2021 Teen Alpine Mountaineering Clinic | Ages High School

Offered over February Break – Feb. 16-19,  2021

OPEN TO ALL High School Students

Would you like to spend more time hiking, climbing, and exploring the alpine peaks of the White Mountains this winter? Do you want to learn to ice climb, use crampons, and a mountaineering axe? Learn to navigate in whiteout conditions and how to be prepared and maximize adventure in New England’s alpine peaks? Do you want to feel confident to go out and adventure on your own in the mountains this winter? 

 Join Rippleffect’s Teen Alpine Mountaineering Clinic and learn how to maximize safety and enjoyment outside in our winter hills.  Gain the skills and confidence to explore the wilderness around you this winter!  

Included Experiences:

  • Safety orientation – how to be prepared for course work and clinic experiences

  • Crampon and mountaineering axe use and technique

  • Ice climbing

  • Attempt to summit Mt. Washington or other alpine peaks in the White Mtns. 

  • Education pertaining to trip planning, time control plans, and planning resources

  • Snow anchors and snow assessment 

  • Shelter building and risk management practices 

Program Requirements:

  • Must be a high school student

  • The desire and ability to be outside in winter weather for at least 8 hours;

  • Ability and desire to walk on varied, snowy and at times steep and icy terrain for 3-6 miles a day while wearing a 25-35LB pack;

  • Desire to challenge oneself;

  • Desire to LEARN TECHNICAL ALPINE CLIMBING SKILLS including rope safety systems, crampon technique, mountaineering axe use for climbing and self-arrest, technical ice climbing technique and safe equipment use; 

  • Willingness to endure cold temperatures and follow guide instructions;

  • A flexible, growth mindset; 

Capacity: This clinic experience is open to 10 high school participants on a first come first serve basis.

Program Dates/Times: Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Friday, Feb. 19.  

  • Tuesday, 16: Safety Orientation and intro to Equipment -  8:00-5:00, Pick up/Drop off: Rippleffect Office

  • Wednesday, 17: Ice Climbing - 7:00AM-5:30 PM, Pick up/Drop off: Rippleffect Office

  • Thursday, 18th: Risk Management, Trip Preparation, Skill Review - 8:00-4:00 - Pick up/Drop off: Rippleffect Office

  • Friday, 19th: Attempted Summit of Mt. Washington or Other High Peak - 6:00AM-7:00PM, Pick up/Drop off: Rippleffect Office

  • Tuition: $458

*Includes all winter gear, technical equipment, transportation, and 1-3 guide to student ratio. 

All guides are Wilderness First Responders, professionally trained, and experienced mountain guides.  At our core, we are allied based leaders and youth educators. 


For more information and questions, contact info@rippleffect.net