MCCARTHY CLIMBING FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on Vertical Ice: Learn to Ice Climb in McCarthy with St. Elias Alpine Guides
A focused, three-day guided ice-climbing camp in McCarthy, Alaska—ideal for learners and small parties, offered during the summer months and available as private or custom trips.
Three Days on Vertical Ice: Learn to Ice Climb in McCarthy with St. Elias Alpine Guides.
Set against the raw, glaciated backdrop of McCarthy, Alaska, the Ice Climbing Camp is a concentrated, three-day guide-led program that teaches participants how to climb alpine ice and frozen terrain under experienced direction. Offered in June, July and August and available as private or custom itineraries, the camp blends technical instruction with purposeful time on ice for climbers of varying experience.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Summer Ice in an Alaskan Landscape
Climb among dramatic frozen features framed by McCarthy’s rugged peaks and glacial valleys—summer months provide stable access to on-ice instruction and scenic alpine context.
A Three-Day, Learn-to-Climb Structure
The camp is structured as a three-day instructional program designed to teach ice-climbing technique and on-ice movement, with guided practice suitable for a range of starting abilities.
Group Dates, Women’s-Specific Sessions and Private Options
Operator-run group departures run on specific summer dates, including a women’s-specific session; private and custom-date trips are also offered to accommodate individual schedules and party sizes.
What the day feels like
What Three Days on the Ice Feels Like
Across three focused days you move from fundamental instruction to guided on-ice practice—learning tool placement, movement on frozen features, and the basics of safe climbing under guided supervision. The format is intentionally compact: instruction, practice, and supervised climbs concentrate learning into a single summer weekend.
THE SETTING
Summer Ice in an Alaskan Landscape
Climb among dramatic frozen features framed by McCarthy’s rugged peaks and glacial valleys—summer months provide stable access to on-ice instruction and scenic alpine context.
THE LEARNING
A Three-Day, Learn-to-Climb Structure
The camp is structured as a three-day instructional program designed to teach ice-climbing technique and on-ice movement, with guided practice suitable for a range of starting abilities.
THE FLEXIBILITY
Group Dates, Women’s-Specific Sessions and Private Options
Operator-run group departures run on specific summer dates, including a women’s-specific session; private and custom-date trips are also offered to accommodate individual schedules and party sizes.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this camp suits—and when to choose a private or group option.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guided group departures run in June, July (including a women’s-specific session) and August; custom and private-date trips are also available to book.
The operator provides (or posts) a detailed equipment list—consult the trip page for the full gear list and clothing recommendations.
Group-rate and private pricing are published: group rate and per-person private rates vary by party size—see operator pricing for specifics and to reserve spots.
This is a three-day instructional camp.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Ice Climbing Camp?
The program runs three days.
When are the scheduled group trips?
Group trip dates are offered in June, July (including a women’s-specific session) and August; specific dates are published by the operator.
Can I book a private or custom-date trip?
Yes—private and custom trips with custom dates are available through the operator.
What are the rates?
Published pricing includes group and private rates; private pricing is tiered by party size and a group-rate per person is also listed—consult the operator’s pricing for exact numbers.
Where can I find the equipment list and more detailed trip information?
The operator posts a full equipment list and trip details on the official trip web page and maintains an FAQ page for additional information.