Front pointing

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Front pointing is a fundamental technique in mountaineering and ice climbing. It is accomplished through the use of crampons with two front-slanting points or spikes, which allow traction to be concentrated at the toe of the climber's boots.

Due to the added stress and tiring effect on the legs, climbers who regularly use this technique will wear rigid crampons, or stiff mountaineering boots, versus the hinged variety used for more general mountaineering on steep snow slopes or glaciers.