Two Day Mountaineering Skills Course

This course is intense and jam-packed with knowledge and skill development for those looking to dive into the world of mountaineering. Over two days we will cover self arrest, crampon technique, rappelling, belaying, anchors and so much more! If you have your sights set on bigger peaks or you are looking to take the first step into more serious terrain, this course is for you.

 What To Know

CLIMB DETAILS

Length: 2 Days
Guide-to-Client Ratio: 1:3
Difficulty: Strenuous
When: December - April
Type: Course
Type: Mostly Educational

PRICING

1 person: $600 per person
2 people: $500 per person
3 people: $450 per person
4 people: $400 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.

7 DAYS PER WEEK

For your convenience, we climb 7 days per week in season.

Book Online Now

Hands-On Demonstration & Practice

Due to the intense nature of this course and the amount of information to cover, we may do some minor climbing throughout the course. Time restraints will most likely prevent us from climbing any mountains. Emphasis will be on hands-on experience. Participants should be in reasonable physical condition. No experience is required.

DAY ONE

  • Winter gear selection and overview
  • Self Arrest
  • Crampon Technique
  • Foot placements without crampons
  • Efficient Packing
  • Hydration and Nutrition for mountaineering
  • Self care in cold climates
  • Basic Knots for mountaineering

DAY TWO

  • Belaying
  • Rappelling
  • Anchor construction
  • Running belays
  • Rope management

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

  • Crevasse Rescue
  • Snow Cave Construction

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
Book Online Now

Hydration & Nutrition

For your adventure you will need one lunch and several snacks for each day. Staying hydrated and well-fed is important.

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.  

Our goal is to make your mountain experience as memorable and comfortable as possible. To do this, you must be properly prepared.  When selecting clothing for your adventure, choose synthetic materials, wool, or fleece as cotton will absorb sweat and freeze. We rent nearly everything you will need, however we do not rent some key pieces of clothing. Please cross-reference the gear list below with the gear that you own and then rent what you need from our rental shop.

Mandatory Items
[  ] Pack with Waist Strap: A 40L pack is the recommended size for 1-2 day courses. Your pack MUST have a waist strap. A urban backpack will not suffice.
[  ] Crampons: 12 point semi or fully automatic crampons designed for mountaineering.
[  ] Ice Axe: An ice axe designed for general mountaineering. 60cm-65cm will fit most climbers.
[  ] Climbing Harness: UIAA certified climbing harness.
[  ] Helmet: UIAA certified climbing helmet.
[  ] Kahtoola Microspikes: Should have durable chain and spikes underfoot. No studs please.
[  ] Trekking Poles: Extendable hiking poles. Not mandatory but useful.
[  ] Warm Hat: Wool or synthetic. It should be warm and thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.
[  ] Neck Gaiter/Buff: Optional but recommended.
[  ] Sun Hat: Optional. A lightweight ball cap.
[  ] Sun Glasses: A pair of dark-lensed, polarized sunglasses.
[  ] Lightweight glove: Synthetic, lightweight and thin.
[  ] Medium Weight Glove: Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves. Synthetic or leather.
[  ] Heavy Mittens: Wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. Synthetic or leather.
[  ] Base Layer Top and Bottom: Long-sleeve wool or synthetic will be used as your base layer.
[  ] Light Insulating Jacket: Long sleeved, light puffy layer. Down or synthetic insulation.
[  ] Hard Shell Jacket with Hood: Wind/rain Proof. Gore-Tex recommended.
[  ] 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, when standing still while learning a new skill and as an emergency layer if needed. When sizing a parka, allow for several layers to be worn underneath; buy it large. The parka must have an insulated hood.
[  ] Climbing Pants: Non-insulated or only lightly insulated. No ski resort snow pants please.
[  ] Hard Shell Pants: Waterproof and windproof. non-insulated. Full side zips are highly recommended. No ski resort snow pants please.
[  ] Mountaineering Boots: Double leather boots or insulated single boots are okay. Must have the ability to attach semi-automatic crampons (must have a heel welt for crampons). Lightweight hiking boots without insulation are not acceptable as they are not compatible with crampons and will not keep your feet warm enough.
[  ] 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.
[  ] Heavyweight Socks: Either wool or synthetic. Some people find liner socks useful for reducing friction.
[  ] Sunscreen
 

 Book Online Now

 

Searching Availability...

General Policies

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*

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 $50 change fee. There are no date changes allowed within 72 hours before your adventure.

OUTSTANDING BALANCES

NEM requires payment in full within 2 weeks of your program. If you have an outstanding balance inside of this time-frame, the reservation will be marked as an NEM credit and the date will be released.