Minnesota Climbers Association – Sandstone Ice Festival Ice Climbing Clinics
All Sandstone Ice Festival Ice Climbing Clinics will be held on Saturday, January 5
Climbing experience required: Participants must have some previous rock climbing experience including the ability to tie a retraced figure-8 knot and belay.
Equipment is not provided: Participants must come prepared with a climbing harness, climbing helmet, and crampon compatible ice climbing boots. Climbers who show up without the required equipment may not be able to participate in the clinic. Technical Ice Tools will be provided for use during the clinics. Information about climbing equipment rental is included in the Confirmation Email.
Note on clinic costs: Money raised from the Ice Climbing Clinics at the Sandstone Ice Fest go directly to the Minnesota Climbers Association to help fund a variety of projects and initiatives including maintenance and expansion of the Ice Park. Thank you for your support!
Saturday, January 5
10 am to 1 pm
Ice Climbing Basics Session 1
$50 14 participants
Ice Climbing Basics Session 2
$50 14 participants
Clinic Description: If you are brand new to ice climbing or simply looking to freshen your basic skills, this clinic is for you.
Clinic will cover: Safety, equipment, swinging tools, crampon work, basic movement progression, and resting techniques.
Women’s Ice Climbing
$50 14 participants
Clinic Description: Join an inclusive group of motivated climbers to try out ice climbing or hone your technique. This clinic is open to anyone who identifies as a woman or gender non-forming people.
Clinic will cover: Safety, equipment, swinging tools, crampon work, basic movement progression, and resting techniques.
Advanced Ice Climbing
$75 8 participants
Clinic Description: Join local climber James Loveridge for a morning devoted to taking your climbing to the next level.
Clinic participants must have significant previous ice climbing experience.A full season (60 hours) on the ice is recommended. If you cannot confidently climb all of the ice flows at Robinson Park without falling, please gain more experience before signing up for this clinic.
Advanced Ice is designed for experienced ice climbers looking to begin leading ice climbs and learn techniques for technical ice structures, improving efficiency, finding rest positions, placing ice screws, and building ice climbing anchors. Mixed climbing techniques will also be introduced. A small class size will maximize opportunities for learning and practice including mock leading.
Saturday, January 5
1:30 to 4:30 pm
Ice Climbing Basics Session 3
$50 14 participants
Ice Climbing Basics Session 4
$50 14 participants
Clinic Description: If you are brand new to ice climbing or simply looking to freshen your basic skills, this clinic is for you.
Clinic will cover: Safety, equipment, swinging tools, crampon work, basic movement progression, and resting techniques.
Intermediate Ice Climbing
$60 10 participants
Clinic Description: Clinic participants must have previous ice climbing experience. All participants must be proficient in swinging ice tools, crampon technique, and the fundamentals of ice climbing movement. If you can comfortably climb most of the lines at Sandstone, you are ready for this clinic. If not, it’s best to refresh your skills in the Basics Clinic.
For those looking to take the next step in their ice climbing, this clinic will cover essential techniques to improve efficiency, climb harder, and have more fun this winter! The clinic will also introduce basic mixed climbing concepts.
Topics Covered – Efficient climbing progression, bulges and technical ice features, resting techniques, ice screw placement/ice anchors, and mixed climbing tool use and crampon work.