Advanced Ice Climbing

You need to be competent at lead climbing (sport or trad) and have at least 2-days experience of ice climbing. You'll already know how to lead belay, clip bolts and the basics of swinging an ice axe.

If you're not quite there yet, why not check out our other two trips:

• Beginners Ice Climbing - for total beginners, with no experience required.
• Ice Climbing Improver - for those who have either some top-rope climbing experience, or who have tried ice climbing (e.g. on our beginners course). This one is also great if you are more experienced, but don't want to progress to lead climbing.

The minimum age for all our courses is 18.

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). Snow shoes are also provided free of charge if needed for the walk-ins.

Yes - please make sure you have travel insurance which includes ice climbing. Popular providers include the BMC and Snowcard.

The local supermarket has a broad selection, with equivalent prices to a higher end supermarket in the UK (e.g. Waitrose).

A moderate level of fitness is required.

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 the event on our Facebook page.

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).

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!

You will stay in the Rjukan Old School Hostel. You can find them on Facebook and book extra nights.

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.

Temperatures can range from - 10 to - 25 degrees Celcius. You should come prepared and ensure that you have lots of warm layers.

You stay in the Old School Hostel .

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.

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.

Weather conditions in Rjukan can get very cold in the winter months, with temperatures dropping as low as -25 Celsius. Travellers need to be prepared for these weather conditions. For more information please read the kit list provided.

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)

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

Rjukan Old School Hostel, Knut Dahlesvei 31, 3660 Rjukan, Norway 

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rjukanoldschoolhostel/