Are you an ice climber looking to expand your horizons by taking on the challenge of rock and ice climbing?

This clinic is designed for climbers who want to deepen their understanding of the basics of ice and mixed terrain climbing, then move on to more advanced techniques. The approach emphasizes posture, balance, reading the terrain, and conserving energy.

Objectives

Learn the fundamentals of ice and mixed climbing, including posture, balance management, proper use of ice tools and crampons, as well as striking and anchoring techniques. The clinic then progresses toward more advanced movement techniques, allowing for better energy efficiency, improved reading of ice structures, and mixed climbing lines.

Program

Introduction to equipment and safety rules
Basic striking and anchoring techniques with ice tools
Crampon placement and use
Body positioning and center of gravity management
Vertical progression and resting techniques
Rope team communication and safety concepts

Ice climbing experience
Ability to belay on top-rope
Good physical condition

Schedule

8:00 a.m.: Meet at parking lot P1 (Festiglace reception area) – you will be greeted by the volunteer assigned to your clinic, who will guide the group down into the canyon to pick up your equipment from our partners.

8:30 a.m.: Meet your guide at the reception area in the exhibitors’ village (down in the canyon).

Please be on time so that the group can pick up the equipment and get the most out of the clinic.

Equipment

Required (personal or borrowed)

Harness, helmet
Ice tool(s) and crampons
ATC and/or Grigri
Climbing lanyard, 1 to 2 carabiners
Protective eyewear (mixed climbing – optional)
Warm and waterproof clothing (Gore-Tex)
Several pairs of gloves
Thermos, snacks or lunch
Insulated jacket, base layers, hot pad

Gear loan – Exhibitor Village (from 7:30 a.m.)

Mammut: boots, helmets, harnesses
Petzl: ice tools, crampons, helmets, harnesses
CAMP: ice tools, crampons
La Sportiva: boots
Black Diamond: crampons, helmets, harnesses

$135 per person

Pierre-Alexandre Paquet is a local climber and engaged community member who humbly tries to contribute his stone to the building.

He is the instigator of the Fortin and Martineau awards, author of the now-defunct blog “Moi, mes varappes” — which he seriously threatens to resurrect one day — and a route setter in all disciplines: rock, trad, sport, ice, and mixed.

He has repeated many rock and ice classics throughout Québec and is fully aware that many treasures remain to be discovered — which is exactly what motivates him.

Less active on vertical terrain in recent years, he now spends summers logging hundreds of kilometers on trail runs deep in the woods: “Damn, it’s beautiful here.”

He could talk about it for days — or at least for 15 minutes — as much as about his love for Gros Bras (Grands-Jardins National Park).