Imagine strapping on your crampons, taking your ice tools in hand, and climbing straight up a frozen waterfall. That's just the kind of adventure Mountain Madness has in mind for you during this winter’s ice climbing seminars. The alpine setting of the San Juan Mountains near Ouray and Telluride, Colorado offers world renowned ice climbing, and provides a wide variety of winter climbing opportunities. In the evenings climbers can enjoy fine dinning, a soak in the hot springs and the comforts of a warm bed.

"Your guide, Mike, was the best guide I ever had!"

Robert Goulub

"Your guide was great and extremely knowledgeable, enjoyable to be around, safe and well informed. We loved it! Your office was the most helpful during the scheduling and pre-arragements as well. I have to say both my experiences with MM have been great. Kilimanjaro was just as amazing and memorable. Guess that why we want to continue to work with your organization!"

Cheryl Marfia

"I had a great time and it was indeed a lot of fun! Angela was a great guide. I felt like I quickly picked up where I left off last year, improved my technique a lot and climbed some excellent climbs."

Bob Oglesby

2 DAY BASIC ICE CLIMBING COURSE
Our two-day seminar is taught in the Ouray Ice Park. This course is for people with little or no experience on technical waterfall ice climbing. This course is an excellent option for people who aspire to improve their technical climbing skills for steeper snow or ice routes.

Student/Instructor Ratio: 4:1

2007/2008 Dates: December 29-30, 2007, January 5-6, January 25-27, February 9-10

Cost (2 days): $700 (1:1); $500 (2:1); $390 (3:1); $360 (4:1)

Course Curriculum includes:

• Ice climbing movement skills
  
• Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
  
• Anchor station management
  
• Ice climbing and crampon usage techniques
  
• Ice protection
  
• Rope management
  
• Rappelling and belaying in an alpine setting
  
• Multi-pitch climbing techniques
  
• Hazard assessment including: discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards, assessment of avalanche danger, rock and ice fall dangers
  
• Discussions include proper clothing and ice climbing equipment for survival in an alpine setting, efficient, safe and self-dependent climbing techniques, and Leave No Trace ethics.
  

QUALIFICATIONS: Students should know basic climbing skills such as belaying, rappelling and tie-in knots.

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2 DAY INTERMEDIATE ICE CLIMBING COURSE
Learn how to lead technical waterfall ice climbing. This course teaches the techniques of multi-pitch ice climbing, placing ice protection, equalized anchor construction and more!

Student/Instructor Ratio: 2:1

2008 Dates: January 12-13; February 2-3; February 16-17
Cost (2 days): $700 (1:1); $500 (2:1)

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2 DAY SAN JUAN BACKCOUNTRY SAMPLER
Enjoy classic ice climbs in the Ouray and Telluride backcountry Areas. Possible climbs include the Skylight, Horsetail or Solar Circus, Ames Falls, Ames Ice Hose or Gravity's Rainbow. WI 2-6.

2008 Dates**: January 7-8, January 28-29, February 4-5; February 18-19

Cost (2 days):$700 (1:1); $500 (2:1)

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**PRIVATE/CUSTOM GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION
Maximize your learning. Pick your own dates and routes!
$350/day (1:1); $250/day (2:1); $195/day (3:1); $180/day (4:1)

COST INCLUDES: Group climbing equipment and guide services.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare, hotel accommodations, transportation, restaurant meals, guide gratuities, and personal equipment.

HOW TO GET THERE
Ouray is located in the SW corner of the state of Colorado. The airport nearest Ouray is approximately 40 miles away in Montrose, Colorado. If you fly, plan on arriving the day before the course begins. Rental Cars are available at the Montrose airport.

WHAT TO BRING
You will be provided with a complete equipment list upon registration for this trip. Most equipment can be rented from the local retail shop, Ouray Mountain Shop. Their address and phone number are 722 Main Street in Ouray and 970-325-4284.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Participants are responsible for hotel and meal expenses. Mountain Madness recommends several B&B and Lodges:

• Ouray Victorian Inn ($65-$120; 800-846-8729),
  
• China Clipper Inn ($70-$165; 800-315-0565),
  
• Manor B & B ($70-$95; 800-628-6946),
  
• Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs ($65-$110; 800-327-5080) offers shuttle service from/to the Montrose airport if you stay 3 days or longer.
  
• Comfort Inn ($39-$120; 800-438-5713) may offer Montrose airport shuttle service for a slight fee.