Norway
The course is for people with rock climbing experience, or basic ice climbing experience.
Most people fly to Oslo Airport and then car share for the three-hour drive to Rjukan. When you sign up, we put you in touch with other participants through the Facebook event so that you can arrange this. You will meet at the hostel at around 8pm for introductions and to collect any equipment you may need from the gear store.
Day 2 focuses on technique and balance, including crampon technique and mastering your ice axe swing. You'll also have the opportunity to learn more advance techniques for steep ice, if you want. We typically do this in the Gaustatoppen single-pitch crag (around 20m tall).
On day 3 you’ll learn how to judge ice quality, setup anchors and place ice screws. You will do this at a great single pitch crag like Presenil, with plenty of climbing to put these skills into practice!
Today you’ll climb in the atmospheric Vemork area. Putting your skills to good practice, you’ll be scaling icefalls up to 50m high. Don't worry though – there are climbs for all levels, ranging from Wi3 (moderate) to Wi5+ (hard).
On day 5, you’ll climb a long alpine-style route such as Fabrikkfossen – an epic 7-pitch route with great views over the valley. The choices are almost endless however, so your instructor will pick routes based on the group and make sure everyone is appropriately challenged for the last day.
Sun 5 Feb 7:00PM Thu 9 Feb 3:00PM | £875 | Fully booked |
Sun 19 Feb 7:00PM Thu 23 Feb 3:00PM | £875 | Fully booked |
Mon 6 Mar 7:00PM Fri 10 Mar 3:00PM | £875 Based on £875 GBP | Book Just 1 space |
Sun 12 Mar 7:00PM Thu 16 Mar 3:00PM | £875 | Fully booked |
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Traveled Jan 2022
Traveled Jan 2020
Traveled Jan 2020
This course is designed for people who have either:
If you're more advanced than this (e.g. you lead climbing on rock and have some experience ice climbing), you may want to consider the Advanced Ice Climbing course instead.
Documents
• Passport
• European Health Insurance Card (if appropriate)
• Travel insurance details
• Boarding passes for flights
• Wallet
• Driver’s license & rental car details (if needed)
Clothing
Please make sure all clothing is not cotton – cotton clothing is great for the summer but loses heat very quickly in the winter.
• 4 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
• Fleece/soft-shell jacket
• ‘Booster layer’ e.g. second fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket for warmth, if possible (from e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment)
• Spare clothes for evenings
• Underwear
• Base-layer trousers (optional)
• Soft-shell trousers or other warm trousers
• Waterproof trousers
• Swimwear for the sauna
• 4 thick wool mountaineering socks
• 2 pairs of waterproof/snowproof gloves or mitts
• Winter mountaineering boots that fit crampons (these can be rented directly from the hostel if not owned. The cost of rental is 250NOK for the whole course.)
Other
• Small rucksack
• Water bottle/thermos
• Sunglasses
• Glasses/contact lenses (if needed)
• Sleeping bag liner for the hostel (you can rent sheets if not owned)
• Bathroom items including towel
• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger
• Lipsil
• Book/mp3 player for flights
Climbing Equipment (optional)
If you own any of the following, you may bring them along as well (otherwise they will be provided free of charge):
• Harness
• Helmet
• Ice axes
• Crampons
• Ice screws
• Ice clippers
• 4 screwgates
• 2 prussik loops
• Belay device
It includes accommodation, guides and all technical equipment. It excludes travel, food, appropriate clothing and winter mountaineering boots (these can be rented from the hostel if needed).
A moderate level of fitness is required. Some rock or ice climbing experience is also needed - this course is a perfect progression from the Beginners trip, but you can also join directly if you have rock climbing experience.
All specialist equipment is provided. You must bring with you: Appropriate clothing (similar to ski wear) including waterproof trousers and tops. At least 2 pairs of gloves/mitts and winter mountaineering boots (you can also rent these from the hostel). Snow shoes are also provided free of charge if needed for the walk-ins.
The local supermarket has a broad selection, with equivalent prices to a higher-end supermarket in the UK (e.g. Waitrose).
Temperatures can range from - 10 to - 25 degrees Celcius. You should come prepared and ensure that you have lots of warm layers.
If flying, go to Oslo Gardermoen - usually most affordable with Ryan Air/Norwegian Air. Course participants typically rent a car together for the 3h drive to Rjukan. When you sign up, we recommend you also join the Facebook event to arrange this. You can find this on our Facebook page.
The courses are based out of Rjukan (3 hours from Oslo), a valley interspersed with over 200 frozen waterfalls. Over the week you will cover the essential skills in a variety of single-pitch and multi-pitch crags (20m-400m), all within a few minutes' walk of the road.
You will stay in the Rjukan Old School Hostel. You can find them on Facebook and book extra nights.
The hostel is a small and friendly hostel with basic dormitory-style accommodation. It has comfortable beds, good cooking facilities and pans, warm showers, a sauna, Wi-Fi and a drying room for gear. Bed linen is included. There is no reception desk – just come inside and ask for the owner Jakob, who is also your head guide.
Absolutely yes - most people book alone. It can feel a bit intimidating, but you will do introductions when you arrive, and you’ll get to know the others in no time!
The minimum age for all our courses is 18.
You will start the course off, with a briefing at the hostel around 8 pm on day 1 of the itinerary. On the final day, you should be finished by 4 pm.
Yes - please make sure you have travel insurance which includes ice climbing. Popular providers include the BMC and Snowcard.
If you arrive during the day, it is likely that everyone will be out skiing or climbing. Feel free to put your feet up and make yourself a coffee before the guides come back. In the evening your guide will introduce you to the rest of the group and start your course briefing.
Yes, no problem - just let us know when you complete your registration form.
Rjukan Old School Hostel, Knut Dahlesvei 31, 3660 Rjukan, Norway
Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rjukanoldschoolhostel/
1 guide to 6 clients (1:6) on the first 2 days then 1:2 on day 3 and 4.
The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (KR). There is 1 ATM machine in Rjukan, but it’s worth getting money before you arrive.
All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Dale Skole, based in Rjukan.
By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!