Ice Climbing Basics
New England winters create the perfect conditions for world-class ice climbs to form consistently each season in the idyllic White Mountains of New Hampshire. For those wishing to discover the thrill of this exhilarating and fast-growing sport, this introductory course features a great environment, furnishes all the necessary technical equipment, and boasts outstanding instruction from experienced guides in technical ice ax and crampon use, handling rope systems, understanding ice protection, selection of clothing and food considerations for ice climbing and much more.
Ice Climbing Basics Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Arrive at your leisure at the hotel in Plymouth this evening. Dinner tonight is on your own and there are many local restaurants near your hotel. Rest well tonight before our first day of climbing instruction tomorrow. All meals: on your own.
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Day 2
Enjoy a continental breakfast at the hotel and be ready to meet your guides in the lobby at 8:00 a.m. After a brief orientation, we caravan to the climbing area deemed best by our professional guides based on local conditions at the time. Once we’ve arrived, we’ll begin the approach to the climbing area. At the base of our first climbs, your guides will conduct an instructional session on site awareness, equipment use and fundamentals. Throughout the day, expect ongoing instruction on other important considerations for ice climbing, including proper clothing, technique, ideal foods and more. After we are through climbing, we’ll return to the hotel where you will be free to head out for dinner on your own, or we may choose to have dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Instruction and Climbing: 6 – 7 hours. Breakfast included. Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten as lunch and throughout the day as snacks – high carbohydrate foods, trail mix, energy bars, energy drinks, etc.
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Day 3
We’ll meet again in the hotel lobby after breakfast for checkout, then travel to the climbing area that our guides feel will offer the best opportunities based on our previous day’s climbing. Today expect further detailed instruction in technique along with plenty of time to practice and hone fundamental skills. We will be wrapping up our course around 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon to allow ample travel time home. If scheduling flights out, plan accordingly (for example, plan to fly out of Manchester at 7:00 p.m. at the earliest). Instruction and Climbing: 6 – 7 hours. Breakfast included. Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten constantly throughout the day as snacks – high carbohydrate foods, trail mix, energy bars, energy drinks, etc.
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. This trip is operated rain or shine. Hotel accommodation options are limited in Plymouth, and our hotel has been selected for cleanliness, comfort, convenience, and affordability.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm that the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a very limited number of single accommodations available.
All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary;professional instruction and guiding; all group climbing gear; group first-aid kit; technical equipment and permits.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages (please do not bring); 2 lunches; 1 dinner; guide gratuities, energy foods and energy drinks, and items of a personal nature.
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place. Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.
This trip is rated Moderate (3) as climbing is a full body workout and physically very demanding, however, any time you are very tired or simply want to rest you can opt instead to assist other climbers or to sit and relax for a period. You will never be forced to climb anything you don’t want to climb. While we are at the climbing areas that we’ll use on this course, you’ll have the opportunity to try numerous routes of varying difficulty. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.
Temperatures at the climbing areas can range from the teens to the mid-40s during the day. New Hampshire’s winter weather can vary greatly, as with any mountainous area, and very cold conditions are a necessity for quality ice climbing. Trip members should arrive prepared for all possibilities by following the gear recommendations below.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Ice Climbing Basics
Weather
Gear Checklist
- Group climbing gear (ropes, harnesses, helmets, hardware)
- Technical ice axes and crampons
- Double plastic climbing boots
- Permits
- Backpack - internal frame 3,000-5,000 cu. in.
- Parka (MANDATORY): Either down or synthetic fill, rated to 10° F. A parka in addition to the waterproof shell jacket and other required upper-body layers. It is worn over all other layers, primarily on rest breaks and occasionally while climbing
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket with attached hood (ponchos not acceptable)
- Waterproof, breathable shell pants with side zippers allowing for easy on/off over boots
- Midweight wool or fleece jacket/sweater
- Midweight, thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic or wool (no cotton)
- Wool or fleece pants
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Synthetic long-sleeve shirt
- Hiking socks and liner socks – 2 pairs of each
- Neck gaiter and face mask or balaclava or all 3
- Gaiters, mid-calf length minimum
- Waterproof shell gloves with liners
- Expedition mittens with liners
- Thin glove liners
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana for sun protection
- Sunglasses with dark lenses and side glare protection
- Spare cash for meals
- Energy snacks and energy drinks for each day
- Two 1-quart water bottles (no hydration packs as the tubes freeze easily)
- Two water bottle insulators (to prevent freezing)
- Sun block and lip balm w/high SPF
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Watch with alarm
- Personal first-aid kit
- Ski poles, preferably adjustable
- Camera and film, spare batteries
- Reading and writing materials
- Down or fleece vest
Things to Consider
- We will provide double plastic climbing boots. The rigid design of these specialized boots is a necessity for successful climbing on technical ice.
- We recommend thin liner socks under your regular, thicker hiking socks. The liner sock should be made of a non-absorbent wicking material, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
- COTTON KILLS! Once cotton clothing becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax. Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer garments should fit easily over your layers without binding or bunching up.
- To protect your face and neck while climbing, you will want to climb with a combination neck gaiter and face mask or with a balaclava. If you are very concerned about wind/cold, you may wish to bring all of these items.