Ice

Half Day and Full Day Guided Ice Climbing

Do you want to give ice climbing a try or take your family out for a different kind of winter activity? A day ice climbing with us focuses primarily on movement skills and will get you out on the ice, swinging your tools and having fun!

Half day ice climbing is only available in Acadia National Park.

Full day ice climbing is available at:

• Sunday River / Grafton Notch, ME
• Sugarloaf Region, ME
• Acadia National Park, ME
• Camden Hills State Park, ME
• Mount Washington Valley / North Conway, NH

When: The course is available around your schedule on either weekends or weekdays. Just give us a call to see what we have open.

What: An excellent introduction to waterfall ice climbing for those with little to no experience. In this course, you will gain confidence, knowledge and a proper foundation of skills for climbing frozen waterfalls. You will learn to read the ice and begin to understand its many textures and strengths. Also, you will become familiar with the use of crampons, technical ice tools and basic rope skills such as knots, belaying and rappelling. If you a rock climber and already familiar with some of these skills we will move on to more detailed skills.

One day courses typically cover either low angle or steep angle ice climbing techniques depending upon your preference.

Gear: Acadia Mountain Guides will supply you with any needed technical equipment including harness, helmet, belay device, ice tools, and crampons. If you are looking to purchase your own gear we suggest you try before you buy. We can bring a variety of tools and crampons for you to try. As a school client, you will receive a life-long 15% discount on any gear or clothing purchases made through our gear store – Alpenglow Adventure Sports.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Example Courses

Sharpen your tools and learn to climb more complex and challenging climbs. Cut years off your learning curve by learning to do it right the first time (aka: Save your … Take a Class!). 

2+ Days of Intermediate to Advanced Ice Climbing Skills

Vertical ice takes on many varied and beautiful forms. Descriptions include mushrooms, bulges, cauliflower, candlesticks, chandeliers, pillars, curtains, smears, and flows. Even the color of ice varies with climate, time of day, temperature, and location. Imagination and experience are the keys to efficient and confident movement on this awe-inspiring terrain. Efficient placement and use of tools and crampons, resting techniques, placement and removal of ice protection, incorporating rock climbing movements into your ice climbing are all part of the day’s events. In this course you will be introduced to multi-pitch techniques and become a competent follower.

2+ Days of Learning to Lead Waterfall Ice Climbs

Climbers who are already competent at following Grade 3 climbs may take this class. The course addresses the many details that can change leading a climb from a death-defying experience to an enjoyable experience with predictable risk. The course covers placing protection, building anchors, belaying partners, rope management, getting down, and basic problem solving for when you are in a pinch. We will take you through a skills progression that culminates in you actually leading a climb if you and your guide feel you’re ready for it.

Emphasis will be placed on efficient movement over diverse ice terrain, awareness of objective hazards, and understanding the demands of winter climbing.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Available in the following locations:

• Mount Washington Valley / North Conway, NH
• Sunday River/Grafton Notch, ME
• Sugarloaf, ME
• Acadia National Park, ME
• Camden, ME

Gear Required: Clothing appropriate for the day.

What’s Provided: You are welcome to use your own tools and boots. If you need additional gear from us we are happy to provide what you need at no charge.

Alpine Mountaineering on Katahdin and Mount Washington.

The Cilley-Barber, Waterfall Gully, Pamola Ice Cliffs, Pinnacle Gully, Yale Gully, Damnation Gully, Odell’s Gully, Etc.

Spend a day, or more in New England’s finest alpine environments climbing famous snow and ice gullies. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy some of the best alpine climbing in the east, but you should have completed at least an introductory ice course prior to this one. Huntington Ravine has long been a training ground for alpinists who are seeking to climb in the greater ranges, and Katahdin offers some of the most remote climbing around. Here you can “put it all together” combining snow and ice climbing along with avalanche awareness and winter travel skills. As with any winter mountaineering venture, these courses are subject to mother nature’s variables.

Optional Early Start: Add a late afternoon and evening to your trip and awaken only a few minutes from the base of your climb. Following classic European style, we will spend the night in the warmth of the Harvard Cabin at the base of Huntington Ravine where climbers have long spun tall tales of climbing adventures around the world.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Gear Provided: You are welcome to use your own tools and boots. If you need additional gear from us we are happy to provide what you need at no charge.