Acadia Mountain Guides Ice Climbing Courses

Ice Climbing

Half Day Ice Climbing Experience
Do you want to give ice climbing a try or take your family out for a different kind of winter activity? The Ice Climbing Experience focuses primarily on movement skills and will get you out on the ice, swinging your tools and having fun.

Half day ice climbs are available at:

Acadia National Park, ME
Kenduskeag Stream, Bangor, ME

Course Length: 4 hours starting by arrangement

Gear: Acadia Mountain Guides will supply you with any needed technical equipment including harness, helmet, belay device, ice tools, and crampons. If you are looking to purchase your own gear we suggest you try before you buy. We can bring a variety of tools and crampons for you to try. As a school client, you will recieve a life-long 15% discount on any gear or clothing purchases made through our gear store - Alpenglow Adventure Sports.

Introductory Ice Climbing
An excellent introduction to waterfall ice climbing for those with little to no experience. In this course you will gain confidence, knowledge and a proper foundation of skills for climbing frozen waterfalls. You will learn to read the ice and begin to understand its many textures and strengths. Also, you will become familiar with the use of crampons, technical ice tools and basic rope skills such as knots, belaying and rappelling. If you a rock climber and already familiar with some of these skills we will move on to more detailed skills.

Emphasis will be placed on efficient movement over diverse ice terrain, awareness of objective hazards, rope management and understanding the demands of winter climbing.

One day courses typically cover either low angle or steep angle ice climbing techniques depending upon your preference.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Full day ice climbs are available at:

Sunday River / Grafton Notch
Sugarloaf Region
Acadia National Park
Camden Hills State Park

When: The course is available around your schedule on either weekends or weekdays. Just give us a call to see what we have open.

2+ Days of Introductory Ice Climbing in Maine
An excellent introduction to waterfall ice climbing for those with little to no experience. In this course you will gain confidence, knowledge and a proper foundation of skills for climbing frozen waterfalls. You will learn to read the ice and begin to understand its many textures and strengths. Also, you will become familiar with the use of crampons, technical ice tools and basic rope skills such as knots, belaying and rappelling. If you a rock climber and already familiar with some of these skills we will move on to more detailed skills.

Emphasis will be placed on efficient movement over diverse ice terrain, awareness of objective hazards, rope management and understanding the demands of winter climbing.

Course Length: We highly recommend 2 - 3 days of progressive ice climbing instruction to become a reliable and confident second for an experienced leader.

Full day ice climbs are available at:

Sunday River / Grafton Notch
Sugarloaf Region
Acadia National Park
Camden Hills State Park

When: The course is available around your schedule on either weekends or weekdays. Just give us a call to see what we have open.

2+ Days of Intermediate to Advanced Ice Climbing in Maine
Sharpen your tools and learn to climb more complex and challenging climbs. Cut years off your learning curve by learning to do it right the first time (aka: Save your ... Take a Class!). Vertical ice takes on many varied and beautiful forms. Descriptions include mushrooms, bulges, cauliflower, candlesticks, chandeliers, pillars, curtains, smears, and flows. Even the color of ice varies with climate, time of day, temperature, and location. Imagination and experience are the keys to efficient and confident movement on this awe-inspiring terrain. Efficient placement and use of tools and crampons, resting techniques, placement and removal of ice protection, and incorporating rock climbing movements into your ice climbing are all part of the day's events. In this course you will be introduced to the placement of ice screws and the construction of ice anchors.

Learn to Lead Waterfall Ice Climbs
Cut years off your learning curve by learning to do it right the first time (aka: Save your ... Take a Class!). Climbers who are already competent at following Grade 3 climbs may take this class. The course addresses the many details that can change leading a climb from a death defying experience to an enjoyable experience with predictable risk. The course covers placing protection, building anchors, belaying partners, rope management, getting down, and basic problem solving for when you are in a pinch. We will take you through a skills progression that culminates in you actually leading a climb if you and your guide feel you're ready for it. Some people take this course multiple times.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Available in the following locations:

Mount Washington Valley / North Conway, NH
Sunday River/Grafton Notch, ME
Sugarloaf, ME
Acadia National Park, ME
Camden, ME

Gear Required: Clothing appropriate for the day.

What's Provided: You are welcome to use your own tools and boots. If you need additional gear from us we are happy to provide what you need at no charge.

Guided Ice Climbs in Maine

Grafton Notch
Maine Line on Mount Kineo
Acadia National Park
Camden Hills State Park

Alpine Mountaineering on Katahdin

Alpine Mountaineering on Mount Washington
Pinnacle Gully, Yale Gully, Damnation Gully, Odell's Gully ...

Spend a day in the alpine zone climbing a famous snow and ice gully in Huntington Ravine. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy some of the best alpine climbing in the east but you should have completed at least an introductory ice course prior to this one. Huntington Ravine has long been a training ground for alpinists who are seeking to climb in the greater ranges. Here you can "put it all together" combining snow and ice climbing along with avalanche awareness and winter travel skills. As with any winter mountaineering venture, this course is subject to mother nature's variables.

Optional Early Start: Add a late afternoon and evening to your trip and awaken only a few minutes from the base of your climb. Following classic European style, we will spend the night in the warmth of the Harvard Cabin at the base of Huntington Ravine where climbers have long spun tall tales of climbing adventures around the world.

Combine any number of days to create the perfect personal experience with each day building on the last.

Gear Required: Gear list provided.

What's Provided: You are welcome to use your own tools and boots. If you need additional gear from us we are happy to provide what you need at no charge.