are better for three main reasons: 1) The handle of our tool is larger to accommodate for comfortable use with bare hands, indoors, in a gym.  Regular ice axe handles are of a smaller diameter because they are intended to be used while wearing gloves. 2) Other tools may have straps that have ‘teeth’ or a ‘taper’ with the intention of increased friction.  At Furnace Industries, we think that, like rock slippers vs. hiking boots, less grooves and a very slight taper means more friction on the holds. 3) DRY ICE tools have no sharp points!  This means you can use them indoors without fear of damage to the wall, the pads, your friends, or yourself!

Why did you make them out of wood?

After testing several different materials, we learned that wood was the best choice for DRY ICE tools because our hands did not slip off the grips when our hands perspired while climbing indoors.  Wood is lighter, less dense, but still provided the rigidity required for our purpose.  We also felt that, if a climber was to drop a tool (which should NEVER happen if they are being used properly with leashes) that the lighter wood handles provide a higher safety margin than other denser and heavier materials.

Be sure to head on in to the Michigan Ice Fest headquarters during the festival to check out these interesting tools!