INTERMEDIATE ICE CLIMBING CLASS OVERVIEW

Looking to take your ice climbing to a new level or just want something a bit more challenging than our intro trip? This ice course is for those who have taken an intro ice course or have previous ice climbing experience and would like to experience steeper ice climbing. It’s also great for those who have taken our intro to ice climbing course and just want to get in more mileage on the ice before leading and multi-pitch ice climbing.

After a quick review of basic ice climbing techniques, you will learn advanced ice climbing techniques with training in advanced movement on steeper ice and an introduction to ice protection and ice anchoring. For those who have caught the ice climbing bug, there is no better way to hone your ice skills!

This class includes ice climbing training in:

  • Climbing steep ice

  • Placing ice screws and building ice climbing anchors

  • More mileage on the ice

It’s a great follow-up to our intro to ice climbing course. Let our expert guides take your ice climbing further. This is a front country based course with no camping, but there are local lodging options available. Ask us about our lodging packages!

 
 
 

INTERMEDIATE ICE CLIMBING SKILL & EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Some previous ice climbing experience is required and you should be in very good physical to excellent physical shape.

Recommended prior trips or courses:

2024/2025 DATES:

December 28-29
January 11-12
February 8-9
February 25-26 (midweek)
March 15-16

We also offer custom dates!

COST: $495

INCLUDES

  • Free us of all technical gear such as ice tools, crampons, harness & helmet

  • Private AMGA trained mountain guide

  • Winter boot rentals available at $10 per day

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

INTERMEDIATE ICE CLIMBING ITINERARY

Day 1
We meet in the town of June Lake in the Eastern Sierra at 7:30 am. We then drive to a nearby trailhead and hike an hour into the ice at Lee Vining Canyon (this can be strenuous). Depending on conditions, we may go into the June Lake Loop instead. The day is spent reviewing basic ice climbing techniques; then we get in some top rope laps on steeper water ice, 3-4 ice climbs, working on steep ice techniques. We will arrive back at the cars usually around 4:30 - 5 pm. Lodging is on your own tonight, but we can recommend hotels in the June Lake area.

Day 2
Getting an early start, we will normally go into Lee Vining Canyon today. After getting in some laps on the ice, we spend some time introducing you to ice screws and building basic ice anchors. More laps on steep ice round off the day and we usually end the day back at the cars around 4:30 pm.