New Hampshire Ice Climbing
Our New Hampshire operations are based in North Conway, NH. The town serves as the eastern basecamp for Mount Washington and the surrounding White Mountains.
During the winter many of our south-Atlantic guides relocate to NH for ice and alpine climbing, and skiing. This creates the opportunity for you to climb with familiar faces both in the north during the winter and during the warm months on rock in the south.
NH programs meet in town or at a visitors center closer to specific climbing areas.
Private Courses
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The Intro to Ice day is for anyone that wants to swing ice tools for the first time! No prior climbing experience is necessary. The focus of the day is getting you ice climbing while learning the basics of equipment and movement!
Full Day - You will learn the basics of ice climbing including equipment, crampon technique, swinging ice tools, and climbing movement. As time allots, you may learn to fit your own harness, tie into the climbing rope, and belay.Skills Taught:
- Crampon technique
- Swinging an ice tool
- Climbing movement
- Staying comfortable while winter climbing -
The one day Rock to Ice Course is for gym or outdoor rock climbers looking to have their first swings and kicks ice climbing. In this one day course, you will learn everything you need to be able to ice climb for the first time! The outlook of this course is to provide you with the skills and judgment necessary to climb with more experienced climbers or to prepare you for your next level ice course. Technical skills, climbing movement, risk management, and staying comfortable while winter climbing are key points throughout the course.
Skills Taught:
Climbing area hazards and management
- Gear essentials
- Crampon use and technique
- Swinging an ice tool
- Climbing movement on ice
- Review/intro to Figure 8 Tie in
- Review top rope belaying
- Belay stance positioning
- Ground anchors
- Winter climbing Leave No Trace principles
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The two day Intermediate Ice Course is for anyone with at least one day of prior ice climbing experience. This course focuses on getting you more time on the ice, furthering your climbing movement, proficiency with equipment, and technical skills. The outlook of this course is to provide you with the skills and judgment necessary to follow a multi-pitch ice route. Technical skills, climbing movement, and risk management are major focuses on this course.
Skills Taught:Day 1
- Advanced ice climbing movement
- Belaying ice climbs
- Rappelling iceDay 2
- Cleaning ice screws
- Moving as a team on multi-pitch routes
- Multi-pitch ice climbing
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The two day Ice Leading Course is for anyone with significant prior ice climbing experience and the desire to lead ice routes. This course focuses heavily on technical skills and mock leading with a top rope backup. The outlook of this course is to provide you with the skills and judgment necessary to lead ice routes on your own and prepare to learn to lead multi-pitch ice routes. Technical skills, judgment, and risk management are major focuses on this course.
Skills Taught:
Day 1
- Crampon fit analysis
- Racking for leading
- Ice screw placement
- Screw anchor construction
- Mock leadingDay 2
- Belaying from the top
- Mock leading
- V thread construction
- Rappelling from V threads
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Private Guiding
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Guided ice climbing is all about you and your climbing or learning objectives! Whether you are complete beginner, experienced outdoor climber, or anything in between, we can customize a climbing or educational experience for you, for your group, or as a gift. Trips can be single or multiple days and are offered at our VA location and in NH. Tell us about your goals for the ice guided day(s) and any prior experience on the last page of booking. Or, feel free to call or email to talk with us further.
