Quick Details
Private Guided Climb
1:1 Climber to Instructor ratio!
$ 405
Semi Private Guided Climb
2:1 Climber to Instructor ratio
$ 530
Two Day Private Guided Climb
$ 725
Two Day Semi Private Climb
$ 990
Prepare for Technical Alpine Objectives
This course is designed for climbers who already have basic ice climbing and mountaineering experience and want to develop the technical skills needed to begin tackling alpine snow and ice objectives on their own. It is offered as a one-day skills course, with an optional second day on an alpine route.
Your skills day is spent in terrain where we can focus on instruction, repetition, and experimentation. We’ll work on snow and ice protection and anchors, as well as how to move through increasingly complex terrain and solve problems as they arise. You’ll have time to build anchors, test different systems, practice transitions, and work through problems with your guide.
The emphasis is on understanding how and why these systems work.
Skills we may cover, depending on your goals and conditions:
Protection & Anchors
- Ice-screw placement
- V-threads and bollards
- Pickets, ice axes, and buried snow anchors
- Using terrain and natural features for protection
- Building and equalizing snow and ice anchors
- Assessing anchor quality
Movement & Rope Systems
- Efficient movement with crampons and ice tools
- Alpine belay systems and transitions
- Rope management
Retreat & Problem Solving
- Retreating from technical terrain
- Building improvised rappel and retreat anchors
- Decision-making and risk assessment in alpine terrain
Want to see these skills in action? Add an Alpine Climbing Day
Add a second day and head into the mountains with your guide to climb an appropriate alpine snow and ice route. Possible objectives include Mt. Willard, Mt. Webster, or Mt. Washington. Route selection depends on weather, conditions, and ability. Your guide leads and explains their decisions along the way, so you can see how anchors, rope management, and route choices work on a real objective.
Note: your alpine day meeting time and schedule vary with the objective and will be confirmed with your guide.
Prerequisites:
Previous ice climbing and mountaineering experience is required. Participants should be comfortable using crampons and ice tools and should know how to tie into a climbing rope and belay.
Appropriate previous courses, or their equivelent, include:
- Intro to Ice Climbing
- Intro to Mountaineering
- Three-Day Basic Mountaineering
What’s Included:
- Ice axe, crampons, helmet & harness
- All rental gear included — even cold-weather clothing if needed
- Small ratios for personalized instruction
What’s Not Included:
- Lunch, snacks & plenty of water (a warm drink in a thermos is great for staying warm)
- Choose high-calorie, easy-to-eat foods to keep energy up throughout the day
Meeting Location & Schedule:
- Meet at 2733 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH
- Arrive by 8:00 AM for gear check, outfitting & guide introductions
- Course runs 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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Gear List for Mountaineering Day Programs
Clothing is as important as your boots and ice axe. Hypothermia is one of the most common causes of injury in the White Mountains, and being properly dressed is essential to enjoying your day.
Technical equipment for your course is provided by IMCS. Please bring any clothing from this list that you already own. An asterisk (*) marks other items available from IMCS at no additional fee, though size and fit may vary.
Most items on this list (except long underwear) can be purchased at IME. IMCS guests receive 10% off new gear at IME the day before, the day of, and the day after their course. The discount does not apply to consignment items.
Technical Equipment
- Mountaineering Boots*
- Helmet*
- Harness*
- Crampons*
- Backpack—35 to 55L capacity with adjustable hip belt*
Feet
- Wool or synthetic socks that come up to mid-calf or higher
- Toe warmers (optional if you run cold)
Legs
- Thermal layer—Synthetic or wool long underwear, your guide will let you know the day of your program if a thermal layer is necessary given the weather, conditions, and objective.
- Moving layer—Soft shell pants recommended but skiing specific uninsulated hard-shells with good ventilation are also an option.
- Shell—Waterproof with with full or ¾ length side-zips (not necessary to have a second pair if you are using shells as your primary moving layer)*
- Gaiters—Should fit around the entire calf and be able to fit over a mountaineering boot and pant layers.*
Torso
- Base layer—long-sleeved wicking layer, lightweight wool or synthetic
- Lightweight insulation and wind protection—many options work here such as a fleece or lightweight softshell, our preference is for the latter*
- Mid-weight insulation—down or synthetic insulated jacket (hood preferred)*
- Waterproof shell—single layer, no added insulation*
- Belay Jacket—Heavy duty down or synthetic parka, must be large enough to fit over all other pieces (here are a few examples: Black Diamond, Patagonia)*
Hands
- Lightweight gloves
- Midweight gloves
- Heavyweight mittens or gloves with waterproofing (i.e. ski gloves)*
- Hand warmers (optional if you run cold)
Head & Face
- 2 x winter hats—one that will fit under a helmet
- Facecoverings—one lightweight buff, and one balaclava
- We recommend OuterU products, their faceglove Flex is perfect for keeping your cheeks and nose sheltered, and their Bala is a great component for colder days. The faceglove is available at IME.
- Sunglasses
- Goggles *(limited IMCS availability)
- LED headlamp and spare batteries
- Sunscreen
Food and Hydration
- One or two liters of water with insulation such as the Outdoor Research water bottle parka, or a heavy-duty sock.
- NO camelbacks as the tubes will freeze even when in a neoprene liner.
- Small thermos for hot drinks—optional but recommended
- Food—bring items that are quick and easy to eat on the go and have high caloric value. We will not stop for a formal lunch but rather be eating on the go throughout the day. Avoid fresh fruit and other items that have the potential to freeze. Plan 2000- 3500 calories for the day
Personal
- Medications
- Trekking poles—optional, collapsible and lightweight (must fit inside your backpack).
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