Ice Climbing Course
OVERVIEW
DURATION
3 days
LOCATION
Fort William, West Highlands
PRICE
£549 per person
2024 DATES
8-10 March (2 places available)
Other dates can be arranged, please enquire
Enquire
Course details
The 3 day ice climbing course for anyone looking to try their hand at the dark art of ice climbing. This course is for anyone with a bit of winter climbing experience, but will tailor the course to your specific needs. Scotland is known for its unique climbing style. You will get the opportunity to climb some of Scotland’s infamous ice lines.
On the ice climbing course, we cover the following key areas:
- Seconding up to grade III-V ice routes
- Use of technical crampons and ice axes
- Route selection
- Protection selection, placements and judgement on ice
- Psychological aspects of climbing
- Our personal weaknesses and strengths
- Efficient movement over ice
- Backing off an ice route
Duration
The ice climbing course is 3 days long, and is run in the West Highlands, using Fort William as a base. The client-to-instructor ratio does not exceed 2:1, to ensure that we can give you our fullest attention.
All of our courses are tailored to suit your availability and experience, taking into account any individual needs and fitness levels.
Location
Fort William, Scottish Highlands
Kit
We will discuss any specific kit requirements with you when you make a booking.
Minimum Requirements
This course is suitable only for anyone who has some winter climbing experience. Or for anyone who has attended one of our winter climbing courses. Bear in mind that winter conditions in the Scottish Highlands can be demanding, and a fair degree of fitness and determination would be beneficial. If in doubt about whether the course is suitable for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Typical Ice Climbing course layout
Each day of our ice climbing course, we would spend time assessing the weather, snow and avalanche conditions, in order to learn about safe route planning and detecting potential avalanche terrain.
Day 1
Guided ice climbing, usually a grade III-V. Looking at ice climbing techniques and the use of technical crampons and ice axes. Looking at efficient movement over complex terrain.
Day 2
Guided ice climbing, usually a grade III-V. Looking at efficient movement over complex terrain, and the psychological aspects of climbing.
Day 3
Here we put all of the skills learnt on the previous days into practice, and allow you to take ownership of some/if not all of the day i.e. route selection (under our guidance), and if you feel confident lead a grade III-V route within your ability.
The course content and location tends to be dictated to us by the weather, so the ice climbing course layout can change.
If you are unsure whether the ice climbing course is suitable for you, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@riseandsummit.co.uk or call us on 07775 853 348, and we would be happy to help.
Ice axe advice
If you need some advice on which ice axe to buy, please follow this link.