Overview

The Technical Ice Climbing Seminar (TICS) is designed for members who wish to extend their rock climbing skills to high angle ice found in mountain couloirs, frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and on expedition climbs.

The course focuses on technique, movement on ice, efficiency, safety, and ice protection. Most students wish to learn to lead climb on ice. This is usually an integral part of the course, but it is not mandatory.

The course does not cover crevasse rescue, winter survival training, construction of snow shelters or evacuation procedures for injured climbers. In the past, this course covered these topics, and some materials still retain this old language--please be aware that these topics are no longer covered.

The objectives of the course vary by student. Note that the course is a "Seminar" as opposed to a "School", which means that there is no graduation per se. Instead, each student identifies their own objectives and the instructors tailor the course to these objectives. Typical objectives include: improved technique, increased efficiency, placing good ice screws, and leading on ice.

Skills acquired from the Technical Ice Climbing Seminar help develop safe and competent ice climbers and leaders, and increase safety and technical competence on CMC semi-technical and technical mountaineering trips as well as on mountain expeditions.

Prerequisites for being admitted to the course are: (1) graduation from TLCS (or equivalent), and (2) comfortably leading 5.7 trad. Exceptions can be made in appropriate circumstances--please contact the TICS Director. Students are expected to use or rent their own equipment.

Contact Todd Felix, TICS Director, at: