NORWAY ICE
CLIMBING COURSES - 2008
Designed
for enthusiasts of pure ice - the courses offer a chance to learn
the special skills of ice climbing from beginner level and the opportunity
for strong and experienced ice climbers to push their grades and enjoy
the thrill of climbing spectacular vertical icefalls.
In 2008
we are based in one of the world's most fabulous ice climbing
venues: Laerdal in Western Norway. Located
at the head of the Sognefjord, the glaciated trench of Laerdal
develops a huge volume of ice lines of all standards along its 30km
length with routes up to 500m in length, some climbed, many still
unclimbed. Access to routes is simple with many routes less than an
half an hour's walk from the nearest road. Within an hour's drive
from Laerdal we can visit the ice paradise of Utladalen above
Ovre Ardal which sports several dozen 300m lines and boasts
the magnificent 275m free-hanging drop of the Vettisfossen,
perhaps Europe's most spectacular fall. Equally, there are brilliant
lines for beginners such as the 200m grade III Ardalfossen. Most remarkably,
you'll see only very few other climbers in this vast mountain wilderness,
which remains an adventure playground for winter climbers with hundreds
of new lines waiting to be climbed. Conditions are reliable
with ice lines available from sea level to over 1000m in altitude,
and with all aspects.
Access to
Laerdal is remarkably simple - a drive of just over 3 hours from Bergen
airport using a system of road tunnels that provides a guaranteed
route in all but the worst weather. Bergen airport is served
by direct flights from Aberdeen, Newcastle and London Stansted (prices
from £100-150 return), and has connections via Amsterdam or
Copenhagen from most other UK regional airports. We offer car airport
connections to clients arriving in close schedule with our Guides'
arrivals and departures. Otherwise there is a regular fast bus service
from Bergen to Laerdal.
Norway
ice courses 2007: an ocean of ice on the 200m Seltunfossen (WI4+/5)
in Laerdal (climber: Martin Moran)
Photo Galleries: Norway
Ice and Mountain : Norway
Ice 2005
Dates:
February 24- March 2, March 2-9
Course
levels:
Introductory
Ice: course ratio 2:1: Training
and instruction in pure ice climbing with multi-pitch routes of Scottish
III standard (WI3) and single pitch to Scottish IV/V (WI 4) for ice
beginners. There will be opportunity to try leading on pitches of
grade II/III standard under the expert supervision of your guide.
We recommend that all applicants for this course should have previous
rock climbing experience (indoors or outdoors) and have done some
general Scottish winter or Summer Alpine mountaineering using ice
axe and crampons. PRICE: £860
Intermediate/Technical
Ice: course ratio 2:1:
Aimed at regular climbers with previous experience of winter climbing
who want to enjoy steeper ice coupled with genuine mountain adventure.
Each course will offer a mixture of tuition and training on shorter
accessible icefalls up to Scottish grade VI (WI 5+) and adventurous
longer routes with real mountain challenge eg: 200m Seltunfossen.
There'll be opportunties to lead under guide's supervision. Applicants
should have previous winter climbing experience to Scottish grade
III/IV (WI 3 or above), plus plenty of rock climbing. This ensures
that you will have the strength and stamina in arms and legs to enjoy
more sustained and steeper ice routes.
PRICE: £960
Advanced
Ice: 4 days 2:1 ratio, 1 day 1:1 ratio: For clients who
have already developed the skills of Continental waterfall ice climbing
to WI4+ standard and want to expand their skills on to long, difficult
and more serious routes with opportunity to pioneer some new routes
up to 500m in length and WI5+/6 in technical standard. One day is
reserved for 1:1 ratio guiding. The course gives the chance to lead
on WI4/4+ routes and to try dry-tooling and mixed climbs. Applicants
should have previous ice climbing experience to WI4+ and/or Scottish
grade V, including multi-pitch routes plus plenty of rock climbing
at HVS level or above. PRICE:
£1080
We can advise
on your suitability for the alternative courses.
Courses
meet on Sunday evening and depart Sunday morning. There will be
5 climbing days between Monday and Saturday with one day spare to
allow for bad weather or to give you a rest or a chance to
go ski-ing in the local area.
Course
prices include 7 nights self-catering
accommodation in comfortable heated cabins on Laerdal Feriepark www.laerdalferiepark.com
with breakfast and lunch food provided. Clients share shopping
and cooking evening meals. 5 days guiding and all local travel is
provided in the price. We will offer airport connections in our hire
cars whenever possible (price £25 single)
A full
course information pack is sent out on booking with travel details
and recommended flights to Bergen
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Norwegian
Ice 2006: Leading on the Skoretfossen (WI3+) : climber: Rob Jonas
