NORWAY ICE
CLIMBING COURSES - 2009
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 2009
we are again 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 22- March 1, March 1-8
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:
£920
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: £980
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 and WI5+/6 in technical standard.
One day is reserved for 1:1 ratio guiding on a route such as
Kjorlifossen (400m, WI 5) or Thorfossen (500m, WI 5+). 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:
£1140
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
Intro
Ice 2008: Climbing the Stigafossen (120m, WI3+) : climber: Kirsty
Perry
