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Ice Climbing Course
in
Glaciers and in Frozen Waterfalls*
Einar Sigurðsson ice climbing in Öræfi.
Einar Sigurðsson the
director of From Coast To Mountains travel service, does Ice Climbing Courses
for 1 or 2 people
at a time. We climb in glaciers but if the conditions permit in the winter,
we also climb in frozen waterfalls.
 The bad news are, even in
the middle of winter there is no way to guarantee that we
have frozen waterfalls in the unstable weather conditions of Iceland. The good
news are, that it is possible to practice ice climbing all around the year in
the glaciers of Öræfi. The reason we don't do this course in June/July/August is
mainly that we are too busy with other trips + the glaciers become
dirty in the summer and that is not good for the climbing equipment. We
recommend to come in November-March period, then we have more chance for
waterfall ice and also the glaciers are more clean.
Ice climbing course
The standard 2 day version
The aim of the Ice Climbing Course is
making you know your limits as a climber, and to teach you safe techniques so
you will be able to continue your climbing at least in company of more
experienced climbers.
We start the course by looking at
various ice climbing equipment, boots, crampons, ice axes, ropes, ice screws,
climbing harnesses, helmets etc. We discuss various hazards such as
weather, avalanches, rock or ice fall etc.
Then we put on crampons and practice hiking with an ice axe in the glacier or steep snow/ice slopes.
When we are confident walking on crampons and travelling in
steep terrain, we start to do more steep climbing. First we simply practice the
ice axe swing and footwork on vertical ice using top rope and climb number of
times just to get the right climbing position and feeling for the tools. Then we
move on to placing ice screws on a lead, and doing a belay at the top of a
pitch. You will practice leading, and learn how to climb a multi pitch route. We
will also practice abseiling, learn about
different protection possibilities and learn about
communication on a climb.
All the time when you
climb, even when you are practicing leading or abseiling you will be on a safety
rope.
The Express One Day Version
Obviously we can not cover
much teaching in just one day. In this version we focus on
experiencing ice climbing in a
glacier or in a frozen waterfall route and the main thing is to have a good time
and climb. In some cases I can take more than 2 people on this trip, and then
the price will be lower per person (but less climbing per person too).
 | Time of year
all year except August |
| Equipment provided
all ice climbing equipment** |
| Group size
1 or 2 people |
| Duration
1 or 2 days |
| Price
list |
|
Versions |
1
person |
2
persons |
| One
Day - Express |
30.000
ISK |
20.000
ISK |
| Two
Days - Standard |
45.000
ISK |
30.000 ISK |
* Of course we can not climb in frozen waterfalls if
the weather is to warm. The most likely time to have frozen waterfalls is
November-March, but even then there is no way to guarantee it.
** If you have any ice climbing equipment it is good if you bring it.
Otherwise I will provide the climbing gear.
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