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International Mountain Climbing School 2733 Main Street, Rt. 16 P.O. Box 1666 North Conway, NH 03860 PHONE: (603) 356-7064 FAX: (603) 356-6492 EMAIL: guides@ime-usa.com |
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| 15th
Annual Women's Rock Day |
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Three-Day
Basic |
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 This
is our most popular winter course. Each winter we teach at least forty
separate courses. Each course is different but we stick to a classic
curriculum of fundamental skills. We have at least one group course
going out every weekend with many other privately arranged programs
spread throughout the course of the winter season. Check out the course
photo gallery for a visual
idea of what we do and where we go. Efficiently climbing moderate snow and ice terrain along with lightweight and low impact winter camping skills is the focus of this three-day course. It is a comprehensive introduction to basic winter mountaineering skills. No previous climbing experience is required for registration but participants should be prepared for a challenging experience. |
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| You will spend most of your time learning to use your crampons and ice axe properly. Other components of instruction include ice axe self-arrest, ice climbing, snow climbing, snow & ice anchors, glissading, avalanche hazard awareness and an ascent of Mt. Washington on the final day of the course. | |||||||||||
| Our goal is to help you become a responsible and self-sufficient winter mountaineer. Taking this course will provide a solid first step for climbers interested in climbing the greater mountain ranges of the world. The course outline is flexible and dependent upon the weather, ground conditions and abilities of the participants. | |||||||||||
| If you are able to schedule your arrival for the day before the course starts please come by the office and get outfitted early. This will save valuable time and will allow you to spend more of the first day in the field. | |||||||||||
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Components of Instruction
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Proper use of ice axe in piolet canne position, how to swing the ice axe, how to use a leash on the ice axe |
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Proper use of crampons using the French, International & Front pointing techniques |
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Waterfall ice climbing (low angled, moderate) |
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Snow climbing |
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Roped travel techniques |
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Snow & ice anchors |
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Winter camping skills |
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Avalanche awareness |
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Ascent of Mt. Washington |
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Course itinerary
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| Day One: | |
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Meet at IME 8:00am for equipment check and gear fitting |
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Travel to Crawford Notch (Willey's Slide or Frankenstein Cliffs) |
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Learn to use your crampons (French, International and Front pointing techniques) |
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Learn to use your ice axe and the very important skill of self arrest. |
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Learn to use the ice axe and crampons together while top rope climbing or ascend a moderate multi-pitch ice climb. |
| Day Two | |
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Meet at IME 8:00am for pack up and gear check |
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Carpool to Pinkham Notch. Hike up to campsite in Tuckerman or Huntington Ravine. Set up camp. Discuss low impact camping techniques. |
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Snow anchor, snow belay and roped travel clinic |
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Avalanche awareness briefing |
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Dinner, tall tales, and bed. |
| Day Three |  |
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Get up early! | |
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Ascend Mt. Washington with option of climbing a technical gully. | |
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Descend, break camp and return to IME by 4:00pm. We recommend that climbers stay over in North Conway so you can get cleaned up and well rested before you travel home. | |
| Dates: | December 28-30; January 4-6; January 18-20; February 1-3; February 15-17; February 19-21; February 22-24; March 7-9; March 21-23, March 28-30; April 4-6 |
| Cost: | $400 (group of four); $450 (group of three); $535 (group of two); $700 (private) *all prices per person |
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The proper clothing is vital if you are to enjoy
the program.
Please take the quote "Cotton Kills" seriously. Cotton is NOT suitable for use in the mountains in winter. Please use the gear list to help you prepare for your course or guided climb. |
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