TCS Intermediate Ice Climbing

This class is for climbers who want to gain skills needed to go on their own top-rope ice climbing adventures.  Heavy emphasis will be placed on safely building top rope anchors.  Time permitting, climbers will be introduced to the proper use of ice screws and their usefulness in building anchors.  Safely rappelling on ice will be part of the curriculum.  Also, time permitting, you will be introduced to seconding a multipitch ice climb.  

Schedule: 

Lecture 1: In Person Class at CMC Basecamp, Thursday January 22, 2026 6:30-8:30pm.

Lecture 2: In Person Class at CMC Basecamp, Wednesday January 28, 2026 6:30-8:30pm.

Field Days (3): Overnight trip to Lake City CO, Friday January 30 - Sunday February 1, 2026. Students are responsible for covering their own travel, food and accommodation.  A limited number of shared accommodations, including bathrooms and kitchens, are available at Backcountry Basecamp at a discounted rate of $150 for the entire stay (Thursday night through Sunday morning).  These shared rooms are available on a first come first served basis.  Contact Matt Biscan to reserve your bed! 

NOTE:  You are strongly encouraged to arrive in Lake City on Thursday night January 29.  We will be starting first thing in the morning on Friday January 30.  

Prerequisites:

(1) Intermediate Rock Climbing or equivalent experience. We will be reinforcing these skills with the specific application of top-accessible ice climbing.  You should be proficient at belaying with a tube style belay device.

• Familiarity with top rope anchor building, SERENE, and knots including bowline, bowline on a bite, clove hitch, BHK, stopper knot, prussik, etc.  Please know your knots!
• Rappelling, w/ proper use of extension and autoblock
• Top anchor approach and safety, using a friction hitch and safety line

(2) Basic Ice Climbing or equivalent experience.

• Familiarity with tools and crampons, their use and configuration; we will have demo hardware available (tools and crampons) but you will need your own crampon-compatible boots and safety gear

If you are very new to ice climbing, consider Basic Ice Climbing. If you're an experienced top-rope ice climber who's ready to get on the sharp end, consider Ice Lead Climbing. These three courses are designed as a progression so that they may be taken in series.