Alpine & Mountaineering: 5. Snow Travel - Duck Foot | Climbing Tech Tips

The duck foot method is one of the most efficient ways to ascend a moderately angled snow slope. The French term for this technique is pied en canard or foot of duck. This is similar to the herringbone technique as a skier would use to ascend a short uphill section. The main advantage of the duck foot technique are quickly moving up the snow slopes while minimally exerting pressure on your calf muscles. The uninitiated alpinist may tackle this same hill using the front point technique and end up with cramping calves. If using crampons it's advisable to focus on French technique and engage all the bottom crampon points. Please see our climbing tech tip videos on cramponing for more information. A modification of the duck foot technique for steeper snow or ice is to have one foot in the duck foot position and the other foot in the front point position. This is sometimes known as the American technique or pied toisième for the ballerina step. Ultimately this is just one tool in the toolbox of snow and ice climbing. The challenge will be selecting the right foot position to match the angle and firmness of the snow.