Crampons are spikes that are strapped on to the bottom of mountaineering boots for traction on snow and ice. They have 10-16 points protruding downwards about an inch in length. All crampons rely on the rigidity of the boot to maintain their stiffness. Crampons have front points which are kicked into steep ice or snow.
Strap on Crampons use a combination of toe and heel caps to secure the crampon on the boot. These crampons are great for basic mountaineering and fit on about any boot. A great crampon for using with your hiking boots for that short section of firm snow.

Train for Mountaineering
1. Schopping the back pack and (hopefully) the boots you will be climbing in. The boots are a challenge because many people rent them for their first climbs.
2. Find a hill or small mountain near your home.
3. Make a plan. Plan a program that growing gradually in length and intensity.
4. Adjust your program. Add or reduce weight for your body type and add more time to your hikes if you have it. Mountain climbing days sometimes last up to 18 hrs. of activity.
Tips:
The weight in your pack should be in water bottles. They don't tear your pack like rocks and you can dump out the water at the top of your climb to save your knees on the descent.
Use trekking poles. They are great for reducing strain go up steep steps and down long descents. Keep your pace steady and slow. Starting and stopping is counter productive. Listening to music helps some people stay in a rythm.
Be realistic, you're training for a climb not trying to damage yourself. Stretch before and after and stay hydrated!
Rest for mininum 2 days prior to your climb

Start of Yosemite climbing

Yosemite climbing began in the 1930's. The ascent of Half Dome took place much earlier, but that's a whole separate story. David Brower and others made a few ascents using hemp ropes and soft iron pitons. After World War II a number of pioneer climbers made historic ascents in the late forties and early fifties. Names you should remember are Salathe and Allen Steck. They climbed the Sentinel in 1950. The "Golden Age" of Yosemite climbing occurred from about 1958 to 1972. Most of the major formations and walls were climbed during this period. Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Yvon Chouinard, Steve Roper, Galen Rowell and Tom Frost are names you should remember. They used perlon ropes and steel pitons to push back the edge of the impossible. They spent days and sometimes weeks on the sides of cliffs.

Learning to climb from a professional is the safest way to start climbing. The potential ways to have a mis-adventure or get injured climbing number in the thousands. A certified guide has under gone numerous trainings and has 1000's of hours of climbing experience. Guides are a great resource for those who choose to tackle climbs that are above their level of leading. Guides are hired for climbing El Capitan in Yosemite, Mt. McKinley in Alaska and other challenging climbs the world over.

Hiring a guide
Mountain guides are professional rock climbers, alpinist and skiers who teach and lead their clientele in the mountains. The first role of a guide is to instruct their clientele in climbing. The second is to provide an enjoyable climbing experience that is free of common errors that happen to beginning climbers. Guides provide high quality, safe journeys through challenging terrain, whether it is mountaineering, rock climbing or skiing.

The entry level activities in climbing are top roping and bouldering. Top roping is great for the ground that the climber is safe from risk of falling. This allows the climber to work on movement techniques while learning to trust the rope.
Find friends who know how to climb or are willing to learn with you. This is an important step because humans are sociable creatures. Climbing will be much more enjoyable if you can laugh and joke around with some friends.
Once you have been trained in how to top rope, shopping a rope and the equipment and start climbing on the anchors that you build.
Bouldering is another step for learning technique, building strength and getting out there without a partner.

Outdoor Rock Climbing can be a very rewarding activity. Just as physically challenging as gym climbing, it is substantially more complex and ultimately more engaging. Outdoor rock climbing is divided into numerous categories including bouldering, sport climbing and big wall climbing.
The best way to start climbing outdoors with ropes is to take a class. You can ask about guide services and places to climb at an outdoor equipment store. They will have bookletes for guide services and information on where to find the nearest and the best climbing areas. Rock climbing classes are generally held at smaller sized climber that can be easily top roped. If you decide that you enjoy climbing, keep taking classes and practicing at your local rock.