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    Intermediate Ice Climbing

    Intermediate Ice Climbing

    $555 per person

    A two-day intermediate course geared towards those with previous ice climbing experience who are ready to further progress their skills and technique on steeper ice.


    A two-day intermediate course geared towards those with previous ice climbing experience who are ready to further progress their skills and technique on steeper ice.  This second level course picks up where our Intro to Ice Climbing course left off and covers 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 4:1 guiding ratio. We are happy to arrange this course or similar on a custom private basis.

    photo: Ken Etzel photo: Ken Etzel

    This is a fun weekend with lots of opportunity for climbing and technical skills practice.

    This two day intermediate course is geared toward those who have taken our Intro to Ice Climbing course, or have previous ice climbing experience.  We’ll review the basics that were learned in the Intro to Ice Climbing course and then focus on improving ice climbing movement to develop techniques used for climbing steeper, more difficult ice. This class will also provide an introduction to ice anchors and protection.  This is a fun weekend with lots of opportunity for climbing and technical skills practice.

    Winter 2024 Course Dates:

    • Jan 20 & 21
    • Jan 25 & 26
    • Feb 9 & 10
    • Mar 3 & 4

     

    Topics Covered:

    • Review of Intro to Ice Climbing skills
    • Further development of ice climbing movement
    • Steeper ice climbing
    • Ice protection
    • Anchor building and evaluation
    2 Days
    Alpine
    Alpine Mountaineering Skills Courses
    Eastern Sierra Winter
    Ice
    Ice Climbing Destinations
    Ice Climbing Skills Courses
    • Included
      Eastern Sierra Winter
      Horsetail Falls
      ice climbing
      ice climbing course
      lee vining
      lee vining canyon
      mountaineering
    • Not Included
      14ers
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      3rd Pillar Dana
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    TRIP ITINERARY: Intermediate Ice Climbing 
    DAY 1
    photo: Ken Etzel

    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.  Learn ice analysis and introduce 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 multi-pitch ice climbing Apply skills from Day 1 to continued practice on climbs of increasing difficulty. Discuss icefall hazard management and belay stance management. Construction and use of V-thread anchors, threads, and ice bollards. Introduction and coaching for learning to place protection for leading ice.
     * Please be prepared for Plan B:  Sierra Mountain weather does not care that you have scheduled an ice climbing weekend. It is always good to have a "plan B" when making deals with mountains. We highly recommend trip insurance that covers the possibility of road closures from Sierra storms affecting access to ice climbing. We do not cancel courses for inclement weather or other conditions that may limit or prevent ice climbing. Such conditions are extremely rare in our experience, but mountain weather and conditions can vary with little warning from way too warm to way too stormy in a matter of hours or days. Although we wish it was otherwise, we cannot control nature. Trip insurance may or may not cover circumstances where roads are still open but the risks of accessing ice climbing are still too great. Check this with any potential insurance provider. As for all of our guided mountain programs, we do not guarantee any itinerary exactly as suggested and we will not generally be able to cancel, reschedule, or refund your course fees beyond the terms of our deposit and cancellation policy. Without trip insurance, Plan B is that you will be entitled to these scheduled dates with our top-notch guides, who can offer you an alternative plan that may include: rock climbing (with climbing shoes and all other gear provided), "dry-tooling" skills training on rock with ice gear, other technical climbing skills training, technical rescue training, avalanche awareness training, or other guided mountain activities that may be of interest to the group as conditions allow. If major winter storms prevent ice climbing, and you are willing to add the costs of rentals, we may be able to arrange backcountry skiing or snowboarding with a guide, as the conditions could be excellent. Thank you for your understanding about these uncertainties, and welcome to the wonderful world of alpinism. This might just be the most important and useful lesson of your climbing course! 

    Here are some frequently asked questions:

    Do I need to have my own ice climbing gear?

    No. The complete rental kit - boots, crampons, ice tools, helmets, and harnesses - is included in the price of this course. Let us know your boot size in advance so we can reserve your size. Feel free to bring your own if you already have them.

    What if there is a lot of snow? Do we need snowshoes or skis?

    If we need to use snowshoes for the approach the guide will let you know. Feel free to bring your own if you have them. Otherwise, we will provide them for you at no additional charge on this program.

    Where do we meet, and where should I stay for this course?

    The meeting place does vary and you will need transportation to get around a bit. The office will send you the information when you reserve the course, and your guide will assess conditions and contact you a few days before the course start date to confirm the location. Generally we like to meet either close to June Lake or Lee Vining depending on the venue chosen for the day. There, we can get you set up with the gear you need and we can head up to Horsetail Falls or Lee Vining Canyon to minimize the driving for Day 1. Sometimes when conditions dictate, the guides prefer to meet in June Lake and then drive to Lee Vining, or just meet people in Lee Vining, then we carpool up to Lee Vining Canyon. So the two best places to base from are either the town of June Lake or the town of Lee Vining. June Lake and Lee Vining are around 20 miles away from each other, each with their own climbing location nearby, so there is a bit of driving at some point wherever you stay. Be prepared for winter mountain driving conditions and let us know in advance if you have any issues with that logistic . Ask for lodging discounts in both locations for being an ice climber with Sierra Mountain Guides. Lee Vining probably has slightly more economical options, but June Lake has a wider range of accommodations and better food options. Treat yourself at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa while you are in town for food and/or relaxation!

    What are the benefits of hiring a guide to take me ice climbing?

    Given the complexities of ice climbing, a guide can manage the risk, maximize the fun, access the best climbs, hang the ropes, accelerate the learning curve, let you try modern ice gear before you buy, be able to read the quality/stability of the ice, navigate the crowds at busy times, and so much more!