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ICE CLIMBING IN NORWAY


Our courses are based at Rjukan, the ice-climbing Mecca of southern Norway. With excellent ice throughout the winter, walk-ins from 5 seconds (no, really!) through to a more usual 5 minutes, and the ability to complete many routes during a day, Rjukan has quite rightly taken over from other more established areas as a winter sports playground.

A COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO ICE CLIMBING

This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to learn ice climbing skills on some of the most reliable icefalls in Europe. Topics covered include the following: equipment choice, belaying, ropework, ice screw placment, multi-pitch climbing, bottom roping, abseiling, climbing styles and techniques, alternative ice anchors and basic emergency procedures.
You can choose the length of the course, but most participants will opt for two days. Note that this is a technical skills course and the remit is to equip you with all the technical skills that you need to be able to climb steep ice routes for yourself in comfort and safety. There will, of course, also be plenty of opportunity to enjoy climbing, either when on the lead or when being belayed from above.

All technical equipment is provided.
EXPERIENCE: Experience of summer rock climbing is needed. and having climbed winter routes would be an advantage, but not essential.
RATIO: maximimum 1:2, unless by arrangement.
COST: £220.00 per day for 1:1 or 1:2 ratio.
DATES: These are still to be confirmed. please contact us if you have specific dates in mind.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are a number of ways of reaching Rjukan. The two simplest will be to fly or to drive. Flights to Oslo Torp airport are very reasonable, with extra sporting luggage being taken by arrangement with the carrier, most notably Ryanair. They fly from Stanstead, Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow, with ticket prices generally being quite inexpensive. Car hire at Oslo is easy to do, with Rjukan being approximately 3 hours drive away.

Accommodation is available in Rjukan and many outlying areas. A search on the internet will come up with many possibilities, both in the town or nearby. The most popular accommodation is in chalets, although hotels exist as do camp sites for the hardy.

It can be chilly in the area, so come well equipped with good quality boots and an efficient layering stystem. If you have a warm duvet to wear when 'hanging around' then that will keep you comfortable.

There are a number of other things to keep you or your family occupied in the area. It is the location for the original 'Heroes of Telemark', where the resistance attacked the German's heavy water facility. Tours along this theme can be arranged in the village. There is also skiing, both downhill and cross country, hill walking, curling, ice fishing, dog sledding etc.

Details of the area can be gained from www.rjukan-turistkontor.no