Ice Climbing in the High Tatras
Available dates:
January 30 - February 3
February 13 - February 17
February 27 - March 3
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The High Tatras ice climbing program offers five days of intensive practice on natural icefalls, where you will master ice movement techniques, the use of specialized gear, and the fundamentals of safely climbing ice routes. The course is suitable for both beginners and climbers with basic experience who wish to gain confidence on vertical ice and refine their skills.
Upon completion of the program, participants will be able to:
- move confidently across vertical ice;
- use ice tools and crampons correctly;
- establish safe ice stations;
- set up ice storms;
- perform a rappel;
- to work in tandem;
- assess ice conditions and make safe decisions in the mountains.
Accommodation in comfortable apartments in the mountains.
This program is a great way to prepare for climbing in the Alps, for example: Mont Blanc and Matterhorn. In addition, after the trip you will gain skills that will be useful in the high mountains of the Caucasus, Nepal, etc.
Itinerary for the “Ice Climbing in the High Tatras” program:
Tatranska Lomnica – Great Cold Valley – Izverčitel camp – Skalna Pleso station – Poprad
Your guides at the “Ice Climbing in the High Tatras” mountaineering school
Route of the program “Ice climbing in the High Tatras” by days
day
Arrival and check-in. Upon arrival, we meet the participants, check personal gear, and discuss the training program.
Theoretical and practical sessions:
• introduction to ice climbing equipment;
• selection and proper adjustment of crampons and ice tools;
• review of essential mountaineering knots;
• belaying techniques;
• rope handling;
• ice climbing safety fundamentals;
• route planning and assessment of ice conditions.
Goal for the day: to refresh basic skills and prepare for practical sessions on the ice.
day
First full day of practice on natural ice.
Session topics:
• proper ice tool technique;
• movement techniques on vertical ice;
• ice traversing;
• energy conservation while climbing;
• setting up top-rope and intermediate anchors;
• placing ice screws;
• rappelling;
• belaying practice.
Goal of the day: to develop proper technique and gain confidence on the ice.
day
Moving on to longer and more interesting routes.
Practice:
• climbing ice routes of varying difficulty;
• setting up belay stations in real-world conditions;
• lead climbing (based on skill level);
• lead and second climber roles;
• refining climbing technique;
• terrain analysis and route selection.
Goal for the day: consolidate skills for multi-pitch ice climbing.
day
Depending on weather and ice conditions, one of the following areas is selected:
• the icefall near Zeleny Ples;
• the “Skok” icefall;
• the “Sopel” icefall;
• the “Orolinov” icefall.
Practice:
• completing a full route;
• setting up anchors independently under guide supervision;
• teamwork;
• making tactical decisions;
• practicing all skills acquired during the course.
Goal of the day: to make the training as close as possible to a real ice climbing ascent.
day
The final day is dedicated to consolidating the material.
Program:
• completing the route with minimal instructor guidance;
• practicing weaker elements;
• Q&A session;
• recommendations for further training;
• course wrap-up;
• presentation of certificates (if applicable).
Departure of participants.
Note:
The program is not final and may be adjusted depending on the weather, the condition of the participants and other factors.
Why is it profitable to go hiking with Extremeguide?
Cost and conditions of the program “Ice Climbing in the High Tatras”
Is this trip right for you?
To participate in the program, you must have experience with hiking or mountaineering. This program is a great way to prepare for climbing in the Alps, for example: Mont Blanc and Matterhorn. In addition, after the trip you will gain skills that will be useful in the high mountains of the Caucasus, Nepal, etc.
The price includes:
- services of a guide-instructor (group of up to 6 people);
- additional guide for the ascent;
- accommodation in comfortable apartments;
- rental of shared equipment: ropes, friends (cams), slings, carabiners;
- local transfers and lift passes;
- registration with the rescue service;
- expedition first aid kit;
- participation certificate.
Not included in the price:
- round-trip travel to Lomnica;
- meals: you can cook for yourself in the apartments, or there are several cafes nearby; if cooking for yourself, budget an average of €20 per day;
- rental of mountaineering gear set (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe): €60 per set;
- accident and medical insurance;
- rental of personal gear (backpack, trekking poles);
- guide’s tips;
- miscellaneous expenses.
