A Comprehensive Introduction to Expedition Climbing and Essential Mountaineering Skills
If you are looking to become a mountaineer and have aspirations of climbing the bigger mountains of the world this course is jam packed with essential skills. With a compact, comprehensive itinerary and practical skills put into practice - this is the real deal. You may enter green but will leave with the confidence to embark on single day or expedition climbs in the future.
What To Know
CLIMB DETAILS
Length: 5 Days
Guide-to-Client Ratio: 1:4
Difficulty: Strenuous
When: January - March
Type: Course
Type: Mixed
PRICING
1 person: $1750 per person
2 people: $1450 per person
3 people: $1250 per person
4 people: $1100 per person
5+people: Call for rates
RENTAL GEAR
Most of the required equipment [listed below] is available for rent from our affiliate mtnGEAR. NEM climbers will receive an exclusive discount of 20% discount on all rental equipment and clothing.
Essential Mountaineering Skills
The comprehensive itinerary starts at The Bunkhouse at Northeast Mountaineering where you will meet your guide and grasp what the following days will entail. Every day is split into a morning and afternoon session with an evening discussion after dinner. Days two, three and four will be spent in the mountains learning new skills in a real-life environment. Basecamp for these days is the Harvard Cabin on the East side of Mt Washington. The shelter provides an environment that is conducive to learning and maximizes the educational process. This course includes a client-lead summit attempt of Mount Washington. We will finished the week tired, hungry, eager for a celebratory drink.
JAM PACKED
Due to the length and amount of information covered in this course, the itinerary and topics are subject to change. We will adjust this course to meet your needs! If time permits, we may cover emergency shelters, basic navigation and/or basic avalanche awareness skills. For a comprehensive understanding, consider enrolling in an AIARE Avalanche Course and/or Wilderness Navigation.
DAY ONE:
Location: NEM Bunkhouse
Morning Objectives
- Winter clothing & gear selection
- Self care in cold environments
- Hydration & Nutrition
- Packing Procedure
- Gear Check
Afternoon Objectives
- Self Arrest
- Crampon Techniques
- Rest Stepping
Evening: Obtain needed/missing supplies
DAY TWO
Location: NEM Bunkhouse/Harvard Cabin
Morning Objectives
- Knots
- Friction Knots
- Hitches
Afternoon Objectives
- Hike into Harvard Cabin
- Winter camping
- Overnight in tents
Evening: Leave No Trace
DAY THREE
Location: Harvard Cabin
Morning Objectives
- Snow Anchor Construction
- Types of Anchors
Afternoon Objectives
- Rope Team Travel
- Organizing a Rope Team
- Running Belays
- Overnight in Harvard Cabin
Evening: Open Review Session
DAY FOUR
Location: Mt Washington
Morning Objectives
- Summit Attempt on Mt Washington
Afternoon Objectives
- Summit Attempt on Mt Washington
Evening: Free
DAY FIVE
Morning Objectives
- Crevasse Rescue and Hauls
Afternoon Objectives
- Ice Climbing
- Belaying
- Rappelling
Stay Safe In Avy Terrain
AIARE 1: DECISION MAKING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN
Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).
PRICING
1 person: $550
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Stay Found with Map and Compass
WILDERNESS NAVIGATION
Having a map and compass constitutes one the “Ten Essentials” as recommended by numerous recognized outdoors organizations. As such, if you play in the wild, you may indeed carry these tools. But do you know how to use them? Learn how to plot a course and confidently follow it. Be a master of the wilderness by knowing where you are and where you’re going. After all, if you know these two things, you’re not lost!
PRICING
1 person: $325 per person
2 people: $275 per person
3 people: $250 per person
4 people: $225 per person
Learn More
Nutrition
Your “lunches” are taken in the field throughout the day during short 10 to 15 minute breaks. We suggest crackers, pizza, candy bars, jerky, chips, cookies, trail mix, fruits, Gu, energy bars, and hard candies. Drink mixes such as Gatorade and Kool-Aid help flavor your water. Add peanut butter, cream cheese, hard cheese, or pepperoni for additional calories and taste. If you enjoy bread items, bagels work well. Include some salty snacks to replenish lost salts.Hydration
To help prevent cramping and heat related injuries, you will need at least 2 liters of water per day. Water is preferred, but other liquids such as gatorade help replace electrolytes and work well, too!Don’t go over the top
When planning, don’t bring any items that require extensive preparation or cooking. We are able to provide you with boiling water on overnight adventures, but do not have the ability to actually cook food items.For your convenience, we have the mandatory gear available for rent! We also have a small selection of clothing available for rent if you are missing anything listed above. Upon completion of registration, you will receive a welcome packet via email with a gear rental form that you will complete and return to reserve the gear you need for you adventure!
