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▫ Ice essentials
Advanced Ice
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GUIDED ADVENTURES
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CUSTOM PROGRAMS
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Join us on an exciting Waterfall Ice Climbing course this winter! With our best ACMG Certified Ice Climbing Instructors you will learn modern technical ice climbing skills including techniques for vertical ice and mixed climbing terrain, use of ice tools and crampons including modern leashless techniques, rope management, ice anchors and belay techniques. Our small class size (4 maximum) with ACMG certified Guides allows you to progress at a rapid pace. Waterfall Ice climbing is a great sport on it's own or as preparation for alpine climbing objectives.
Details for Ice Climbing Essentials
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Dates (2008 season):
January 12-13
January 26-27
February 2-3
February 23-24
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Cost
$355. + gst
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Includes all technical climbing equipment except boots and crampons.
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Prerequisites
Must be experienced with rope management skills and have previous outdoor rock climbing experience. This includes practical experience belaying, tying knots and previous experience climbing. While this course is designed for people who have never climbed waterfall ice, they should be comfortable with the essential basics of top-rope climbing before coming out.
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Location
We choose the location based on current conditions to ensure the best possible course. These will vary from one date to the next, though courses are usually run near Lillooet, Pemberton or Whistler, BC.
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Guides and Instructors
All the Guides and Instructors on our Ice Climbing programs are Certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are among many of the top Ice Climbing guides in British Columbia. We ensure that you are being taught and guided by the best! For more details on the specific guides for your program, contact our office.
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Objectives
The following topics will be covered through discussion, review and - most importantly - practical "hands-on" experience!
- Recognition of hazards specific to ice climbing
- Ice climbing top-rope systems
- Review of basic rope management techniques (belaying
methods, knots, rope coiling, tying-in and double-checking)
- Movement on ice with crampons and ice tools
- Climbing techniques for steep and vertical ice
- Ongoing technique coaching and skill development matched to
your individual level
- Ice anchor construction (ice screws and Abalakov "V-thread")
- Climbing signals and communication
- Proper equipment use, selection and care
- Recognition of basic anchor principles
- Ice climbing rating systems
- HAVING FUN!!
Keeping the course as enjoyable (and safe!) as possible is our primary goal. Some of these objectives may not receive the same amount of attention as others as time constraints, group abilities, individual desires, weather and many other
factors all influence the actual content - but we will ensure that your experience ice climbing is a great one!
At the end of your course, you will be encouraged to discuss with your instructor the content that has been covered, and to have the instructor assess your climbing and rope management skills - we would prefer that you know your abilities now, rather than find out the hard way, later!
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Equipment list for Ice Climbing Essentials course
To download a printer friendly .PDF file of the equipment list, click here. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
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The following personal equipment is required:
- Boots - plastic mountaineering boots - Scarpa, Koflach, etc
- Crampons adjusted to fit your boots.
- Day-pack (30-40 liters capacity, big enough to hold all gear for the day)
- Hard shell outer layer jacket with hood - Gore-Tex style (1)
- Full-zip pants or bibs - Gore-Tex style (1 pair)
- Long underwear - top & bottom, Polypro, Capilene, etc. (2 pr)
- Climbing pants - fleece, pile, Schoeller, etc. (1 pr)
- Gaiters (1 pr)
- Gloves (medium weight) - wool or poly-pro (2 pr)
- Expedition style gloves or mitts w/removable liners (1 pr)
- Over-mitts or over-gloves (1 pr)
- Warm parka - down, fleece or pile (1)
- Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down (1)
- Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece (1)
- Sunglasses with side shields and nose shield (1pr)
- Ski goggles (optional)
- Headlamp with extra set of batteries and extra bulb
- Personal 1st aid (blister kit, medications, etc.)
- Misc. personal items (camera, journal, etc.)
- Water bottles w/insulation - minimum 1 litres
- Small "thermos" for hot drinks
- Knife - Swiss army style
- Technical climbing tools
- Climbing harness - seat harness only
- Helmet
- 3 locking carabiners
- 1 belay device
Technical equipment
(supplied by CWMS if required):
Please go over this list before the course to ensure that you are properly prepared. Contact our office if you have any questions, and we can suggest places for you to purchase or rent. Keep in mind that you will be spending all of your time outdoors in the snow in very cold conditions (-10 to -20), and that the weather can vary from one extreme to the other. Ice climbing can be very wet as well, so be prepared with extra clothes. It is recommended that you also have a set of spare street clothes for the end of the course after you have left the mountains.
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Logistics and transportation
This course is usually conducted in the Lillooet region, approx. 4 hours drive from Vancouver, BC. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course area, as well as food and accommodation. We strongly recommend that participants stay in a local hotel and do not camp out, as a day of Ice Climbing can leave a person chilled and often damp.
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Related Programs
Adavanced Ice Climbing
Intro to Winter Mountaineering
Avalanche Safety Courses
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