Introduction to Water Ice Climbing Course

Explore the world of water ice climbing! This is a single-pitch course that will cover the techniques needed for safe and effective movement on vertical ice.   By the end of this course, students will successfully demonstrate excellent technique for climbing in the water ice environment (typically climbing WI4 on top rope).

Trip report from previous years.

TO APPLY Please fill out this form:https://forms.gle/ypUyjEuZMmvTWsdFA by Oct 1, 2025.

There will be an initial online session to discuss logistics, gear, technique and several sessions at the Seattle Program Center to get on the foam wall. The bulk of the course will happen at the Ouray ice park in Colorado between Monday January 12, 2026 and Wednesday January 14, 2026. We will climb three days, but you should plan to arrive in Ouray at least the evening before the course and not plan to leave until the morning after the course.

In addition basic training techniques to prepare for ice climbing will be sent out. The better shape you're in the more ice you'll be able to climb.

Required: participation in this course requires a positive attitude. In the past we've dealt with bad weather in Seattle, bad weather in Denver, challenging housing, lost luggage. Ice climbing is also cold.

A few other things to note:

• Please get your application in by the October 1, 2025. We will be reviewing applications and letting folks know by October 15, 2025.  This leaves adequate time for working out housing (shared or otherwise) as well and transport.
• If you are qualified but have financial constraints, please consider applying for a scholarship from the Mountaineers 
• The course fee does NOT include housing or the Ouray Ice park membership. 
• This course often has many more applicants than spots. Volunteering history with the Mountaineers or having signed up for to volunteer in the future is viewed extremely favorably.