Photo: David Clifford
"You cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create experience. You must undergo it." - Albert Camus
Ice is always changing. It changes by simply growing or shrinking; growing stronger or becoming brittle, ice epitomizes the ephemeral. What may stand tall and provide passage one day may crash down and leave nothing behind a few days later. What may be thick, blue and plastic one year can be a miserably-thin, grey smear the next. It's all a part of the ice climbing game and what makes this a worthy pursuit in itself. Historically, ice climbing (if sought out at all) was embraced as "practice" for bigger routes and ranges; it was a necessary evil. But modern technology has given us the gear to not only seek out big, hard ice climbs with relative safety but to enjoy it as well.
I can offer basic instruction on single-pitch crags as well as high-quality experiences on big climbs. While I occasionally foray into the Canadian Rockies for ice climbing trips with return guests, most of my winter is spent on Canada’s West Coast where the ice climbing is more fickle. It is possible to climb ice in and around Squamish when cold- snaps occur but this is hit-and-miss most of the time. Driving over the Duffy Lake Road gives the Coastal ice seeker more options around Marble Canyon/Lillooet area. There are ice climbing options around Whistler as well. Whether you're looking to just try it out, dial in your swing, or check out some classic climbs, you'll find me a willing accomplice and capable partner in any endeavor.
Any trip you wish to book with me will require a phone call or email (contact page here). You can check out my availability on the calendar (here). I am often booked by the week though single-day options work great as well. Here's a couple of important things to consider:
The rates above assume you will provide your personal climbing gear (helmet, harness, boots, crampons, ice tools, etc). Please let me know if you do not have this equipment and I will do my best to find you the best gear at the best rental price.
The rates/ratios above may depend upon your skill and experience in combination with the desired objective; if I feel the combination of these requires it, I will recommend adding another guide to our trip.
The mountains always dictate what we can do, my job is to give you the best experience possible for the given weather/conditions. Sometimes weather forces us to change our objectives but weather cancellations are not possible.
Ice-climbing days are sold by objective, not simply a set period of time (with the exception of Half Days which are ~4hrs in length and can only be applied to appropriate venues). If you wish to climb "Louise Falls" in Lake Louise, Alberta, for example, that's a full day rate even if we climb the route in less time. My focus is to see you both rewarded and satisfied and will do my best to achieve that.