We’ll cover the basics starting with equipment selection (all of which is included as part of the course). You’ll learn how to swing an ice axe into a frozen waterfall, as well as how to kick in a crampon and get it to stick. Our primary emphasis in this introductory course is to teach good movement skills on the ice.

This course is available as one, two, or three days. While we can give you a very good overview of ice climbing in one day, extending the course to 2-3 days will allow you to get more comfortable moving on ice and explore more terrain. Check out the more detailed itineraries below.

This course is available as a private, pre-existing group, or via our Flexible Booking option (we’ll try to match you with other climbers).

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    Online Bookings
    Online bookings are subject to guide availability and other factors such as weather and climbing conditions. After receiving your online booking, we will get back to you within 1 business day via phone or email to confirm your booking. In the event that we cannot accommodate your booking, you have the option of having your payment refunded or applied to a future booking.

    Payment
    SMG accepts credit cards, PayPal, checks, and cash. Payment is due in full 7 days before a booking (or at time of booking confirmation when a course/trip is less than 7 days away). An exception is made for payment by check or cash...in these cases, payment is due in full at or before the course/trip.

    Cancellations
    If you have to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible. If you cancel 30+ days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date or you can request a refund. If you cancel from 14-29 days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date. If you cancel 13 days or sooner from the booking, for any reason, the deposit/payment is forfeited.

    Weather & Winter
    Winter courses/trips are rain or shine. If SMG cancels a booking due to weather, we will reschedule you for an alternate date of your choice.

Pay a 50% Deposit

Course Information

We’ll work carefully on teaching you good footwork, i.e. how to get your weight over your feet. Usually your first time on the ice involves going up an easy slab without ice axes. With your palms against the ice and literally nothing to pull on, you’ll have no choice but to climb the ice wall with your legs. By practicing kicking your front points into the ice at different angles, you’ll soon discover the optimum angles for both striking the ice and then weighting the crampon.

Once we have your footwork down we’ll introduce the ice axe and teach you the proper technique for swinging it into the ice. This is the fun part. Right away we’ll try to help you discern the difference between a good and bad “stick” and we’ll also introduce the concept of the “self belay” where you are secured at all times to the ice through the ice axe and leash. Most ice climbing accidents occur because people never learned the difference between a good stick and one that shouldn’t be trusted. We’ll talk about how to get in and out of the ice axe leash, for placing and removing protection, and this course now also includes instruction on climbing with leashless ice axes. Other skills you’ll be introduced to include reading the ice, i.e. how to hone in on the those spots where the ice is strong and the picks will be easy to secure. We’ll also teach you various technical skills like rope handling, belaying, and how to catch a fall.

The intro course is usually taught at Frankenstein Cliff in Crawford Notch where we’ll spend the day toproping ice of varying difficulty. How steep it gets will depend on your previous climbing experience, innate ability, and willingness to push it. It’s not uncommon for us to get people climbing vertical ice their first day out, especially if you have climbed rock before. In addition to the climbing skills, we’ll talk about how to stay warm, what to eat and how to dress.

Synnott Mountain Guides can supply any and all equipment and clothing you might need for the experience. We generally encourage people not to buy anything until they have completed the course as you will then be in a better position to know what exactly it is that you’ll need.

Multi-day courses will break into the intermediate curriculum on the second and third day and by the end of it you’ll be competently following mutli-pitch ice routes like Standard Route at Frankenstein or Cinema Gully on Mt. Willard.

Course Dates:

  • The Intro to Ice Climbing course is available during the core of the Northeast ice climbing season, which is generally December through March.
  • Synnott Mountain Guides has existing courses running most weekends from January through March. This course can also be set up custom according to what works for your schedule, whether it’s a weekday or weekend.


Mountains, Cliffs, & Routes

Common Intro to Ice Climbing locations include:

  • Frankenstein Cliff
  • Mount Willard
  • Cathedral Ledge
Difficulty

Beginner

Length

One to Multiple Days

Season

Winter (generally December-March)

Inquire

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