ICE FEST 2008

THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU

2008-02-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

Thanks for coming everyone! What a great weekend!!!

We hope to see you next year. I saw Anne taking some photos during the weekend---we'll try to get them posted soon. If you have your own photos of the event, we'd love to see them! Email them to guides@ime-usa.com.

Ice Fest Kickoff!

2008-02-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

It's finally here! We've started! Tons of demo's, free coffee, apres party, sweet raffle items, free give aways, slideshows, Randy Rackcliff's work for sale, and more! Winter is in full force up here with cold temps and snow! There are just a few spots left on Sunday for clinics so don't wait any longer! Drive safe and come on up!

Evening Entertainment

2008-02-05T10:27:00.001-05:00

Step Right Up: Demo Time!

2008-02-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

Are you wanting to try mono-points? Want to go leashless? Aren't in love with your boots? Want to try some new warm gloves? The IMCS Ice Fest is here for you!
But seriously, we have a ton of demo's that will be available to the public throughout the Ice Fest!

You can check out gear Thursday through Sunday from 7:30am-11:00am, and are expected to return gear at the end of the day from 4pm-5:30pm.

Check out what gear you'll be able to try out!

Companies include:
-Mammut
-Asolo
-Lowe Alpine
-La Sportiva
-Grivel
-Black Diamond
-Petzl Charlet
-Vasque
-Patagonia
-Lowa
-Nemo Tents
-Clif Bar
-Wild Things

Après Parties No Longer Just For Skiers

2008-01-30T10:17:00.000-05:00

Please join us for the 2008 Ice Festival's

Après Climb Party
Friday, February 8
4:30–6:00 PM
I.M.E

sponsored by Tuckerman Brewing Co. and Mammut.

Mingle with fellow ice climbers and mountaineers, chat it up with Ice Fest celebrities like Max Turgeon and Josh Wharton, drink some free beer from Tuckerman, and enjoy the tight-knit climbing community of New England.

The Après Climb Party is free and open to the public.
Be there!

*Happy Ice Fest Climbers*

*Hooray for beer sponsors!*

Sign Up Time!

2008-01-27T18:05:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed the variety we offer with our courses, clinics, and guided ascents during the Ice Fest? Check it out, find what you've been wanting to do, and give us a call! Don't find what you're looking for? Let us tailor a clinic to your needs.
IMCS: 603.356.7064

A list of all the clinics can be found on the Ice Fest web page.

Clinics this year include:

* Huntington Ravine gully climb with IMCS guide

* Private climb with IMCS Guide (up to 4 people)

* Mixed climbing with Mark Synnott

* Fast and Light: Efficient alpine climbing techniques with Josh Wharton

*Steep Waterfall Ice Climbing Skills with guest guide Will Mayo

* Women's steep waterfall ice skills with Majka Burhardt

* Two-day ice leader skills with Bob Baribeau

* Two-day glacier travel and crevasse rescue

* Snow and ice anchors clinic

* Alpine-style primer climb

* One-day ice leader refresher course

*Presidential Terrain Traverse- 3 day

*Two-day Level I Avalanche course

Being a guide at IMCS is a profession and a passion that allows us to share the excitement of climbing and the mountain environment with YOU! Along the way we will help you build skills and gain experiences that will make YOU a better climber and mountaineer.

Will Mayo to give a slideshow about New England Ice and Mixed!

2008-01-24T14:01:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to announce that Will Mayo will be presenting a slide show during Ice Fest on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 pm. Will is going to kick-off the evening on Friday night with a show about the ice and mixed climbing here in our own backyard. We love watching shows about radical routes in far corners of the globe---but sometimes it's nice to be reminded of the world-class adventures to be had right here in New England.

What: Northeast Ice and Mixed Climbing: Past, Present, and Future: A slide show by Will Mayo

When: Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00, beer will be served before the show, so come early!

Where: The climbing wall at the Cranmore Fitness Center, North Conway

Please note: Mark Richey, who was previously scheduled to give a slide show on Friday night, will unfortunately not be able to attend due to a last-minute scheduling conflict. Mark will be halfway to Mumbai, India during the night of the show, so I guess he has a good excuse! We hope you can make it next year, Mark!