Mandatory Items |
Guides Pick |
| [ ] Pack with Waist Strap: A 3000 cu. in. pack is the recommended size for one day climbs. Your pack MUST have a waist strap. A backpack will not suffice. | Camp M4 |
| [ ] Crampons: 10-12 point adjustable crampons designed for ice climbing. | Camp Cassin C14 |
| [ ] Ice Axe: An ice axe designed for general mountaineering. | |
| [ ] Climbing Harness: A comfortable, adjustable climbing harness. | Camp Group II |
| [ ] Helmet: A lightweight climbing helmet. | Camp Rock Star |
| [ ] Warm Hat: Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet. | Camp Race Hat |
| [ ] Balaclava/Neck Gaiter: Optional but recommended | Mountain Hardwear Powerstretch |
| [ ] Ball Hat/Sun Hat: Optional. A lightweight ball cap or sun hat. | |
| [ ] Sun Glasses: A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses. | Julbo Dolgan |
| [ ] Lightweight glove: One pair of fleece gloves. | Camp G Lite Wind |
| [ ] Medium Weight Glove: Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves. | Camp G Tech Dry |
| [ ] Heavy Insulated Glove/Mitten: Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove. | Marmot Expedition Mitt |
| [ ] Base Layer Top and Bottom: Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top will be used as your base layer. Zip-neck styles will allow for better temperature regulation. | Patagonia Capilene 3 |
| [ ] Light Insulating Layer/Soft Shell Top: A fleece or other insulation layer. | Patagonia R1 Hoody |
| [ ] Hard Shell Jacket with Hood: Wind/rain Proof. Gore-Tex recommended. | First Ascent Storm Shell |
| [ ] Insulated Parka: This item becomes of highest importance when we are faced with poor weather. This should be an expeditionary-type heavy parka that extends well below the waist and above the knees. Goose down is recommended versus synthetic fill. It does not have to be waterproof, but that is a nice feature. The parka is worn primarily at rest breaks on summit day and as an emergency garment if needed. When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood. | Camp ED Protection Jacket |
| [ ] Climbing Pants: Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold. | First Ascent Guide Lite |
| [ ] Hard Shell Pants: A pant made of breathable rain and wind-proof material will be needed. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons in cold, inclement weather. | First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell |
| [ ] Mountaineering Boots: Insulated plastic boots are the preferred choice for ascents on Mt. Rainier. They provide the best insulation as well as a more rigid sole for kicking steps and holding crampons. Leather mountaineering boots that have completely rigid soles are also adequate, but they will need to be insulated and may still result in cold feet on summit day. Lightweight hiking boots without insulation are not acceptable as they don’t work well with crampons, or in very cold or wet weather. | Scarpa Inverno |
| [ ] Gaiters: A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampons on loose clothing. | Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles |
| [ ] Heavyweight Socks: Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction. | Smartwool Mountaineer |
| [ ] Sunscreen |
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GENERAL POLICIES
NEMs Adventure itineraries are subject to change or be adjusted based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, terrain, group dynamics and many other factors. NEM has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including the discretion to change program schedule or itinerary, and change guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather or route conditions. In such a case, an NEM credit for the full value is given; however, NEM cannot be responsible for any additional expenses incurred in preparing for the program (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations). NEM reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a trip at any time if NEM determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program. This includes being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Northeast Mountaineering cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit or complete the objective you have signed up for. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities or the abilities of others may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire party will have to turn around without reaching the summit. Your program fee entitles you to one mountain experience on your specified dates.MINIMUM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Most of our programs do not have a minimum enrollment. If you are the only one registered, it will likely become a private outing. For our Waterfall Rappelling adventure, we must have at least 50% enrollment (3 people) to run the adventure. In the event of low-enrollment, we will reschedule your adventure to another date. If another date cannot be accommodated, you will receive an NEM credit.RISK MANAGEMENT
Safety is NEM’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in the mountains but they cannot eliminate them. NEM guides draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sound decisions that maximize your experience without compromising the necessary margin of safety. Please clearly understand that mountaineering and all other mountain adventures are inherently hazardous sports. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risk and hazards of these sports, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in these activities.NEW ENGLAND ADVENTURES
Payment in full is due at the time of booking. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check.BEYOND NEW ENGLAND INCLUDING MOUNT RAINIER
A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES
A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.CANCELLATION FOR NEW ENGLAND PROGRAMS
Up to 30 days before your adventure: Full Refund will be issued 29 days - 72 hours before your adventure: Full Refund in the form of NEM credit Within 72 hours of your adventure: No refund will be issued* In the event that you have a positive COVID-19 test and need to cancel within 72 hours, you will be issued an NEM credit for your adventure.CANCELLATION FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & OUTSIDE OF NEW ENGLAND
Up to 90 days before your adventure: Full Refund will be issued 89 days - 30 days before your adventure: Participant will be responsible for paying 50% of the total balance. If the balance is paid in full, participant will receive a 50% refund in the form of NEM credit. Within 30 days of your adventure: No refund will be issued and participant will be responsible for paying the full balance.* *Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment. If NEM cancels your adventure due to weather or another unforeseen reason, you will receive an NEM credit.CHANGE OF DATE
Date changes are subject to availability. Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 7 days prior to your adventure without incurring a date change fee. Date changes may be requested between 7 and 3 days prior to your departure date for a $25 fee per person. There are no date changes allowed within 72 hours before your adventure.COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
In the event your guide or a fellow NEM guide or staff has reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 or they are otherwise feeling unwell they will attempt to get a COVID test in time for your adventure or course. In the event of a positive test or the absence of results, your course or adventure will be rescheduled or you can opt for an NEM credit to use at your discretion. Refunds for travel, lodging or other costs associated with your adventure will not be refunded or reimbursed.
We are proud to work with the Department of Agriculture, the White Mountain National Forest and the Androscoggin Ranger District where we are authorized outfitter guides.
