Basic Ice Climbing

PREREQUISITES:

The PPG WTS - Wilderness Fundamentals Course and PPG BMS – Basic Rock Climbing are the prerequisites for this course.  Students must have earned the "Wilderness Trekking School Student" and Basic Rock Climbing badges to be able to register for this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Learning to ice climb will help you reach your winter alpine objectives. Ice is frequently encountered in the mountains during winter ascents. Ice climbing is incredibly dynamic combining technique, precision, determination, and excitement. Ice climbing combines the beautiful with the challenge of climbing inclined ice formations. Each day ice can change, grow and shrink which adds a unique element over other climbing styles like rock climbing. 

Class covers: gear overview, ice climbing ratings, anatomy of ice tools and crampons, ice climbing movement, proper climbing technique for swinging ice tools and kicking in crampons, and climbing practice. You will also learn about alpine ice travel including traveling on fixed lines on ice.

SCHEDULE / CONTENT

This course consists of a classroom and field session.  Completion of the course requires both.  The classroom session will cover: gear overview, ice climbing ratings, anatomy of ice tools and crampons, ice climbing movement, and proper climbing technique for swinging ice tools and kicking in crampons. During the field session students will practice ice climbing movements and proper climbing techniques for swinging ice tools and kicking in crampons.  

If there is interest, an optional ice climbing trip to Lake City over President's Day Weekend is possible.