Mountaineering School in New Hampshire

Hey there, so I want to get into mountaineering/Alpinism and I was told to first get Freedom of the hills and New Alpinism. Got them both, rereading them all the time then I was told to knock off a few of the highest peaks in Virginia every so many weeks. I am currently in the process of doing that, in the mean time I started the work out in New Alpinism. The school im thinking about choosing is the International Mountain Climbing School, the 3 day course.
ime-usa.com/imcs/
How does the class look to you guys?

If you are setting your sights on climbing glaciated peaks you would be much better off learning in Alaska, the Cascades, or Canadian Rockies on a real glacier. It will be more costly, but Alpinism ain't cheap.

Thanks for the reply Kevin, but yea eventually I'd like to move to climbing the Rockies and all the glaciated peaks in Colorado. For right now though, I want to get good at mountaineering first then move over into in Alpinism.

Hey Sean,

There aren't really any glaciated peaks in CO but IME/IMCS is hosting an Ice Festival in North Conway this weekend. I'm not sure if any of the clinics still have openings but it's a good time. Lots of mountain stoke with the evening presentations and couple hundred climbers who swarm into the valley.

Is there a reason you chose NH for your mountaineering course? If you are in VA, will you be flying to get up there? You might be better off spending just a little more to fly out west for your 3-day course then doing some exploring in NH after you have picked up a little confidence and a few skills.

Where in VA are you? Have you looked at joining PATC-MS? I have taken a few courses and honestly I think you will be able to learn most of that 3-day curriculum by joining PATC-MS and/or just networking with local climbers who can pass along some basic knowledge. I'm also in the mid-atlantic so shoot me a PM if you would like.

Sean, that is likely a great course for you to get started in. Though NH's mountains are not as grand as the ones out west, IMCS is ranked high on the "best climbing schools" list.

Sean,

If you can't afford to fly out to the Cascades or Alaska, that course will be fine for an introduction to mountaineering and snow travel. I haven't heard of that company and their website doesn't have an "About Us" page, but it would be best if you had AMGA certified guides (you can ask them).

Enjoy!

I think it would be an awesome course. IMCS is great. Get up here soon while it's still cold. You'll learn the basics, and a bunch of little tricks on how to be safe and comfortable on steep snow, moderate ice, and in the cold.

NH above treeline, especially Mt Washington, is a great place to learn all but glacier travel. We went up there a bunch to get ready for Denali, and we were far better prepared (in my opinion) than those who had most of their experience in the more benign Cascades and U.S. Rockies (although things can get harsh there too)

A primary benefit of NH is the access.

Mark Ra wrote:Hey Sean, There aren't really any glaciated peaks in CO but IME/IMCS is hosting an Ice Festival in North Conway this weekend. I'm not sure if any of the clinics still have openings but it's a good time. Lots of mountain stoke with the evening presentations and couple hundred climbers who swarm into the valley. Is there a reason you chose NH for your mountaineering course? If you are in VA, will you be flying to get up there? You might be better off spending just a little more to fly out west for your 3-day course then doing some exploring in NH after you have picked up a little confidence and a few skills. Where in VA are you? Have you looked at joining PATC-MS? I have taken a few courses and honestly I think you will be able to learn most of that 3-day curriculum by joining PATC-MS and/or just networking with local climbers who can pass along some basic knowledge. I'm also in the mid-atlantic so shoot me a PM if you would like.

Mark Ra, yea I saw that they were doing ice fest, if I'd known about it a month ago I would've taken advantage of that. I choose NH because I am in VA, coastal VA to be exact haha. Just mounds of sand and lots of water. I'll be taking a train up there and a train back. I didn't know about the Potomac mountaineering club, I'll have to look into joining it. Last week I was supposed to go up to old rag but sadly my truck broke down. Once it's back on the road I'll visits you guys up in Vienna. Thanks for the help, I'll be sure to PM you if I have any questions.

FrankPS, JohnnyG, and Z.St.Jules thanks for the input, I'm planning on using this to get into it. Then if I want more I'll go out west and up north.

Good crew at IME... inever took a course with them, but I have known the crew for many years..very competent.

There are also some independent guides in the area who are outstanding..Kurt Winkler, Alain Comeau and others..

Mt washington in winter will get you ready for almost any situation you might face

Sean,

I live in Damascus, VA and have some similar interests. We should do some climbing soon. Email me at andrewjacobblease@gmail.com

Thanks for the reply john strand, I've been checking reddit and some guys posted an awesome photo of the summjt recently. Stoked to go up there.

Hey Andrew, yea man im game. I'm looking at picking up a pack from Cold, cold world.

Eastern mountain sports also does a good job in my experience. Climbing Mt. washington in the winter is a serious endeavor and you will more often than not face interesting weather.

IME/IMCS is a great school and run by Rick Wilcox, former director of the EMS school and a very accomplished mountaineer in his own right. Can't go wrong them, they are legends in the NE.

If you wanted to go the independent route, look up Marc Chauvin. He is both AMGA and IFMGA certified and is a great guy to work with.

Great idea to get the CCW pack, nothing compares in my opinion.

chocodove wrote:IME/IMCS is a great school and run by Rick Wilcox, former director of the EMS school and a very accomplished mountaineer in his own right. Can't go wrong them, they are legends in the NE. If you wanted to go the independent route, look up Marc Chauvin. He is both AMGA and IFMGA certified and is a great guy to work with. Great idea to get the CCW pack, nothing compares in my opinion.

I will second the suggestion to consider Marc Chauvin. I worked with him on self-rescue and on basic trad techniques when I first started out. You will not find anyone who has put more thought into working out the best systems, and the most practical and secure methodologies.

GO

NOLS Northern Cascades Mountaineering... was a great course for me 15 yrs ago.

Look up Mark Synnott if you want to learn from the best.

If you have the money, Marc Chauvin is a phenomenal local with an amazing resume. Doubtful he has much availability left for the season but he would be someone I would contact. Mark Synnott is another great choice for locals. IME has a great crew as well.

chauvinguides.com/

Marc Chauvin looks awesome, i'll be doing it at the end of this year after the fall semester ends. I'll be making the final decision on where to go for the course by the summer.

JohnnyG wrote:I think it would be an awesome course. IMCS is great. Get up here soon while it's still cold. You'll learn the basics, and a bunch of little tricks on how to be safe and comfortable on steep snow, moderate ice, and in the cold. NH above treeline, especially Mt Washington, is a great place to learn all but glacier travel. We went up there a bunch to get ready for Denali, and we were far better prepared (in my opinion) than those who had most of their experience in the more benign Cascades and U.S. Rockies (although things can get harsh there too) A primary benefit of NH is the access.

I'd still take experience climbing in the Cascades over NH any day. Not sure how the Cascades or Rockies is more "benign" compared to one tiny peak on the east coast.