Preparing for the summer mountains
NB: The group is full! If you wish, you can register yourself on the waiting list!
Would you like to go climbing in the mountains this summer, but lack the skills? Or have you already forgotten your old skills, your crampons are rusty and your pickaxes are blunt? Now is a good opportunity to get your crampons on and learn the ABCs of ice climbing on an ice wall in Estonia, before heading to distant and high mountains. Over the course of two days, we will teach, guide, introduce equipment, drill ice drills, practice climbing, descending, and even rescue work. You can try everything yourself!
We definitely recommend participating in the ice climbing camp for those who have planned to do so next summer. Elamus+ participate in mountain trips. In addition to practical ice climbing, we also recommend listening to and watching the mountaineering lecture series.
There's no point in going to the mountains just to have fun!
A two-day intensive program - training & fun hand in hand!
The ice climbing camp will be held over the weekend as a two-day event, so it would be cost-effective for those coming from further afield to make the journey to Tallinn. It is recommended to participate on both days (there will be plenty of activities!), but if your wife doesn't want to be away from home for that long, we also accept one-day participants.
Climbing enthusiasts who are completely new to the sport can participate - even those who have never seen cats or pickaxes before, even from a distance (cats aren't the ones that meow, after all). But those who have already been on snow and ice in the mountains here and there but want to brush up on their rusty skills can also participate. There is Elamus+ 3-4 instructors are provided by us, so we can divide the participants into groups according to their skills and find the right pace and level for everyone.
On Saturday, we'll start with beginners from the very beginning, or the ABC of Ice Climbing, and we'll take on Ice Climbing A. We'll introduce crampons, ropes, and picks, and take our first vertical steps on the ice slope. And from there, as the participants' wishes and skills allow. And of course, lots of practice - crampons on right at the start and out all the way! Among other things, the repertoire includes:
Introduction to climbing equipment - what equipment is needed in the mountains, how to choose it, what to do with a pick, crampons, and ice auger
Knot workshop - how to attach yourself to a rope, tie ropes together and be safe
Ropeway movement on the glacier
Climbing an ice wall with top protection using two picks
Principles of self-safety and securing a companion when climbing
Descending on a support rope with a descender and ascending with a grab
On Sunday we'll turn up the heat a little:
We repeat what we learned the previous day and add nuances to it.
What to do if you lose a pickaxe or grapple or rappel device
Making stations from ice cages, Abalakov tunnel as a descent station
Climbing on an ice slope in Seongus
More advanced climbers can try climbing with bottom protection.
Pulling out a rope companion who fell into an ice crevasse on a glacier
In addition, we will set up a speed climbing competition course on Sunday, where all participants will be able to demonstrate the skills they have learned over the past few days and compare themselves with others. Prizes will be awarded, of course!
We have a relatively free-form event, the goal is not only training and drill and exercise, but also FUN! And you can definitely climb the ice wall uncontrollably on both days! There will be a bonfire burning all the time, where you can warm yourself up and refresh yourself, in addition, hot pots and hot tea are also available! Lunch breaks are also taken care of, all participants are waiting for a local freeze-dried hiking food producer MEKI Convenient camping food packs - easy to prepare, add water and you're done!
Those staying for two days must arrange their own accommodation. We recommend that you bring your own tent and sleeping bag and stay overnight on the beach right near the climbing site. A beautiful place with natural beauty!
At the same time, it's a good opportunity to test your camping equipment in controlled winter conditions - then there will be fewer unpleasant surprises in the mountains! If you wish, overnight guests can also take MEKI food packages with them for the evening and morning, so there's no need to worry about food (plus, you have the opportunity to discover the restaurants of nearby Tabasalu instead).
Where and when to come?
The ice climbing camp will take place on February 20-21, 2021, i.e. Saturday-Sunday.
⏰ On Saturday we will start at lunchtime, i.e. at 12 o'clock - then people from Tartu, Valga and Ruhnu will arrive nicely. There will be plenty of activity until the evening, only around 17 o'clock we will start packing up for the day to start preparing for dinner before sunset.
