Multipitch Ice Climbing Course

Description

Multipitch ice climbing: Learn how to stay safe on bigger terrain

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Overview:

Our upper level Multipitch Ice Climbing Course introduces participants to the safety systems and decision-making needed to venture out on bigger, more committing ice climbing terrain.  This course involves participants in the preparation process before the course, dedicated ground work dialing in systems, as well as plenty of climbing and descending multipitch ice. We highly recommend taking our introductory and intermediate ice climbing courses prior to enrolling in this advanced course, as the climbing is considerably more demanding and requires a solid foundation of safety systems and base of climbing fitness.

Dates:

Our Multipitch Ice Climbing Courses are available 15 November – 1 April upon request.  Please use our email contact form below or give us a call to arrange dates for your course.

NOTE: All of our ice climbing courses are privately arranged for individual parties – we do not mix groups of strangers for our courses unless specifically requested to do so.  Our lower cost ice climbing clinics are larger group events scheduled for specific dates that are open to anyone who signs up for the clinic.

Recommended course locations:

We are fortunate to have access to several incredible ice climbing venues for our Steep Ice Climbing Course.  When selecting a location for this course, it is important to consider not just the quality of ice climbing but also ease of access, good distribution of moderate grades, lack of crowds, minimal objective hazards, and stunning natural beauty.  Each of the following venues is an excellent ice climbing classroom – which location we end up choosing will depend on your specific objectives, climbing experience, party size, and preferences regarding the kind of ice climbing you want to experience.  You can learn more about the these and other areas we guide at our Ice Climbing Areas page.

Lessons:

Our Multipitch Ice Climbing courses include personalized instruction on the following topics and techniques:

• Trip planning and route selection
• Ice and mixed climbing safety, belay, and anchor systems
• Descent systems
• Ice climbing movement and techniques
• Minimal-impact ice climbing strategies to safeguard resources and heritage
• Leave No Trace and “Beyond Leave No Trace” practices
• Lessons the area’s geology, ecology, archaeology, and history

Please inquire via email for a sample course guide and lesson plan.

Course guides:

Our talented team of ice climbing guides includes some of the most talented ice climbers in the region who are at the forefront of ice climbing development in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  More importantly our guides are skilled teachers who are patient, kind, and helpful to people from all walks of life as they learn new skills.  Their top priority is making you feel safe and supported as you take on a new challenge.  Feel free to request a particular guide for your course as well.

Sample 2 day itinerary:

Day 1:

• 7am: Drive to ice climbing area
• 8am: Start approach hike to the crag
• 8:30am: Gear up for multipitch ice climbing
• 9am: Route planning and hazard evaluation lesson 1
• 9:30am: Systems lesson 1
• 10am – 12pm: Multipitch ice climbing
• 12-12:30pm: Lunch break
• 12:30pm: Systems lesson 2
• 1-3:30pm: Multipitch ice climbing
• 3:30pm: Hike out
• 4pm: Debrief

Day 2:

• 7am: Drive to ice climbing area
• 8am: Start approach hike to the crag
• 8:30am: Gear up for mixed climbing as guides set up climbs
• 9am: Route selection and hazard evaluation lesson 2
• 9:30am: Means of egress lesson
• 10am – 12pm: Multipitch ice climbing
• 12-12:30pm: Lunch break
• 12:30pm: Self-rescue lesson
• 1-3:30pm: Multipitch descent scenario
• 3:30pm: Hike out
• 4pm: Debrief

Rates:

Size of Party	1	2
1 Day	$440	$715
2 Days	$770	$1155

Climber to Guide Ratio:

2:1, maximum 2 per course

 

Contact Us:

Have questions about our Multipitch Ice Climbing Course?  Please contact us via the form below: