Ice Climbing Progression Program 2019/2020
Ever dream of climbing the frozen steeps of the Lake Louise Falls or the Johnston Canyon Waterfall in the winter?
Well, the ACC Edmonton Section Ice Climbing Progression Program (IPP) can get you there!
The program is designed to provide instruction for participants to acquire the needed skills and knowledge to ensure safety and confidence when waterfall ice climbing. From putting on crampons for the first time and learning how to swing ice tools, to learning the subtleties of assessing ice conditions, screw placements, and anchors. All levels of instructional are covered through the program.
Sign up now. Winter is long. Want to project those 5.13s next year? Don’t stop climbing!
2019 IPP Course schedule
Intro To Ice (Winter on Ice)
If you have never had crampons on before or have, and really want to get into kicking them into some frozen waterfalls while learning the proper swing technique. Or if you just want to try climbing frozen waterfalls, then this is the course for you ! We will show you how cool and fun ice climbing is while coaching you on how to keep warm while climbing in the winter ! It is true you actually can be warm in the winter and don’t need to stay inside.
We take care of it all for you… well almost. Accommodations, and cool leaders with loads of stoke will be provided for this course. The only thing your required to provide is your transportation, meals, appropriate winter clothing along with an ice climbing package from MEC you will be set !
Course cost per person: $100.00
Number of participants: 8 per weekend
Location: All Intro to Ice (Winter on Ice) course dates are ran out of our National HQ! The Canmore Clubhouse (in Canmore AB)
Gear requirements: See Gear Information below
Dates:
- January 11 & 12 2020 –Click Here to sign up – Full-
- January 25 & 26 2020 – Click Hereto sign up – Full-
- February 1 & 2 2020 Women only course – Click Here to sign up – Full –
- Feb 22 & 23 2020 – Click Here to sign up – Full-
- Feb 29 & March 1 – Click Here to sign Up
Ice Skills Weekends
So you have loads of Ice stoke and are itching for more, or you want to work on your technique and learn more technical skills. Maybe you want to increase your rope system and anchor skills to one day venture out with your friends. These weekends are designed to cover everything from swing and kick techniques, ice anchors, tree anchors, ice quality assessments, route reading, steep ice practice and techniques.
We take care of it all for you… well almost. Accommodations, and cool leaders with loads of stoke will be provided for this course. The only thing your required to provide is your transportation, meals, appropriate winter clothing along with an ice package from MEC you will be set !
Course cost per person:
Canmore Weekend : $100.00 Nordegg Weekend: $ 100.00 **
Number of participants: 8 per weekend
Dates:
- Feb 1 & 2 2020 – Canmore, AB – Click Here to sign up – Full
- Feb 8 & 9 2020 – Canmore, AB – Click Hereto sign up – Full
- Feb 22 & 23 2020 – Steep Ice Specific Weekend – Nordegg, AB – Click Here to sign up – Full
Intro To Lead Ice Climbing
You got the basic’s of ice climbing down to them being second nature and have spent a couple of seasons ice climbing . You think you are ready to learn the fundamentals of lead ice climbing so that when you have the correct head space and the stars line up you’ll be ready for it!
This course is an ADVANCED level course and numbers are kept small to ensure a high level of safety for both the participants and trip leaders.
It is advised that the participant has at a minimum, a high competency level when top rope ice climbing, an understanding of ice formation fundamentals, route selection, placement and removal of ice screws.
If you are unsure if you are ready for this course contact Jonathan Wolf or David Moon by Clicking here
NOTE:
A participants ability to lead climb on this course is at the discretion of the course leaders NOT the participant.
Course cost per person:
Canmore Weekend : $100.00
Number of participants: 4 per weekend
Dates:
- March 14 & 15 2020 – Canmore, AB – Click Here to sign up – Full
GEAR REQUIRED
The below gear list applies to both the Intro weekend courses and Ice skills weekend. Please ensure you bring all listed gear if attending.
- 2 ice tools suitable for ice-climbing (*)
- crampons suitable for ice-climbing (*)
- boots that can support the crampons you’ll be using (*)
- climbing helmet (*)
- climbing harness
- belay device (ATC), with locking carabiner
- clothing suitable to spend a full winter day outside
- backpack to carry your gear, lunch, water, and some group equipment. Minimum 25L+ pack recommended.
(*) = This gear is available for rent at MEC Edmonton. Early reservations are highly recommended.
You are going to want to rent the ice climbing package from MEC, highlighted below:
The package includes boots, crampons, ice axes and a helmet (helmets are mandatory during the weekend). They have weekend packages available for around $60.00.
Harness, belay device and carabiners are not included in the package, which you will also need for the courses.
When trying on boots two things are important.
First, lace them up tight and kick the floor a couple times. If your toe hurts kicking the floor once, it will probably hurt a lot more after kicking ice all weekend. Make sure your toe feels good after a couple kicks.
Second, do a couple calf raises and make sure your back heel doesn’t lift up inside the boot. Your calves will get pumped really fast if your heel is constantly lifting inside the boot. You want a boot that keeps your heel stapled to the bottom of the boot.
