Ice Climbing

guide leading some Colorado waterfall ice

Winter Ice Climbing: Offered December-March

Climbing the ephemeral ice of a frozen waterfall is an experience one is likely to never forget. Ice Climbing with Mountain Pro ranges from mild introductory days in the Ouray Ice Park to wild multipitch ice in the San Juan mountains. Mountain Pro can accomodate all abilities of ice climbers through their partnership with Crested Butte Mountain Guides.

Mountain Pro Ice Destinations

Ouray Ice Park: The world famous Ouray Ice Park is in a truly spectacular seeting in the Uncompahgre Gorge with easy access and endless amounts of ice to climb. The Ouray Ice Park offers hundreds of climbs from beginners to expert all within a five minute walk. This is the ideal place to learn to climb or to improve on your technique climbing steep waterfall ice.The Ouray Ice Park was opened in 1995 as the world’s first ice climbing park.

Lake City, CO: Just like Ouray was ten years ago! Located 1.5 hrs south of Crested Butte in the Northern San Juan mountains, the quiet mining town of Lake City offers world class ice climbing without the crowds. Lake City boast several small man made ‘Ice Parks’ as well as many natural climbs ranging from single pitch classics to long multipitch adventures. If you want to explore classic Colorado ice climbing and don’t want to deal with the ’scene’ in Ouray, Lake City is the place.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Located just one hour’s drive from Crested Butte is the adventurous ice of the Black Canyon. The Black has short moderates and long and complex climbs like the ‘Curecanti Monster’. Ice in the black is an incredible wilderness ice adventure that you just cannot experience at an ‘ice park’.

Summer Ice Climbing: Offered June-Sept

Exclusively in Chamonix! The Mer De Glace glacier accessed easily by the Montenvers train, offers spectacular glacier ice climbing at the foot of the spectacular Drus and the Grand Jorasses! This is the perfect introductory day for those looking to learn the basics of ice climbing without the hassle of cold hands and feet! After honing your skills on the accessible glacier ice, we will apply your new talents to a longer alpine objective suited to the current conditions.

Guests practice swinging their tools in Lake City

Mike’s introduction to ice progression is designed to give the climber all the tools necessary to succeed on steep waterfall ice. This progression has been refined through many seasons working with novice ice climbers from day climbs to intensive twelve-day courses.

The day starts with an introduction to the equipment including the anatomy of ice tools and crampons. We then spend ample time practicing our footwork while learning more traditional cramponing techniques. After dialing in our footwork it’s time to learn about using our ice tools, before getting on the ropes and refining our efficient ‘tracking’ techniques for the remainder of the day.

Specific goals can be accommodated due to our low ratios everything from steep mixed climbing technique to lead climbing can be arranged.

Contact Mike for more information about Ice Climbing.