Mountaineering/Ice Climbing/Mount Washington

I'm very new to rock climbing, with only a one out door rock climbing experience but would like to expand towards trying ice climbing/mountaineering.

I noticed this guide deal on: emsexploration.com/north-co…

Has anyone done anything like this or have any more information for me on it?

Also, how do I find people to go rock climbing with in New Jersey on this site?

Partner finder, and area message boards: mountainproject.com/scripts…

Mark,

When I first started climbing, I took a mountaineering course, which appears similar to the one you referenced. Hard to tell what the course encompasses, how helpful the guides are, but it sounds like a basic, beginning mountaineering course.

Have fun!

Frank

Just shot ya a message

Mark Horton wrote: Also, how do I find people to go rock climbing with in New Jersey on this site?

Yo, Jersey.

Hi Mark,
I am with the Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School in North Conway NH and would be happy to answer any questions about crossing into the world of winter mountaineering. We've got a few course options for beginners, including single day and three day programs. Class sizes stay pretty small (max 4:1) allowing us to work closely with each student to ensure a great experience with plenty of climbing and skills practice. If you've looking for some feedback from past students we have a testimonials page on our website. This may help to give you a flavor of what we're all about.
emsexploration.com/testimon…

If you have any questions about our programs or general mountaineering questions, please feel free to email me at schools@ems.com. I'd be more than happy to help out.

Best of luck!
George

Group courses are great to save money. In addition to EMS, check out foxmountainguides.com/

If money and fitness aren't obstacles, I've seen people string their February 3-day Ice 101, 3-day Ice 201 and their 4-day mountaineering course together. But you can pick and choose.

Of course, you could also do private guiding for more flexibility, more custom adventure and more $$. I'd consider contacting Cathedral Mtn Guides, too.

Folks may say to just hit up partner finder, which may be the purist route -- along with reading FotH -- but I think if you're new to all areas of climbing an intro. mountaineering course would be money well spent.

I appreciate all the replies and information.

Would anyone have an approximation of how much the gear would cost to do that trip?

Mark - I have taken this course. Good intro - probably worth it if you're just starting out.

Mark Horton wrote:I appreciate all the replies and information. Would anyone have an approximation of how much the gear would cost to do that trip?

Reach out to the guide companies. They should be able to help you find rentals for the more expensive/cumbersome items (boots, crampons, ice tools, helmet). Otherwise, you should be able to put together a decent clothing system off of Mountain Project FS for maybe $500-600 (pants and jacket, gloves, midlayers, puffy).

Hey Mark,

I am actually from NJ myself and would be happy to talk to you about whatever is on your mind. I have both rock and ice climbing experience. Do you also climb in any of the local gyms? Would be happy to meet up for a session! Just shoot me a message if you like.

-Adam

The most important big ticket item for wither climbing is your boots. make sure they fit perfectly and are warm. the latest greatest best climbing technicle boots may not be a good choice for a beginner. you will standing arround in a class and climbing slowly so getting something on the warmer side will be the way to go.

I would definitely rent gear for your first few times mountaineering and ice climbing. Gear for ice can be really expensive, and some people just don't take to it. It's worth it to rent or borrow first and make sure it's a sport you actually enjoy and plan to stick with before putting down $500 on boots, $350 on tools, etc.

Just wanted to post up and say that I did the EMS 3-day last year and had an awesome time. I had no prior experience on ice and they got us on some top rope, then multipitch, then the Mount Washington climb. The instruction was very good and I think you can definitely LEARN a lot while you are there. Its important to go in with the mindset that you are there to learn, not just do some climbing. Of the 6 of us that set out for the summit of Washington on Sunday, 3 made it (2 groups of 3). The people who were watching everything the instructors did and really soaking it up were the ones who made it to the top. The other three failed either due to technique or lack of training.

I had a fair amount of the gear before I went, but still needed a down parka, shell pants and some gloves. I think I spent about $300 on gear, not including rentals. Try to accumulate it over the next months when things go on sale.

Definitely make sure your fitness level is reasonable before you go. It makes a huge difference in the speed you can accomplish things. I'm no gym rat, but I was running 2miles->mild weightlifting 3x a week and I was pretty tired at the top of Washington.

Kari Post wrote:I would definitely rent gear for your first few times mountaineering and ice climbing. Gear for ice can be really expensive, and some people just don't take to it. It's worth it to rent or borrow first and make sure it's a sport you actually enjoy and plan to stick with before putting down $500 on boots, $350 on tools, etc.

+1

check out what IME has to offer at MT. Washington Valley Icefest great place to take a course, to meet cool people, and have a great time. They'll hook you up