Quick Details
People
Up to 8 participants
$ 655
The Perfect Introduction to Mountaineering
Do you have big mountain objectives? Headed to Mt. Rainier, Baker, or Denali? Or just want to up-level your winter skills?
This Three Day Basic Mountaineering skills course will teach you how to travel over snow/ice, dress for varying conditions, how to pack, choose food, select the proper gear, campsite selection, how to cook outdoors, and low impact winter camping skills. You will learn how to move efficiently in winter boots and crampons, and how to climb low to moderate angled snow and ice terrain. This is a comprehensive introduction to winter mountaineering skills. No previous climbing experience is required for registration but participants should be prepared for a challenging experience.
The first day will be spent outdoors learning technical skills, returning to town for the evening (you will need lodging for this night). Day two, we will meet at IMCS, sort and pack gear, decide on food and ready ourselves to head up to Mount Washington where we will set up camp, cook dinner and spend the night in anticipation of our summit attempt on the third day. Assessing weather and snow conditions are a big part of mountaineering and this course. Each day’s itinerary may be subject change due to weather and snow conditions.
Other components of instruction can include:
- Terrain Assessment
- Self Arrest
- Crampon and Ice Axe technique
- Introduction to Snow and Ice Anchors
- Foundational 4th and 5th class rope techniques
Our goal is to help you to become a more experienced and responsible winter mountaineer. Your safety in the mountains depends on the decisions you make. This course is a solid first step for climbers interested in climbing the greater mountain ranges of the world. The course outline is flexible and dependent upon the weather, ground conditions and abilities of the participants.
Winter 2025-2026 dates:
- Dec 27-29
- Jan 9-11
- Jan 17-19
- Feb 14-16
- Mar 13-15 *women only
- Mar 20-22
Interested in a private course? Give us a call!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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No prior mountaineering experience is required. As an introductory course, these three days are a perfect stepping stone to set you up for successful backcountry trips in the White Mountains and as a prep for some of the bigger mountains of the world. The course covers foundational mountaineering systems including:
- Snow travel techniques
- Self arresting
- Basic snow climbing and ice ax use
- Expedition efficiency and decision-making
Skills progress from controlled environments to applied terrain over the three days.
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A winter ascent of Mt. Washington is physically demanding.
- 8+ miles roundtrip with 4,250 vertical feet of elevation gain
- 8-10 hour climb with 4-5 hours up and 3-5 hours down
- Carrying a ~45 pound pack to camp; ~35 pound pack to the summit
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This course covers core mountaineering skills—from managing cold weather conditions to navigating terrain and evaluating risk in alpine environments. This is a general outline of the course, and is subject to change.
- Day 1: A portion of this day is inside: setting the plan for the course and outfitting gear. We then move outside to work on crampon techniques and self-arresting using an mountaineering axe.
- Day 2: A portion of this day is inside, organizing sleeping arrangements, tents, food, and packing. Drive to the trailhead, hike to our camping spot, set up camp, eat, and sleep.
- Day 3: Early rise for a summit attempt on Mt. Washington. Pack up camp, return to IMCS, resort camping gear and mountaineering equipment, and debrief.
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We typically return between 4:30–5:30 pm on the final day. Timing depends on conditions, terrain, and group pace.
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Yes. All rental gear is included in the course price. This includes:
- Technical mountaineering equipment
- Four-season tents
- Sleeping bags (0° to -30°)
- Rental clothing and packs, as needed
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Bring any winter gear and clothing that you think will work for the course. We will work to supplement or replace anything that we need to. Ultimately, your own gear and clothing will fits you best.
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We provide dehydrated dinners for the overnight, along with breakfast that morning, and snacks for the climb.
- Day 1: You are responsible for your own nutrition.
- Day 2: Eat breakfast and bring your lunch. We provide dehydrated meals for dinner.
- Day 3: We provide breakfast and snacks for the climb.
We can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice.
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Our ratio is 4 guests to 1 guide, with a maximum of 8 participants total. We intentionally keep ratios low to ensure high-quality instruction, strong risk management, and positive overall experience.
Please review our policies, including cancellation, by clicking below.