Colorado Intermediate Ice / Mixed Climbing Course
Push your limits and learn the delicate dance of mixed climbing
The alpine setting of the San Juan Mountains near the famed towns of Ouray and Telluride, Colorado offers world renowned ice climbing for intermediate level climbers. Combine the easy access and great ice of the Ouray Ice Park and numerous backcountry ice climbing opportunities and you have an ideal winter climbing destination. During this course you’ll refine your techniques, climb increasingly more difficult routes, and develop leading skills to be able to proficiently get out there on the sharp end. This is a great course to do prior to heading out for some of the area classics.
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Course Perks
Ice by day, warmth by night. In the evenings, climbers can enjoy fine dining, a soak in the Ouray Hot Springs and the comforts of one of the area’s many Bed-&-Breakfasts. Ouray also offers access to an abundance of outdoor sports close at hand. For those interested in skiing, before or after the course, it’s a short drive to the ski slopes of Telluride Ski Resort. And brilliant desert rock climbing is a mere two hours away in the areas surrounding Moab, Utah. Doesn’t a 2‑day desert rock climbing extension sound great?!
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Description
Learning how to lead technical waterfall ice climbing requires a variety of skills, both technical and mental. This course teaches the techniques of multi-pitch ice climbing, placing ice protection, equalized anchor construction and more!
We can also provide and introduction to mixed climbing. In both the alpine environment and winter ice climbing areas such as Ouray, conditions often require mixed climbing, transitioning from ice to rock and back again. Under the guidance of your instructor you’ll learn the tricks of the trade where crampons scrape on rock, your ice pick gets slotted into cracks, and you do a delicate dance moving from rock back onto the ice.
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Price
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Colorado Intermediate Ice / Mixed Climbing Course
$550 – 2 Days
Minimum 2 participants
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Price Includes
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals
- All personal equipment
- Guide gratuities
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
Course is Arranged on a Custom Basis — Contact Us or Visit our Colorado Guided Ice Climbing Trip Page for Pricing
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Flight Information
Ouray is located in the SW corner of the state of Colorado. The airport nearest Ouray is approximately 40 miles away in Montrose, Colorado. If you fly, plan on arriving the day before the course begins. Rental cars are available at the Montrose airport.
Colorado Intermediate Ice / Mixed Climbing Course Day by Day
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Day 1
XXX
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Day 2
XXX
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or other reasons beyond our control and in the guide’s best judgement.
Equipment for Colorado Intermediate Ice / Mixed Climbing Course
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Carrying Gear
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Climbing Pack (30L)
30L (2500-3500 cubic inch) with ice tool attachments
Examples:
Black Diamond Speed 30
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Climbing Gear
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Rock climbing harness
comfortable and padded
Examples:
Petzl Adjama, Black Diamond Momentum
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Locking carabiners (2)
Two large, pear-shaped carabiners are best
Examples:
Black Diamond Rock Lock, Petzl William, Petzl Attache
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Non-locking carabiners (2)
2 non-locking carabiners. wired straight-gates are recommended
Examples:
Black Diamond HotWire
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Belay device (plaquette)
Tube style
Examples:
Black Diamond ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso
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4' of perlon accessory cord
4' of perlon accessory cord for prussik materials (6mm diameter)
Examples:
Sterling
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Double length nylon runner (48" or 120cm)
be sure to get nylon not dyneema (18mm width)
Examples:
Black Diamond Nylon Slings
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Technical mountaineering ice tools (pair)
or single mountaineering ice axe and single technical tool
Examples:
Petzl Sum'Tec, Petzl Quark, Black Diamond Venom, Black Diamond Cobra
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Spinner leash
ice tool harness attachment points
Examples:
Black Diamond Spinner Leash
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Crampons w/ anti-balling plate
Steel 12-pont. Must be fit to climbing boots prior to trip, new-matic/hybrid type
Examples:
Black Diamond Sabretooth, Petzl Vasak
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Climbing helmet
Lightweight
Examples:
Black Diamond Half Dome, Petzl Elios
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Glacier glasses
100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case
Examples:
Julbo
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Balaclava or neck gaiter (optional)
lightweight
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Hands
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Light weight work gloves
lightweight gloves with leather palm for rope work
Examples:
Black Diamond Transition Glove
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Insulated mountaineering boots (NW)
waterproof, insulated, crampon compatible, full shank boots. Many of these boots have Women specific equivalents (May –late June and Ice Climbs)
Examples:
Scarpa Mt Blanc, Scarpa Phantom Tech, La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX, Salewa Vulture Vertical GTX
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Small stainless-steel thermos (optional)
For hot beverages on summit day
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Course
Colorado Intermediate Ice / Mixed Climbing Course
$550
2 Days
Minimum 2 participants
Client to Instructor Ratio
2:1
Difficulty
Intermediate
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