Ice Climbing 201
A two-day advanced course geared towards those with previous ice climbing experience who are ready to take the next “mono point” step.
A two-day advanced course geared towards those with previous ice climbing experience who are ready to take the next “mono point” step. This second level course picks up where our Ice Climbing 101 course left off and covers the advanced waterfall ice climbing skills and techniques.
This course requires a minimum of 2 to run at the dates and prices listed and has a maximum 3:1 guiding ratio. We are happy to arrange this course or similar on a custom private basis.
photo: Ken Etzel
This is a fun weekend with lots of opportunity for climbing and technical skills practice.
This two day advanced course is geared toward those who have taken our Ice Climbing 101 course, or have previous ice climbing experience. We’ll explore techniques used for climbing steeper, more difficult ice and the systems used for multi-pitch ice climbing. This class places an emphasis on the natural and artificial methods of ice protection, as well as the construction and evaluation of ice anchors. This is a fun weekend with lots of opportunity for climbing and technical skills practice.
Winter 2023 Dates:
January 21 – 22
February 4-5
February 25-26
March 1-2
April 1-2 (1 spot left!!)
Topics Covered:
- Steeper ice climbing
- Technical rope skills for ice climbing
- Multi-pitch climbing
- Ice protection
- Anchor building and evaluation
- Leading on ice
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Included
Eastern Sierra WinterHorsetail Fallsice climbingice climbing courselee vininglee vining canyonmountaineering -
Not Included
14ers3D chute3rd pillar3rd Pillar DanaAIAREAIARE 1AIARE 2AlaskaAlaska skiingalpinealpine climbingalpine rock climbingAlpsAlps climbingAlps runningAlps skiingAlps trilogyAmerican Mountain Guides AssociationAMGAavalanche awarenessavalanche coursebackcountrybackcountry 101backcountry skiBackcountry Skiingbackcountry snowboardbackpackingBear Creek SpireBerner OberlandBernese OberlandBishopBishop SkylineBlacksmith PeakBloody MountainBreakthroughBridgeportCaliforniaCalifornia fourteenerscampingCardinal PinnacleCarson PeakCelestial AretesChamonixChamonix climbingCharlotte Domechefclassic rock climbclassic Sierra rockclimbclimbingclimbing campclimbing skillsclimbing Swiss AlpsClyde MinaretConvict Creekcookcoursescourses instructioncramponCrest tourCrystal Cragcustomcustom private skiDana PlateaudestinationsDevil's SlideDolomitesDolomites climbingDouble Eagle ResortDream BowlEast ButtressEast FaceEastern Sierra climbingEastern Sierra skiingEigerEvolution LoopexamfastpackingFishhook AreteFour SeasonsFranceGlass CreekGrindelwaldguide courseHaute Routeheli assistedheli skiingHemlock RidgeHigh SierraHigh Sierra skiinghigh tourhikingHorse CreekhorsesHut to Hutice 101ice axeIncredible Hulkinstructionintermediate levelinternationalintroductoryintroductory ice climbing courseItalyJohn Muir TrailJohn Muir WildernessJune LakeJune MountainJungfrauKautz Glacierkidskids climbing programsLas VegasLee Vining arealevel 1level 1 refresherlevel 2light and fastlightweightLone PineLone Pine PeakLovers LeapMammoth LakesMammoth Lakes to YosemiteMammoth MountainMammoth to JuneMammoth to YosemiteMatterhornMatterhorn PeakMcGee CreekMerriam Peakmixed climbingMonchMont BlancMont Blanc runMount ConnessMount DanaMount EmersonMount GabbMount HumphreysMount MillsMount Rainiermountain runningMountaineers RouteMt ConnessMt. DanaMt. EmersonMt. HumphreysMt. RussellMt. SillMt. TomMt. WhitneyMt. WinchellmulesmultidaynegativesNevadaNorth PalisadeNorth Peaknorth ridgeonion valley to mt. whitneyOrtlerOwens River Gorgepack outfitpack supportpackerspalisadesPalisades Glacier Camppeak descentsPeter CroftPine CreekPolemonium PeakportersPositive Vibrationsprivateprivate customprofessional developmentRed and White MountainRed Dihedralred rockRed Slate Mountainrescue skillsRitter Rangerockrock 201rock climbingRock CreekRock Creek to MammothSabre RidgeSan Joaquin RidgeSawtoothsself arrestself belayself rescueSequoia National ParksherpasSierraSierra 5.10sierra alpineSierra Mountain GuidesSierra NevadaSierra skiingsingle pitch instructorskiski guidingski mountaineeringski tourski touringskiingsnowsnow skillssnowboardSPIsplitboardsportsport climbingStarlight PeaksupportedSwitzerlandTahoeTemple Cragthird pillarThompson PassThunderbolt PeakTiogatrad climbingtrail runningtraverseTuolumneTwin LakesUltra Trail Mont BlancultralightValdezVia Ferratawhite linewilderness tripwinterYosemiteyosemite national parkYosemite skiYost MeadowZermattZermatt Valley
TRIP ITINERARY: Ice Climbing 201* | |
DAY 1
![]() photo: Ken Etzel |
Start with a skills assessment and review of ice climbing technique and efficiency. Target weaknesses and work on skills for climbing steep and sustained ice up to WI4-5. Advanced movement efficiency technique and thin ice technique. Introduction to mixed climbing. Learn ice analysis and review ice screw placement, removal, and racking while climbing steep terrain. Learn to construct solid ice anchors for setting up topropes and multipitch climbs. |
DAY 2
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Apply skills from Day 1 on a multi-pitch climb. Discuss commonly used rope systems, rope handling, and multi-pitch belay techniques. Icefall hazard management and belay stance management. Descending multi-pitch ice climbs by rappel. Construction and use of V-thread anchors, threads, and ice bollards. Instruction and coaching for learning to lead ice and finish with mock leading practice. |