Cost depending on the number of participants
| Number of participants | Cost per 1 participant |
|---|---|
| 6 | 900 EUR |
| 5 | 950 EUR |
| 4 | 1000 EUR |
| 3 | 1000 EUR |
| 2 | 1200 EUR |
Best price guarantee!
- We have included in the price all possible basic expenses for the program and guarantee that there are no hidden additional costs, while we have retained the best service at a low price: transfers, hotel accommodation, guides and staff!
We have a flexible discount system
Find out the details right now:
Necessary equipment
Basics:
- Assault backpack (for mountaineering 20-30 l) (More about choosing a backpack)
Shoes and clothing:
- Mountaineering boots (It is important that shoes are comfortable and worn in. Usually shoes are chosen with a thick toe and 1.5-2 sizes larger than the foot size) (More about choosing clothes and boots);
- Gaiters (shoe covers) for climbing boots;
- Down jacket or warm jacket;
- Rain cape (in case your main clothes get wet);
- Warm hat;
- Balaclava;
- Membrane walking pants;
- Membrane walking jacket;
- Thermal underwear set;
- Thin fleece (under a walking jacket);
- Warm sweater (polar, fleece);
- Socks 3 pairs (thermal socks or other thick ones);
- Overnight socks (preferably wool or down);
- Fleece gloves;
- Gloves or mittens (down, ski, the main thing is that they are with wind protection);
- Warm spare gloves;
- T-shirt;
- Change underclothing.
Additionally:
- A cover for a backpack (or large plastic bags for packing things);
- Headlamp + spare set of batteries;
- Hygiene items (a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste, a bar of soap and a little shampoo will be enough; do not take full bottles of shower gel and shampoo, heaps of creams and lotions with you);
- Documents;
- Individual first aid kit (plaster, cold, stomach, head. You also need to take into account specific and chronic diseases, if any. In addition to the individual first aid kit, the instructor has a general);
- Mountaineering goggles;
- Ski mask (goggles are also possible);
- lip balm chapstick;
- Water bottle ( 1-2 l.);
- Thermos (1 l) (*in cold season);
- Thermal blanket (isofolia);
- Chemical heating pads (*in cold seasons);
- Work gloves;
- Trekking poles.
Climbing equipment:
- ice ax;
- helmet;
- harness;
- Self-belaying lanyard – 2 pcs;
- Prussk loop – 1,5 m, 6 mm;
- carbines – 4 pcs;
- descender;
- crampons;
- snowshoes (the necessity and possibility of renting should be clarified in advance).
- Camera;
- Seat pad.
Additional Information
To participate in the camp you need insurance that covers mountaineering.
- Valid international passport.
The group will meet at the Tatranská Lomnica railway station at 14:00.
The trip concludes (return) by 15:00 on the final day at the Poprad railway station.
The program is intensive, and requires maximum concentration and attention, as well as a willingness to learn new things.
Since the school takes place in the mountains, you must be mentally and physically prepared for low temperatures and sudden changes in weather. In addition, you must be physically prepared for intense outdoor training and mountain climbing.
Read more about training and preparation here.
Accommodation in apartments in the village of Tatranská Lomnica. Amenities include a hot shower, toilet, kitchen, washing machine, and internet access. The rooms are heated.
We are purchasing a centralized food supply.
We will prepare our own breakfasts; for lunch, we plan to have a snack (tea and sandwiches); in the evening, we will either cook for ourselves or eat out.
You are welcome to bring along extra snacks and energy bars.
The program is potentially dangerous to your health and life. Since you will be in the winter mountains, there are risks of frostbite and hypothermia due to sudden changes in weather. In addition, you work at height. You must follow the recommendations and instructions of the guide throughout the program. If a participant does not follow the instructions of the guide and violates discipline, the guide may terminate the participation of such participants without compensation.
There is mobile communication in the mountains. In the apartments also has wifi.
The table shows the basic cost for a group and may change depending on the number of people in the group. For the calculation of the cost of the tour for a smaller number of people and individual groups, see the «Price» block for more details.
We guarantee that on the dates indicated in the table, even if there is a minimum number of people allowed in the group, the tour will take place 100% with a minimum change in cost.
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