Learn to Lead

Rock anchors and protection course. Unlock the Freedom to Explore. Are you an experienced gym climber who has began or wants to make the transition outdoors? The natural progression is sport climbing as it requires similar technique and is an affordable first step. The thrill of cragging with friends has you hooked but you are restricted by the boundaries of the bolts. The next transition is a step back in time to traditional [trad] climbing. Challenge yourself and open the door to exploration without restrictions by mastering techniques, placing your own protection and building your own anchors. Expand your horizons and explore outdoor climbing with this course!

CLIMB DETAILS

Length: 8 Hours
Guide-to-Client Ratio: 1:4
Difficulty: You Choose!
When: May - November
Type: Rock Climbing
Type: Mostly Educational

Pricing

1 person: $375 per person
2 people: $300 per person
3 people: $275 per person
4 people: $250 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

We climb 7 days per week in season.

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rockmulti

Add A Day of Rock Climbing

Once you understand the fundamentals of rock protection, put it to use with a day of mock leading.

Convenient, Affordable lodging available at The Bunkhouse at Northeast Mountaineering. Spend the night for just $45 per person!

CLIMB DETAILS

Length: 2 Days
1 Person: $700
2 People: $550

Gear List For Ice Climbing

Our goal is to make your mountain adventure as memorable and comfortable as possible. To do this, you must be properly prepared. We provide all of the technical gear that you will need for an awesome adventure. However, we ask that you please bring your own clothing - including but not limited to: a base layer for top and bottom, climbing or snow pants, some insulating layers and jackets, socks and warm gloves or mittens. When selecting clothing for your adventure, choose synthetic materials, wool, or fleece as cotton will absorb sweat and freeze - increasing the chances of hypothermia.

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 Tools: A pair of ice tools designed for technical climbing. Camp X All-Mountain
[  ] 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
[  ] Medium Weight Glove: Wind/water resistant insulated mountain gloves. Camp G Tech Dry
[  ] Mountaineering Boots: Insulated plastic boots are the preferred choice. 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. 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

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.  

Please read through the following frequently asked questions and answers. These will help you prepare for your trip and get a better understanding of what to expect. Thanks!

What time does the program begin?

We will meet at 8AM at our bunkhouse in Bartlett, NH unless otherwise stated. We will take 30 minutes to outfit you with any rental gear you need and head out to the cliffs.

What gear is needed for Ice Climbing?

The mandatory items include mountaineering boots, crampons, ice tools, harness, helmet, backpack, food, water, and proper clothing. The gear rental package costs $79 and includes crampons, ice tools, harness, gaiters and helmet.

Will hiking or winter boots work?

Unfortunately no. You will need proper mountaineering boots for ice climbing.

How long do we climb for?

We usually arrive at the cliff between 9AM and 9:30AM. We will arrive back at the bunkhouse around 3PM depending on what climb we do.

What should I wear?

Please come dressed in appropriate clothing. Layering is the best practice in the outdoors as it allows you to manage your body temperature. You can check out our “Equipment List” for more info. Be sure to have an extra warm jacket for when you are belaying.

Is it safe?

Ice climbing can be very safe when conducted properly, especially top-roping. Our guides are trained to mitigate the dangers of falling ice and other inherent hazards.

How difficult is it to ice climb?

The difficulty of the climb can be varied depending on your experience level and goals for the day.

How many people are in a group?

We offer a maximum ratio of 6 clients per guide for top-rope climbing and a maximum of 2 clients per guide for multi-pitch climbs.

Are there age restrictions?

As long as you are approved for vigorous activity and/or you have a parent/guardian signature and you fit into the harness and mountaineering boots, you are welcome to join us!

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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* 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.