Winter Ice Climbing
A Winter Ice Climbing Course is a specialized training program designed to teach individuals the skills and techniques required to safely and effectively climb ice formations in cold, winter conditions. Ice climbing is a challenging and thrilling activity that involves ascending frozen waterfalls, ice-covered rock faces, or glaciers using specialized equipment and techniques. This course is typically intended for individuals with some prior climbing experience, as it builds upon basic rock climbing skills.
The curriculum for a Winter Ice Climbing Course may vary depending on the course provider and the level of the participants, but it generally includes the following topics:
- Ice Climbing Equipment: Introduction to specialized ice climbing gear, such as ice axes, crampons, ice screws, harnesses, helmets, and clothing suitable for cold conditions.
- Ice Climbing Safety: Emphasis on safety procedures specific to ice climbing, including assessing ice conditions, understanding hazards like icefall, and minimizing risks.
- Ice Climbing Techniques: Learning specific ice climbing movements and techniques, such as hooking, front-pointing, and matching hands.
- Belaying for Ice Climbing: Mastering techniques for belaying a climber on ice, including techniques for lead belaying and top-rope belaying.
- Anchoring and Ice Screws: Understanding how to place and use ice screws and other types of anchors in ice to protect the climb.
- Ice Climbing Knots: Learning knots specific to ice climbing, such as the figure-eight follow-through and the clove hitch.
- Climbing Icefalls and Frozen Waterfalls: Techniques for ascending ice formations and handling different types of ice features.
- Managing Climbing Hazards: Strategies for dealing with objective hazards like falling ice and avalanches.
- Climbing Communication: Communication techniques used between the climber and the belayer on ice.
- Ice Climbing Ethics and Leave No Trace: Promoting responsible climbing practices and minimizing environmental impact.
The training is designed for people with little or no experience in technical waterfall ice climbing. This course is an excellent option for people who aspire to improve their technical climbing skills for steeper snow or ice route with multi peaks above 6000m.
you will learn the basics of ice climbing, crampons, ice tools, ice screws, belaying, knots, and top-rope climbing techniques - all the basics required to be a competent top-roping partner for more experienced climbers
Location: manang, Nepal, Season: December – March
QUALIFICATIONS: Students should know basic climbing skills such as belaying, rappelling, and tie-in knots or must have participated in Basic or Advance Mountaineering Courses conducted by Nepal Mountaineering Instructors Association- NMIA or Nepal Mountaineering Association- NMA or equivalent.
The ice climbing course intensive program provides thorough instruction in all the skills required on difficult alpine ice climbs. Through this program, you will develop complete ice climbing skills and learn to apply them efficiently in all conditions.
The training is designed for people with little or no experience in technical waterfall ice climbing. This course is an excellent option for people who aspire to improve their technical climbing skills for steeper snow or ice route with multi peaks above 6000m.