⏲ On Sunday we start and finish two grams earlier so that the evening rides home are not too late. We set up the ropes no later than 11 am and then the action continues until 16 pm.
The ice climbing camp takes place on the North Estonian coast, on the Rannamõisa bank, right on the seashore. Less than half an hour's drive from Tallinn. Veins flow down from the bank and form ice waterfalls when they freeze. This is a suitable place for beginner ice climbers to practice climbing on an icy slope. Getting to and from Rannamõisa is up to each participant to organize, but we will try to coordinate between participants. More detailed instructions on where and how to get there will be sent directly to those who have registered for the ice climbing camp.
What equipment is needed?
When choosing equipment, it is worth considering the same equipment list that you would use when going uphill. See for example: Elamus+ 2021 Kazbek climbing trip equipment list FROM HERE - the same principles are also relevant in our ice climbing camp.
Back-to-back
The weather can be cold and windy by the sea, so you should dress warmly and windproof. Clothing should be layered, because it is warm when climbing, but cold when waiting - that way you can add or take off layers as you go. Wear warm underwear, fleece and a windproof jacket. During waiting breaks, it is a good idea to put on another extra layer, such as a down jacket or vest. Wear warm underwear and windproof shell pants. For footwear, hiking boots or other stiff winter boots are suitable so that the straps of the crampons can be pulled tightly around the foot. Bring regular work gloves or mittens and thicker extra gloves for waiting breaks.
Climbing equipment
Each participant should have their own climbing equipment - these items can also be borrowed from us if you indicate this when registering. This includes crampons, climbing harness, helmet, descender, two carabiners, walking axe (optional).
In addition, we use a large amount of common climbing equipment for the group - these are Elamus+ already organized on site by: Ropes, carabiners, ice augers, climbing picks, slings, rappels, rope pieces, expressways, grabs.
Food and drink
Each participant will have MEKI hiking food packs for lunch breaks, bring your own snacks. Water and tea are also available. Personal utensils should also be brought along. We usually eat packed food straight from the pack, so a bowl is not needed, but a spoon and mug or thermos should be available. And, well, a knife too, in case the rope is so stuck somewhere that it can't be untied any other way.
Camping equipment for those staying in a tent
The tent should be suitable for all four seasons and participants can ask for and offer tent sites. In addition, a mat and sleeping bag, which should be comfortable to sleep in even in sub-zero temperatures. Don't forget a headlamp! The daily group equipment includes priming pots and gas for use on site, and if desired, they can be left for the campers overnight.
Participants and participation fee
The maximum number of participants in the ice climbing camp is 20.
👉 If you come with your own climbing equipment (crams, climbing harness, helmet, abseil and safety equipment, carabiners):
45 eur / 1 day or 75 eur / 2 days
👉 If you come without climbing equipment and would like to rent it on site:
60 eur / 1 day or 90 eur / 2 days
The participation fee includes the entire training program and the surrounding fun:
🚩 Ice climbing until you faint!
🚩 On-site guidance, security and handholding by experienced Elamus+ by instructors
🚩 Group climbing equipment (ropes, ice augers, climbing picks, carabiners, express cables, etc.)
🚩 Preparation and installation of climbing routes
🚩 If you wish to rent, also all personal climbing equipment (crams, helmet, climbing harness, descent and safety equipment, carabiners)
🚩 Sunday speed climbing competition (with prizes!)
🚩 Catering, MEKI hiking food packages for both lunches and additional dinner and breakfast packages for overnight guests
🚩 Hot tea and drinking water are available at all times
🚩 A campfire is burning on site and the stoves and pots are working to prepare food
🚩 Organizing and preparing the entire event and listening to the concerns of participants
🚩 You'll hear good hints about what it's like up there in the mountains.
🚩 After the event, we will send all participants information material about the climbing program they completed so they can continue practicing at home.
🚩 Yes Last but not least: Diploma proving completion of the ice climbing camp!
Registration
NB: Places are full! You can only register on the waiting list!
To register, please fill out the form below - this will help us know how many people will be participating in the ice climbing event and what their previous experience is. To secure your place, you must pay the event participation fee within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail.
