Mountains
Black ice on rocks in the mountains is known as verglas (glaze ice), and is a great hazard for climbers and scramblers. Cold weather is common at high altitudes, and black ice quickly forms on rock surfaces. Loss of traction is as sudden and unexpected as on a pavement or road, but can be fatal if the rock is in an exposed position with a drop below. The ice-axe and crampons are of little use in such circumstances, a belay rope being the only protection which can prevent a fall.
Read more about this topic: Black Ice
Famous quotes containing the word mountains:
“Nelse McLeod: Faith can move mountains Milt, but it can’t beat a faster draw. There’s only three men I know with his kind of speed—one’s dead, the other’s me, and the third is Cole Thornton.
Cole Thornton: There’s a fourth.
McLeod: Which one are you?
Thornton: I’m Thornton.”
—Leigh Brackett (1915–1978)
“I’m headed for a land that’s far away
Beside the crystal fountains.
So come with me, we’ll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains.”
—Unknown. The Big Rock Candy Mountains (l. 5–8)