Cheapest Ice Climbing Setup?

I’m curious… I always want to learn to ice climb each winter.

In you climb in the northeast, the consignment basement at IME is the best bang for your buck. If you’re just getting into ice, I fully advocate buying used, old gear. If you cut your teeth on straight shafted tools and the older screws that don’t have a crank, then ice will feel easy if you decide to upgrade!

IMHO-Spending just a few more dollars to get ice tools less than 20 years old would be a good investment. You’ll have more fun and advance quicker. Decent pair of crampons that can go dual or mono will allow you to progress in your technique. Hold off on buying screws til your leading. Used screws like BD turbos are getting very affordable and you won’t be trying to sell them after one season. Vintage gear may prevent you from wanting to continue. 

Buying straight shaft tools and old screws sounds like a horrible idea. I would spring for some boots that fit well and everything else you can borrow. New boots are $500+, used can be found for much less. If you really want to buy old tools I have some Charlet Moser Axars (bent shaft, but leashed) available. I also have some modern Carbon Tech Machines for sale. But tools should be the last thing you buy as they're so easy to just share or swap with a buddy until you know you want to invest in ice climbing. 

Ryan Pfleger wrote:

Buying straight shaft tools and old screws sounds like a horrible idea. I would spring for some boots that fit well and everything else you can borrow. New boots are $500+, used can be found for much less. If you really want to buy old tools I have some Charlet Moser Axars (bent shaft, but leashed) available. I also have some modern Carbon Tech Machines for sale. But tools should be the last thing you buy as they're so easy to just share or swap with a buddy until you know you want to invest in ice climbing. 

Boom, that bolded bit. 

Tools - You'll want to try as many tools as you can before you buy anything; there really are significant differences in the grip/swing/feel that a novice will notice.  And "buy nice or buy twice", so don't bother picking up a pair of 20+ year old tools for $100/pair.  Crampons - IMO these make the least difference. Try different styles but make sure they fit the boots. New, old, mono, dual... you'll be fine for the first few years in whatever you get. Save your money for gloves and a dry rope. No screws for now; you're not leading, and even once you are you should be on your mentors' hardware initially.