This web page is provided by The Mountaineers Water Ice Climbing Subcommittee. The committee's mission is to facilitate a vital and active water ice climbing community within The Mountaineers. To report problems or contribute content please contact Anita Cech, chair,
at acech@aol.com.
| Sept - Feb | Indoor Ice Play Nights - Most Fridays starting in September |
| Tue Sept 29 | Introduction to Water Ice Climbing Class Meeting |
| Sat-Sun Oct 3-4 | Introduction to Water Ice Climbing Field Trip Option 1 |
| Sat-Sun Oct 10-11 | Introduction to Water Ice Climbing Field Trip Option 2 |
| Tue Oct 13 | Introduction to Leading Water Ice Class Meeting |
| Thu Oct 15 | Introduction to Leading Water Ice Lead Techniques Practice |
| Sat-Sun Oct 17-18 | Introduction to Leading Water Ice Field Trip |
| Sat Oct 24 | Mt Baker Ice Play Day #1 |
| Sun Oct 25 | Mt Baker Ice Play Day #2 |
| Tue Oct 27 | Introduction to Mixed Climbing Class Meeting |
| Thu Nov 5 | Water Ice Mixer |
| Sat Nov 7 | Introduction to Mixed Climbing Field Trip Option 1 |
| Sun Nov 8 | Introduction to Mixed Climbing Field Trip Option 2 |
| Dec 11-13 | Bozeman Ice Festival, Montana |
| Date TBD | Ouray, Colorado |
| Date TBD | Lilloette, BC |
| Date TBD | Banff/Canmore, Alberta |
| Date TBD | Local water ice climbs and play days as conditions permit |
Water Ice Mixer
Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:00 pm at The Mountaineers Clubhouse
If you are interested in water ice climbing, don’t miss our season kickoff social event. Mingle with the other ice junkies at the club, learn more about the events we have planned for this season, meet potential partners, take a few laps on the foam ice wall, enjoy snacks and beverages, and have fun! All are welcome. Sign-up not required. (If you are planning to climb on the foam ice wall, don’t forget your gear, including a helmet.)
Questions? Contact Anita Cech, acech@aol.com.
Indoor “Ice” Climbing
Most Fridays beginning in September, 7:00-9:00 pm, at The Mountaineers Clubhouse
Drop in on Friday evenings and take some laps on the foam ice wall—a great opportunity to work on ice climbing technique and conditioning while you socialize with other climbers during Club Climbing Nights. You will need to bring a helmet, harness, top-roping belay equipment, and crampons (horizontal points only). The club will provide ice tools with special picks for the foam wall. Check the Activities section at www.mountaineers.org to verify which Fridays the foam ice wall will be open. Sign-up not required. Hosted by a different Water Ice Committee member each week.
Questions? Contact Anita Cech, acech@aol.com.
Introduction to Water Ice Climbing
Explore the world of vertical ice climbing in this introductory course. One evening in the classroom and two full days on the ice will provide you with a solid foundation of water ice climbing skills. You will learn about safety considerations specific to ice climbing, evaluating ice quality and strength, moving efficiently on steep and varied ice, constructing top-rope anchors, and techniques for following an experienced leader on vertical ice routes. A small class size and top-roped setting will help ensure a fun, personalized, and safe learning environment.
Schedule:
- Class Meeting – Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7:00 pm, at the Clubhouse, Goodman C
Learn what water ice climbing is all about, check out some of the gear you'll need, and discuss logistics for the field trip.
- Field Trip – Option 1, Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 3-4 or Option 2, Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 10-11, Mt. Baker
Spend a weekend on the Coleman Glacier seracs climbing everything from low-angle to vertical—even overhanging—ice. A small group and close proximity to camp gives you plenty of practice time on the ice.
Gear:
Ropes are provided but personal climbing equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, ice tools, etc.) is not. Purchase, rent, or borrow the required equipment. Alpine ice gear can suffice for the Mt. Baker field trip. We will provide more details about gear at the class meeting. If you have questions prior to that, please contact the course coordinator.
