Ice Climbing

In the Canadian Rockies waterfall ice etches lines of aquamarine, dull silver and river green into walls of black limestone. Jewels in the crown, ice lines draw us from the car, away from the trail and into the forest. Sometimes on foot; sometimes on snowshoes, or skis; often by headlamp; we travel to the ice evaluating hazards each step of the way. Ice axes are our handholds, crampons our footholds, ice screws provide our protection.

Learning to read where we can stress the ice and craft our support is an art, often a physically intense one. We ascend hundreds of feet of bulges and cauliflowers, pillars and daggers and chandeliers. Ice can form in as many different ways as snow, and can change from a forgiving plastic to a brittle crystal in the drop of 10 degrees of Celcius. Five hundred feet higher we're on top and shake hands and rappel away ... another good day in the mountains.

Scheduled Ice Climbing Programs:
BASIC ICE - ADVANCED ICE - COMPLETE ICE - HOT ICE

Private Ice Guiding and Instruction

Basic Ice

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Experience and enjoy this super exhilarating sport on our weekend course. Personalized instruction will help you to develop technique, the signature of a good climber. We focus on movement skills and use simple rope handling techniques on short frozen waterfalls. 'PlusDays' Add a day to 'Basic Ice' and climb a Rockies multi-pitch classic! Available every Monday after 'Basic Ice', see 'Basic Ice' prospectus for details.

Prerequisites: None save enthusiasm!

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Advanced Ice

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For the intermediate climber seeking an introduction to the techniques of multi-pitch climbing. Three days of systems for anchors, leading, steep ice techniques and lots of climbing.

Prerequisites: 'Basic Ice' or equivalent plus some further experience.

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Complete Ice

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Ascents of the finest ice climbs in the Rockies follow a thorough grounding in the basics of ice climbing to make "Complete Ice". Build a solid skills and systems base then put it together climbing in small student/instructor teams. An excellent week of climbing and a great start to a new sport!

Prerequisites: None save enthusiasm and good physical fitness.

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Hot Ice

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The Canadian Rockies are one of the finest places on earth to climb waterfall ice and 'Hot Ice' is one of the finest ice climbing programs. We've got folks coming back for their 5th and 6th years of 'Hot Ice'. Join them for five days of climbing and coaching in intense, low-ratio sessions where there are no limits!

Prerequisites: Fitnes and previous ice or hard rock experience.

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