Where would I go to learn how to ice climb? I will be in colorado in march, near Denver. I would like to be able to try ice climbing the same day, on a beginners course. What outfit do you recommend? Thanks, jason

-- jason brilz (jbrilz@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

I took classes through International Alpine School up near Boulder when I was starting out - but that was 15 years ago. Don't even know if they're still in existence. But, for what it's worth, I met some of the guides from Colorado Mountain School (Estes Park) on an expedition in Bolivia last summer. They seemed competent, and they seemed to take good care of their client crew. Try calling Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder. Great climbing shop, and plugged in to the local scene. They may be able to steer you somewhere.

Good luck.

-- Dennis Roscetti (roscetti@execpc.com), February 23, 2001.

Ouray (SWtrn COLO) is kind of the epicenter of Ice Climbing. Lots of companies have from 1-7 day ice climbing courses. Mountain Madness, AAI just to name a couple.

-- Bjorn Radtke (beradtke@hotmail.com), February 25, 2003.