Winter Ice Climbing

Technical Difficulty:

Mountain Skill Rating:

Physical Condition:

Client/Guide Ratio: 6:1

Includes:
All guides auxiliary and safety gear, group climbing equipment, extra ice tool demos.

Operating under Special Use Permit, Inyo National Forest.

Winter Ice Climbing: Level 1-3 2 Day

Ironically, the most spectacular ice in California is also the most accessible. In winter, the waterfalls near June Lake and the leaking aqueduct in Lee Vining Canyon freeze solidly into the crystal-blue medium of the "slippery game".

With the help of ASI and IFMGA Guide, Doug Nidever, a long time resident of the June Lake area, we have redesigned our winter ice climbing program progression to accommodate all levels of today's modern ice specialists. It's the best ice in California and well worth the weekend trip!

Level 1
This is the best course for beginning ice climbers who are ready for 2-tool climbing with front point technique on steep ice. One day is usually spent at June Lake and the second in Lee Vining Canyon.

These are thorough, comprehensive courses with lots of time on the ice. Very Good physical condition is required.

Skills covered will include:

Appropriate clothing, equipment and accesories
Approach snow climbing skills with ice axe
Avalanche and hazards assessment
Harness, helmet and climbing gear sizes and adjustments
Low angle ice climbing technique
High angle ice climbing, 2 tool, front point technique
Belaying and lowering on ice

No previous climbing experience is necessary.

Cost: $495

Dates:

Call for dates

Level 2
Climbing more sustained, steeper ice, placement and removal of ice protection while resting effectively, anchor building and evaluation as well as multi-pitch climbing.

Skills covered will include:

Tool placement and step variations
Steep ice rests
Placing ice screws from various stances
Rappelling on steep ice
V-thread rappel anchors
Multi-pitch belay change-overs from small stances

Prerequisites
Previous ice climbing experience, preferrably up to WI3+, familiar with belay and rappel skills. Very Good to Excellent physical condition.

Cost: $495

Dates:

Call for dates

Level 3
Two days of mixed, thin ice and rock climbing, steeper multi-pitch climbing, techniques for climbing rock with tools and crampons, ice and rock protection and climbing with leash tools.

Skills covered will include: