Climber on skis drags full sled across flat glacier with steep Alaskan peaks in the background

Expedition Preparation and Climbing Skills

Climber on skis drags full sled across flat glacier with steep Alaskan peaks in the background

Expedition Preparation and Climbing Skills

When it comes to the greater ranges like Alaska and the Himalaya there is more than climbing skills needed. The logistics of moving equipment in technical terrain, managing sleds or working with porters to manage loads are only part of this. Living outdoors for weeks on end, managing supplies, understanding acclimitization, and staying fit while avoiding exhaustion are part of expedition style climbs. 

During this 3 day course participants will learn a variety of skills to suit them on their early ascents of peaks commonly climbed in expedition style such as Denali, Aconcagua, or Himalayan peaks.

What You'll Learn

For those wanting to ascend peaks that need weeks of acclimatization or significant travel in the backcountry you'll learn:

  • Equipment management, what you need and what you don't as well as how to keep track of it all.

  • Backcountry skills such as campsite selection and construction, waste management, packing sleds and packs primarily focused on winter conditions.

  • Basic snow travel skills such as self arrest.

  • Crevasse rescue and travel  ascending and descending fixed lines.

  • Basics of acclimatization and other backcountry physiology.

  • Introduction to avalanche rescue skills and equipment.

After taking this climbing course participants should feel ready to start heading into bigger climbs with significant backcountry and travel logistics.

Climbing Instruction Rates and Availability

1 Instructor
Half Day (4 hours)
Regular Day (6 hours)
Full Day (8 hours)

1 Students

$309

$369

$429

2 Students

$249

$309

$369

3 Students

$199

$249

$309

4 Students

$149

$199

$249

2 instructors to keep low ratios for the best experience!

5-8 Students

$119

$149

$199

1 Instructor
Half Day (4 hours)
Regular Day (6 hours)
Full Day (8 hours)

1 Students

$309

$369

$429

2 Students

$249

$309

$369

3 Students

$199

$249

$309

4 Students

$149

$199

$249

2 instructors to keep low ratios for the best experience!

5-8 Students

$119

$149

$199

1 Instructor
Half Day (4 hours)
Regular Day (6 hours)
Full Day (8 hours)

1 Students

$309

$369

$429

2 Students

$249

$309

$369

3 Students

$199

$249

$309

4 Students

$149

$199

$249

2 instructors to keep low ratios for the best experience!

5-8 Students

$119

$149

$199

Rate Information:
Rates are per person, e.g. 3 people for a Regular Day would be $259/person for a total of $777. Trip start times are custom but generally we recommend 8AM starts for most rock climbing May through September to avoid heat, crowding, and afternoon thunderstorms.

Discount Information: We appreciate our guests but discounts are limited to the following and cannot be combined with any other offer.

Early Bird Discounts and Last Chance Pricing: Book early and save! Schedule any rock climbing trip a month or more in advance for a 10% discount. Any trip booked with less than 48 hours notice incur a $100 convenience fee.

Bundle Pricing: The ultimate way to get started climbing! Purchase 3 or more days of climbing guiding or instruction at once for a 10% discount. Schedule at your convenience.

Best Places to Learn

There are several locations that work well for this course due to reliable, high quality ice with minimal approaches. The venues we recommend are:

Required Skills

No previous experience is necessary. If you have previous climbing experience this can accelerate the learning process. Some hiking or skiing fitness is beneficial but all our courses are designed to help you from your current fitness level.

Ready to book your experience or have more questions?

Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights. 

Get in Touch with Us

Ready to book your experience or have more questions?

Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights. 

Get in Touch with Us

Ready to book your experience or have more questions?

Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights. 

Get in Touch with Us

Reviews

Reviews

Reviews

We turn your adventure into an epic story you’ll be telling forever.

Colorado Springs

6435 Garlock Way

Colorado Springs, CO

80918

Denver

596 S. Carr St.

Lakewood, CO

80226

The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now

Copyright ©  2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com

We turn your adventure into an epic story you’ll be telling forever.

Colorado Springs

6435 Garlock Way

Colorado Springs, CO

80918

Denver

596 S. Carr St.

Lakewood, CO

80226

The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now

Copyright ©  2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com

We turn your adventure into an epic story you’ll be telling forever.

info@coclimbing.com

Denver

596 S. Carr St.

Lakewood, CO

80226

The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now

Copyright ©  2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com