Eligibility and Sign-up:
Any member of The Mountaineers with the ability to safely belay and rappel can join. Completion of the Basic Climbing course, the Crag Climbing course, Intro to Rock Climbing, or equivalent experience is accepted. The course is limited to 16 participants (8 per field trip). Sign-up begins Sept. 8. Click here to register.
Course Coordinator:
Anita Cech, acech@aol.com.
Course Leaders:
Joe Binder, David Johnson
Course Fee:
$50
Introduction to Leading Water Ice
Designed for those who have basic proficiency at following moderate alpine or water ice climbs, this course builds on your existing ice climbing experience to teach you the skills needed to safely lead water ice climbs. You will learn about leading techniques specific to water ice, risk management, dealing with the strenuous nature of steep ice, as well as practicing mock and actual leads. This course lays the foundation for more advanced water ice climbing as you continue to develop your skills informally with peers or participate in The Mountaineers ice climbing outings.
Schedule:
- Class Meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7:00 pm, at the Clubhouse, Goodman C
Get an overview of water ice leading techniques and talk about gear selection, safety, conditioning, and field trip logistics.
- Lead Techniques Practice – Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:00 pm, at the Clubhouse, Goodman C
Practice placing ice screws, racking, etc., during this hands-on workshop utilizing the foam ice wall.
- Field Trip – Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 17-18, Mt. Baker
Spend a weekend on the Coleman Glacier seracs fine-tuning steep ice techniques on top-rope, placing screws, building anchors, mock leading and actual leading. With one instructor for each participant, you’ll enjoy a customized learning experience.
Gear:
Ropes are provided but personal climbing equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, ice tools, etc.) is not. Purchase, rent, or borrow the required equipment. Alpine ice gear can suffice for the Mt. Baker field trip. We will provide more details about gear at the class meeting. If you have questions prior to that, please contact the course coordinator.
Eligibility and Sign-up:
Any member of The Mountaineers who has completed Intermediate Alpine Ice field trips 1 and 2, Introduction to Water Ice Climbing, or has equivalent experience may apply. The course is limited to 6 participants. Click here to fill out an application.
Course Coordinator/Leader:
Jeff Street, jeffstrt@verizon.net
Course Fee:
$50
Course Materials:
If you are interested in sport or alpine mixed climbing, join us to learn and practice drytooling techniques in a top-roped setting. This is also a great way to improve your skills and conditioning for ice season—even without the ice.
Ropes are provided but personal climbing equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, ice tools, etc.) is not. Purchase, rent, or borrow the required equipment. Alpine ice gear can suffice. We will provide more details about gear at the class meeting. If you have questions prior to that, please contact the course coordinator.
This seminar is intended for members of The Mountaineers with prior ice climbing experience, but anyone with the ability to safely belay and rappel—and who is comfortable with the idea of climbing rock with crampons and ice tools—can join. The course is limited to 12 participants (6 per field trip). Sign-up begins Oct 6. Click here to register.
Mt. Baker Ice Play Days
The Play Days provide an opportunity for people with prior ice climbing experience to practice skills on varied terrain, network and socialize with others in the ice climbing community, and enjoy a relaxed day on the ice. No formal instruction will be provided, just self-directed practice time with top-roping, leading, and following as appropriate to your skill level.
Eligibility and Sign-up:
Anyone whose has completed Introduction to Water Ice Climbing or Introduction to Leading Water Ice, or Intermediate Climbing course participants who have completed Alpine Ice field trips 1 and 2, or those with equivalent experience, can participate. Each Play Day is limited to 9 participants. Please contact the trip leader if you are unsure of your eligibility or if you have other questions. Sign-up begins Oct. 12. Click on the following links to register. To allow as many as possible to participate, please sign up for one day only.
Click here to register for the Saturday, Oct. 24 Play Day
Click here to register for the Sunday, Oct. 25 Play Day