Swing an axe with Mark Synnott!

2008-01-22T11:40:00.000-05:00

There are still a few spots left in Mark Synnott's Intro to Mixed Climbing courses during Ice Fest! From the basics of dry-tooling to transitioning from rock to ice and back again, Mark will give you the skills to explore a whole new winter world.

Plus, you get to spend the day with Mark, who is not only a world-famous, inspirational climber, he's also one of the best story tellers in the business. Prepare to be entertained.

Mark's clinics are being held Thursday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 8, and are limited to 4 climbers per clinic. Call the IMCS office (603-356-7064) today to sign up!

Will Mayo a Top Finisher in Ouray; Next Stop: Mount Washington Valley

2008-01-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

At 8th place overall, New England ice master Will Mayo was the top U.S. finisher at the recently held Ouray Ice Festival. After dropping a tool on his final route, Mayo managed to keep climbing, hoisting himself up a man-made obstacle with a single tool and thoroughly entertaining the crowd.

Check out a photo of Will on the Climbing magazine Hot Flashes site.

Check out a write-up of the event on the Alpinist News Wire site,

Want to climb as hard as Will? Or just hang out with him? (He's a really nice guy.) Sign up for one of his clinics during the Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival! He is teaching steep ice clinics on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9. Space is limited, so call the IMCS office today to reserve your spot! 603-356-7064

Ice Fest SCHEDULE

2008-01-16T10:58:00.001-05:00

Confused about what's happening when for this year's Ice Fest? Download a PDF of the official ICE FEST SCHEDULE here. Or click on the image below for a full-size version in your browser.

IMCS Guides in the News

2008-01-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

IMCS guides Peter Doucette and Freddie Wilkinson are up on the latest Hot Flashes from Climbing magazine. Check out the article about their new first-ascent on Cannon. Peter Doucette will be guiding each day during Ice Fest. Want to climb with him? Call the IMCS office! 603-356-7064

Recycle Your Ropes!

2008-01-16T09:03:00.000-05:00

We are proud to announce that Sterling Rope will have their Rope Redemption Program at the Ice Fest! For years Sterling Rope has recycled the nylon waste fiber that is left over from even the most efficient manufacturing processes—now they can take used dynamic climbing ropes and recycle those as well! Yep, it's cool to do green things! So get on the program!

What: Bring your USED, OLD, CRUSTY, SKETCHY, CORE SHOT ropes to either Friday or Saturday's slideshow night.
Where: Cranmore Climbing Wall, North Conway, NH
When: Friday & Saturday nights, 7:00pm
Why: 1. For each rope you bring you will receive a raffle ticket from Sterling to win a NEW Sterling rope! Winners will be announced the night of each slideshow!
2. Keeps the ropes out of a landfill!
3. Helps you stay safe! Time to let go of that old rope!

Another sweet addition to the Ice Fest! Keep checking back! We will be revealing more as the date gets closer!

Josh Wharton to give a slide show!

2008-01-11T16:10:00.001-05:00

Ok, the good news first:

Mammut athlete and all around climbing mad-man Josh Wharton is coming to Ice Fest! Check out Josh's climbing bio on the Mammut website. Josh will be giving the feature slide show on Saturday night and will teach clinics and private guided ascents during the festival. Call the IMCS office to sign up for Josh's Saturday clinic: "Fast and Light: Techniques for Efficient Alpine Climbing". Also call to book a private climb with Josh for Friday or Sunday.

Now, the bad news:

Colin Haley had to cancel. I know, I know, we're disappointed too. But at least he's got a good reason: he's hooked up with Rolo Garibotti in Patagonia and is gunning for the coveted Torre Traverse. Good luck, Colin! We hope to see you next year!

Ben Is Back!

2008-01-11T12:18:00.000-05:00

Ben Gilmore is back! He is THE quintessential New England climber. Humble, modest, friendly, and an incredible climber. Are we more than psyched he's on the IMCS team?
YES!

