Campus News
February 3rd, 2026
GC to offer community ice-climbing clinic
Clinic, scheduled for February 13th, requires advance registration
Photo by Sarah Myers
Garrett College Professor Andy Hershey will be leading a full-day introductory course in ice climbing on Friday, February 13th. The cost for the course, which is limited to six participants, is $130.
Who feels lucky enough to participate in an ice-climbing clinic on Friday the 13th?
For those adventuresome souls, Garrett College is offering a limited-enrollment community ice-climbing clinic on February 13th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to participate in the clinic, which is limited to six enrollees, is $130.
Participants will meet in Room 1013 of the Garrett College Center for Adventure & Outdoor Studies (CAOS). Preparation will take place in CAOS, with the group then traveling to a local ice-climbing site via a Garrett College van.
This full-day introductory clinic is designed for participants who are new to ice climbing or looking to build foundational skills in a supportive, instructional setting. The day will combine indoor preparation with hands-on field experience at a local ice-climbing site.
Participants will learn:
- Overview of ice-climbing equipment and proper fitting (boots, crampons, harness, helmet, tools);
- Basic ice-climbing movement and technique;
- Efficient use of ice tools and crampons;
- Belay systems and communication for ice climbing;
- Risk management and environmental considerations in winter climbing environments; and
- Leave No Trace principles specific to frozen waterfall and winter settings.
After morning preparation and skill review at CAOS, the group will travel to the climbing site, where participants will apply these skills on real ice under instructor supervision. Emphasis will be placed on safety, confidence building, and developing a solid technical foundation.
No prior ice-climbing experience is required, though participants should be comfortable hiking in winter conditions and spending several hours outdoors in cold weather.
To register, individuals should visit www.garrettcollege.edu/ola or contact Ryan Walton, experiential education service program coordinator, at 301-387-3327.
