Day Trips
Ice Climbing
Scale Frozen Waterfalls for Beautiful Winter Views!
Few things compare to this: climbing a mountain face with other adventuresome New Yorkers, exploring a vertical ice flow high in the crisp winter air!
When ice climbing you will be harnessed and belayed with ropes, while scaling features such as icefalls, frozen waterfalls and cliffs and rock slabs covered with ice refrozen from flows of water. Ascend to an icy perch by anchoring your ice axe above and planting your crampons securely in the ice. This great workout will be even more exhilarating as you learn new climbing skills in the midst of snow drifts and beautiful hanging icicles.
You can change your course over the day, as you gain skills and confidence. You will learn equipment usage, climbing techniques, rappelling and safety steps and you will have ample time to put it all to use. We will spend a full 5-6 hours learning and climbing. This trip is appropriate for avid climbers as well as first-timers as we will have a number of courses and climbing guides to coach each ability level.
All technical gear is provided: ice boots, crampons, helmet, ice axes. Please carefully read the Pack List tab (above) for what to wear and bring with you.
Event Intensity Level
This trip is Intensity Level 3. Read a full description of all levels.
Event Details
- Depart 7:15 AM Please arrive at 7:00 AM for check-in
- Return Approximately 7:00 PM
- Departure/Return Location Northeast corner of 73rd Street and Broadway. Meet in front of Apple Bank.
- Bring Please click the Pack List tab above for what to wear and pack; bring your own lunch and water.
- Includes All technical equipment, but you may also bring your own.
- Please indicate your gender and shoe size in the comments box on the checkout page.
Want to share this event or trip?
About the Guides
On your ice climbing trip, you will be led by professional climbing guides, dedicated to providing safe and educational adventures. To ensure your trip is safe as well as successful, the guides are certified by American Mountain Guide Association. AMGA only certifies individuals who demonstrate the highest level of knowledge and ability in the areas of rock and alpine climbing and ski-mountaineering, including leadership, judgment, client care, technical expertise, rescue skill, and environmental consciousness. Most importantly, our guides are sensitive, encouraging teachers willing to work hard to make your days rewarding and successful.
Intensity Levels
This event or trip is Intensity Level 3.
Overview > Adventures at All Skill Levels
We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.
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Activity
How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.
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Distances
You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.
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Surfaces
What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.
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Elevation Change
The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.
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Altitude
The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.
Level 1 > Laid-Back, Unhurried, Restful
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Activity
1 – 3 hours
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Distances
Walk or hike less than 3 miles
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Surfaces
Flat terrain
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Elevation Change
Little or none
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Altitude
Less than 3,000 feet
Level 2 > Easy Active — Perfect for Active First-Timers
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Activity
2 – 5 hours
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Distances
Hike up to 6 miles, cycle 10 – 30 miles most days
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Surfaces
Flat or rolling terrain with some steeps possible
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Elevation Change
Up to 1,500 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 6,000 feet
Level 3 > Moderate — for Novices & Above
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Activity
4 – 6 hours most days
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Distances
Hike up to 10 miles, cycle 20 – 40 miles most days
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Surfaces
Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steeps
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Elevation Change
Up to 2,000 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 10,000 feet
Level 4 > Vigorous — Recommended for Fit Travelers with Basic Skills
Experience required.
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Activity
5 – 8 hours most days
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Distances
Hike up to 12 miles, cycle 30 – 50 miles most days
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Surfaces
Mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
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Elevation Change
Up to 3,000 feet per day
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Altitude
Up to 14,000 feet
Level 5 > Strenuous — Very Fit or Experienced Travelers
Experience required; doctor’s release may be required (if so, will be noted in trip description).
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Activity
10 plus hours per day
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Distances
Hike 12 or more miles, cycle 50 miles most days
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Surfaces
Remote mountainous, exposed terrain with steep ascent and descents, uneven trails with loose features
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Elevation Change
Up to 4,000+ feet per day
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Altitude
May well exceed 14,000 feet
How to make the most of your adventure
What’s Included
All technical gear: ice boots, crampons, helmet, ice axes
Bring
- Backpack, lunch, water, money for snacks
- Water bottle, two quarts. Soup or hot tea is a great thing to have in your thermos!
Wear
Be prepared to be out moving and standing outdoors in temperatures from 35 degrees to below freezing. We may also be hiking into the climbing area—so please wear winter hiking boots. No tennis shoes or inappropriate footwear. Keep in mind that in the winter “cotton kills.” Be sure to wear clothing made out of synthetic materials. Wool is a great choice, but it gets heavy when wet and is not as warm as fleece. Down is a great insulator—just be sure to keep it dry! Use a layering system that consists of the following:
- A wicking first layer: capilene, bergaline, thermal dynamics, polypro, etc.