We'd like to give you a little background of what we know and like about Ben.
1. He fires out crux pitches when it NEEDS to happen! Yeah Ben!
2. He loves the mountains! Living and guiding in the Tetons in the summer and back to New England to be with IMCS in the winter!
3. He has done firsts ascents in Alaska, Patagonia, New Hampshire, Newfoundland, and Arizona!
4. He has been guiding for 11 years and is an amazing teacher.
5. He is a certified AMGA Rock and Alpine Guide!

Ben Gilmore will be at the Ice Fest this year teaching "Steep Water Fall Ice Climbing Skills" throughout the event. He will also be around at the Apres Party and the slideshows- if you're wondering was he's up to- just ask!
"Hey Ben what's in store for you this year?"

Ben Gilmore on the 2nd ascent of the Slovak Route (aka Czech Direct) on the South Face of Denali, Alaska.

Ben Gilmore on The Penguin, WI 4, Frankenstein Cliff, NH.

Ice Fest presenters making headlines

2008-01-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Check out the links below to read more about Ice Fest 2008 feature athletes Colin Haley, Maxime Turgeon, Will Mayo, Mark Richey, and Mark Synnott.

New Route and Rare Repeat in Patagonia, Climbing Hot Flashes, Jan 4, 2008

Patagonian Weather Keeps Strong Teams at Bay, Alpinist Newswire Dec 19, 2007

CANNON'S MOST DIFFICULT, SUSTAINED WINTER LINE, Alpinist Newswire Dec 20, 2007

Cerro Torre, Alpinist Newswire June 1, 2007

FIRST WINTER ASCENT OF MT. HUNTINGTON, Alpinist Newswire March 20, 2007

NEW LINE ON MT. ROBSON BY HOUSE, HALEY, Alpinist Newswire May 29, 2007

Mt. Moffit, Alpinist Newswire March 1, 2007

TURGEON SOLOS UNCLIMBED FAROL EAST IN CHARAKUSA, Alpinist Newswire Oct 16, 2007

LATOK I's NORTH RIDGE WINS AGAIN, Alpinist Newswire Sept 18, 2006

Mt. Foraker and Denali, Alpinist Newswire Nov 27, 2006

MT. BRADLEY, NORTH FACE, Alpinist Newswire Dec 1, 2005

Americans Climb Latok II and V, Climbing Hot Flashes

Trident: Yes; Latok: No, Climbing Hot Flashes

Near Miss in Nyainqentanglha, Climbing Hot Flashes

New Route in Remote Guyana, Climbing Hot Flashes

Alpine- and Ice-Climbing STARS To Appear at Ice Fest

2008-01-02T08:12:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are veterans of Ice Fest, you know that each year we bring in the biggest and brightest stars of modern ice, mixed, and alpine climbing to teach clinics, give slideshows, and just be around to hang out with the rest of us climbing mortals.

We are especially proud of the line-up of visitors for 2008: Colin Haley, Mark Richey, Max Turgeon, Will Mayo, and Mark Synnott. There's also a rumor circulating that New Hampshire-native Josh Wharton will be around this Ice Fest--I'll keep you posted when the details are confirmed.

If you're not a die-hard climbing-mag reader, you might not be instantly familiar with some of these names--even possibly our headliners Colin Haley and Max Turgeon. If you don't already know who these guys are, don't worry, you will soon. These are two of alpinism's rising stars--the guys who are on the front lines right now, opening the doors of what is possible to achieve in the mountains. We are stoked to be supporting this next generation of alpine bad-a*#es and we are grateful that these guys can take a few days out of their jet-setting expedition schedules to play with us here in New Hampshire.

Check out the Ice Fest SCHEDULE page for a list of the clinics offered by our celebrity guides and call us at the IMCS office (603-356-7064) today to reserve your spot in these limited-space courses!

Please note: Despite her name being on the poster, Zoe Hart unfortunately won't be able to join this year due to a scheduling conflict (she'll be off pioneering new routes halfway around the globe instead...). Our steep ice women's clinics will be taught by our guest guide from the Colorado Mountain School, Majka Burhardt. Majka is an extremely talented and accomplished climber and guide from Boulder, Colorado. Check out her feature article in the current issue of Climbing magazine!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! All of us at IMCS and IME hope you had a wonderful holiday. We're having an epic winter up here in the North Country---keeping everyone in cheerful spirits.

