Intermediate Ice Climbing
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
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
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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: Intermediate Ice Climbing | |
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. 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
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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. |