WINTER CLIMBING 101
Basic Ice Climbing & Mountaineering Skills
Join us on this course for some great climbing on both snow and ice, and you’ll come away with a full understanding of the fundamentals of winter climbing. It all starts here for people headed toward the winter pursuits of ice climbing or winter mountaineering. In this full-day course, we will outfit you with all the gear required to move on steep snow and moderate-angled ice.
Boots, crampons, and ice axes will become your primary tools, as well as ropes and related equipment that allow us to climb more safely. Efficient movement with crampons and ice axes forms the backbone of security for the mountaineer. We will practice self-arrest techniques and, as we move onto steeper terrain, the ropes and climbing harnesses come out so that we can move with confidence as the angle increases. If you are headed toward more serious winter mountaineering objectives, or perhaps drawn to the frozen waterfalls of the Northeast – this course will give you the knowledge and experience to tackle those goals.
From here, a logical step is our Ice Climbing 201 or Mountaineering 201 course.
Skill Level:
Beginner
Length: 8 hours
Prerequisites: No previous climbing experience required
Meeting Locations
Connecticut
West Hartford Eastern Mountain Sports 
New Hampshire
North Conway Eastern Mountain Sports
New York
Lake Placid Eastern Mountain Sports
New Paltz (Gunks) Eastern Mountain Sports
Gear List
Being properly dressed is essential to enjoying your outdoor adventures. Cotton has no place in your winter layering system: it keeps you cold if you sweat and it takes a long time to dry out. Synthetic fabrics or wool keep you warmer when they become wet with sweat and certain synthetic base layers are designed to wick the sweat away from your skin to keep you drier and warmer. In order to make your experience more enjoyable, please do not wear any cotton as layering pieces. Also, remember, you have to carry all your clothing with you, so packing efficiently is important. If you can’t wear it all at once, you don’t need to bring it. If you have questions about how many or which items to bring, please call 800-310-4504.
click here for required gear list
Private Classes
Looking to master a specific skill or accomplish a particular goal or maybe you just want the instructor to yourself, or on a day of your own choosing. Regardless of the reason or the size of your party, just give us a call at 800-310-4504 to set up a private day tailored to your needs and schedule. Private courses offered 7 days a week. This is a very common choice for many of our clients and a great value for your time and money spent.
Itinerary
Groups meet promptly at EMS 8:30am (9am in West Hartford). In the morning you will meet your guide, sign a waiver form, and get fitted with climbing gear for the day. Once everyone is outfitted groups will leave straight for the trail head. The whole day will be spent outside so please dress according to the gear list and bring enough food and water for the entire day. Plan to be back at EMS approximately 4:30pm.
Included/ Not Included
Includes: Students will be outfitted with all technical equipment for this course. You are welcome to bring your own equipment but it will be subject to approval by your guide. Equipment provided includes plastic double boots, crampons, ice axes, harness, helmet, climbing hardware
Not Included: Students will be expected to arrive dressed appropriately for the weather. See gear list for required gear and clothing. Students will be responsible for lodging, meals, transportation, and personal gear and clothing.
Policies
Payment is due in full at time of reservation to secure your reservation. Events run rain or shine. Eastern Mountain Sports Schools reserves the right to cancel or reschedule events for low participation, weather or safety concerns at any time. We will try to give as much advance notice as possible, but may not always be able to give much advance warning, especially for weather cancellations.
1) Cancellations or schedule changes 8 DAYS OR MORE PRIOR to the event start date will be fully refunded or credited with no penalty.
2) Reservation changes of any kind WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE EVENT START DATE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED and you WILL NOT be permitted to carry over deposits to future events. Please mark this date on your calender after making your reservation!
**EMS Climbing School does not provide any transportation unless otherwise specified.
**For participants 17 or younger, a parent MUST sign a waiver form for EACH days course.
If you have any questions please call 800-310-4504. We will be more than happy to review our cancellation policy with you.
