CONWAY CLIMBING FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on Mt. Washington: A Field Course in Winter Mountaineering
A three-day basic mountaineering course from the International Mountain Climbing School that teaches winter camping, movement on snow and ice, and a Mt. Washington overnight and summit attempt.
Three Days on Mt. Washington: A Field Course in Winter Mountaineering.
This Three Day Basic Mountaineering Course based in Conway is a concentrated, hands-on introduction to winter alpine travel on and around Mt. Washington — from dressing for cold, moving in crampons and low-angle ice to selecting campsites, cooking outdoors and preparing for a summit attempt.
Route Schematic
Itinerary schematic
A sequence of practical skill days and a mountain overnight that prepares you for a summit attempt while allowing for weather-dependent adjustments.
Day 1 – Field skills and return to town
The first day is spent outdoors learning technical winter skills; participants return to town in the evening and will need lodging for this night.
Day 2 – Meet at IMCS, sort and pack
Group meets at the International Mountain Climbing School to sort and pack gear, finalize food choices and then head up toward Mount Washington to set up camp and cook dinner.
Night 2 – Camp on Mt. Washington
Participants spend the night on the mountain in prepared campsites, applying low-impact winter camping skills and preparing for the summit attempt.
Day 3 – Summit attempt and descent
On the third day the group attempts a summit push and then descends; plans and timing may be altered based on weather and snow conditions.
Participants should be prepared for a challenging experience; the itinerary and route are subject to change for safety depending on weather and snow conditions.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Winter mountaineering fundamentals
Over three days you’ll learn how to dress for winter, pack and choose food, select proper gear, cook outdoors, practice low-impact winter camping and move efficiently in winter boots and crampons — a complete introduction to the technical and practical skills of winter mountaineering.
Mt. Washington overnight and summit attempt
The course includes an ascent profile that culminates in an overnight on Mt. Washington where participants will set up camp and prepare for a summit attempt the following day; each day’s plan may shift according to weather and snow conditions.
Challenging, guided, small-group learning
Designed for groups of up to eight, the course is suitable for those with no prior climbing background who are ready for a physically challenging, skill-focused experience in winter mountain conditions.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
Days combine classroom-style gear sorting and food planning with practical time in winter terrain: an initial outdoor skills day followed by an equipment and packing session at IMCS, a push up to Mount Washington to establish camp and an early-morning summit attempt — each day running roughly six to nine hours plus an overnight on the mountain.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Three days total; expect roughly six to nine hours of activity per day plus an overnight on the mountain.
On Day 2 the group meets at the International Mountain Climbing School (IMCS) to sort and pack gear before heading up Mount Washington; note that you will need lodging for the first night after Day 1.
Come prepared with winter clothing and personal gear appropriate for snow and ice travel; the course covers how to dress for winter, select gear, pack and choose food, plus how to cook outdoors and practice low-impact winter camping.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the minimum age to join?
Participants must be at least 16 years old.
Do I need prior climbing experience?
No prior climbing experience is required for registration, though participants should be prepared for a challenging experience.
How large are the groups?
Group size is capped at a maximum of eight participants to keep instruction focused and manageable.
Where and when do we meet?
On Day 2 the group meets at the International Mountain Climbing School to sort and pack gear before the ascent to Mount Washington; Day 1 begins with outdoor skills training and you will return to town that evening.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes — assessing weather and snow conditions is a central part of the course, and each day’s itinerary may be changed for safety.
Is a private course available?
Private courses are offered — you are encouraged to call the operator to arrange private instruction.
What skills will I learn?
The course teaches dressing for winter, packing and food selection, gear selection, campsite selection, outdoor cooking, low-impact winter camping skills, efficient movement in winter boots and crampons, and climbing low- to moderate-angled snow and ice terrain.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-07T13:16:59.010Z
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Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.