If you're thinking about buying any new ice gear this winter, you should consider coming up to the Gear Demo at Ice Fest. All the leading gear companies will be here with the latest and greatest boots, ice tools, crampies, and more for you to check out and try on your own before you buy. No purchase is necessary and there are no entrance fees for the demo.

We still have slots open in our skills clinics during Ice Fest! Improve your steep ice or dry-tooling skills! Know how to perform a rescue on ice? Brush up on your self-rescue skills at our ice rescue course! Call IMCS 603-356-7064 today to book your spot.

Spread The Word

2007-12-19T16:35:00.001-05:00

Our poster is officially done! They will be spread all over New England and further! Please let us know if you know a specific place where it should be up! Such as a new store, gym, or college outing club! Just click on "comment" below this post and let us know! We would be psyched to reach out to all places that have an interest!

Showing: New England premier of HIGHER GROUND

2007-12-14T14:48:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars! The Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival will host the New England premier of Higher Ground, a new climbing flick by Alex Lavigne and Chris Alstrin of HG Productions. We will be showing excerpts from the film on Saturday, February 9, starting at 7:30 pm at the Cranmore Fitness Center climbing wall.

From the Higher Ground website:
"Documenting a yearlong journey as seen through the eyes of a selection of world-class
climbers. Higher Ground focuses on the importance of exploration, passion for the mountains and those who pursue the lifestyle."

2008 Ice Fest SKILLS CLINICS

2007-12-10T06:53:00.000-05:00

Want to improve your swing? Become a more efficient ice leader?

Want to push your mountain skills to the next level?

Check out the 2008 Mt. Washington Valley Ice Festival SKILLS CLINICS, offered by the International Mountain Climbing School. A list of all the clinics can be found on the Ice Fest web page. Don't find what you're looking for? Call the IMCS office (603-356-7064) and let us tailor a clinic to your needs.

Clinics this year include:

Steep waterfall ice climbing skills with Ben Gilmore

Fast and Light: Efficient alpine climbing techniques with Colin Haley

Women's alpine snow and ice skills with Majka Burhardt

Women's steep waterfall ice climbing skills

Two-day ice leader skills with Bob Baribeau

Two-day glacier travel and crevasse rescue

Snow and ice anchors clinic

Alpine-style primer climb

One-day ice leader refresher course

Register now! Mark Synnott's Introduction to Mixed Climbing CLINIC

2007-12-06T09:43:00.000-05:00

Looking to try something new?

Sign up for Mark Synnott's clinic: An Introduction to Mixed Climbing, held Thursday and Friday during Ice Fest (Feb 7 and Feb 8). Mark, an athlete for The North Face and a Mount Washington Valley local, will help bring your winter climbing into a whole new dimension. Petzl is proud to sponsor Mark and this Ice Fest clinic.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot now by calling the IMCS office (603-356-7064).

FREE BEER!

2007-12-03T15:37:00.000-05:00

That's right, folks, the Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival now has an official beer sponsor! What more could an ice climber want???

Headlining Sponsors Announced!

2007-12-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

We are proud to announce the headlining sponsors for 2008: Asolo, Lowe Alpine, and Mammut! Thanks to the generous support of these companies, the 2008 Ice Fest is shaping up to be the best yet! Be sure to check out these companies' booths at the gear demo, upstairs at IME every day of the festival (Feb 7-10). And remember, the gear demo is free and open to the public! Yea!

Lining Them Up!

2007-11-29T16:12:00.000-05:00

Our sponsors are getting ready to represent at the Ice Fest! The list of companies that want to be involved this year looks awesome! They'll have demo gear available for climbers who are visiting for the weekend and for clients who are ready to climb and learn! We are talking boots, crampons, axes, tools, helmets, and clothing. Demo's will be available throughout the festival!

It's starting to look like winter...

2007-11-20T13:16:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the snow is falling... IMCS owner Brad White got out to sample the ice in Tucks recently and he is happy to report that the season is shaping up nicely. Let's cross our fingers for more! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.