- A midweight insulating layer, such as a fleece.
- An insulated jacket
- Two warm hats
- Ski gloves or mittens, two pair
- Wool or synthetic socks. Bring an extra pair as well.
- Sunglasses or goggles
- Optional Gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots.
- Optional Any personal medications you may need and a camera.
Catskills Hike: Indian Head Mountain
Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides
From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.
Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.
Diverse & Interesting Groups
There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.
New Experiences
Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.
Environmental Awareness
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.
Other Trips in This Category
- 3rd of July Hike & Swim
- 4th of July Hike & Swim
- Adventure Tri Clinic
- Autumn Glider Soaring
- Autumn Mohonk Scramble Challenge
- Autumn Waterfall Canyoneering
- Awosting Falls
- Backcountry Snowshoe on Russian Bear Mountain
- Backwoods Snow Sledding
- Backwoods Snowshoeing
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskill Mountains, High Point
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskills, Panther Mountain
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Catskills, Slide Mountain
- Backwoods Snowshoeing: Surebridge Mountain
- Bearfort Mountain Hike
- Black Ash Mountain Hike
- Black Rock Hike
- Breakneck Ridge Hike & Scramble
- Breakneck Ridge Hike to Mount Taurus
- Bullets, Beer & BBQ
- Canoe & Kayak
- Canopus Lake Hike
- Castle Ruin Hike
- Catskills Hike & Rappel: Panther Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Indian Head Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Panther Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Slide Mountain
- Catskills Hike: Sugarloaf Mountain
- Catskills Snowshoeing & Rappelling
- Class V Whitewater Rafting
- Clay’s Private Rock Climbing, Hiking & Camping Weekend
- Columbus Day 6 Mile Hike: Gertrude’s Nose in Minnewaska
- Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe
- Diamond Mountain Hike
- Dog, Beach & Vine
- Echo Lake Hike
- Empire Hotel Rooftop Cocktails & Gear Raffle
- End to End: Sterling Ridge Hike
- Evening Horseback, Hayride & Cookout
- Fall Foliage Hike, Apple & Pumpkin Picking
- Fall Foliage Horseback, Apple & Pumpkin Picking
- Flamenco Lesson, Dinner, Drinks & Performance
- Fourteen Peaks Hike
- Fourth of July Skydiving!
- Full Moon Halloween Hike
- Full Moon Hike
- Full Moon Kayaking to Abandoned Castle
- Gertrude’s Nose 6 Mile Hike in Minnewaska
- Groundhog Day Hike: Russian Bear
- Gunks Hike & Whiskey Tasting
- Gunks Horseback Riding & Whiskey Tasting
- Gunks Winter Hike & Whiskey Tasting
- Half Day Hudson Valley Biking, Hiking & Pub
- Halloween Costume Hike & Pub
- Halloween Hangover Hike: Ramapo Ridge 9 Miles
- Halloween Horseback Riding & Wine Tasting
- Hang Gliding Adventure
- High Peterskill Hike in Minnewaska
- High Ridge Hike & Yoga
- High Ropes Climbing
- Hike & Art Gallery
- Hike & Hound 6-Mile Hike
- Hike & Hound Eight Mile Hike
- Hike & Pilates
- Hike & Wine Tasting
- Hike The Great Escape
- Hike the Hamptons
- Hike to High Point in the Catskills Mountains
- Hike, Swim & Wine Tasting
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Grateful Dead Tribute
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Harvest Moon Folk Festival
- Hike, Swim, Wine Tasting & Johnny Cash Tribute
- Hike, Wine & Charcuterie Tasting
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Appalachian Trail
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Ship Rock Ridge
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Dinner: Tom Jones Mountain
- Hike, Wine & Fondue Tasting: Tom Jones Mountain
- Hike, Wine & Shakespeare in the Orchard
- Hike, Yoga & Swim
- Hippo Rock Hike
- Holiday Ice Skating at Bryant Park
- Holiday Ice Skating at Bryant Park
- Holiday Party at Country Club
- Hollywood Stunt Class: High Falls
- Hollywood Stunt Class: Trampoline
- Horseback & Art Gallery
- Horseback & Hike
- Horseback Riding & Wine Tasting
- Horseback Riding and Introduction to Polo
- Horseback, Hike & Swim
- Horseback, Wine Tasting & Apple Picking
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hudson Half Day Sailing & Hike
- Hudson River Brunch Sailing Excursion
- Hudson Sailing & Hike
- Hudson Valley Biking, Hiking & Pub
- Ice Climbing
- Indoor Rock & Pints
- Indoor Rock Climbing
- Intro to Dragon Boat Racing
Bringing a Friend or Two?
Please be sure to enter the total number of people in the Qty box. In addition, be sure to include your friends’ names and cell-phone numbers on the final Checkout page. The final discount price is the price per person, multiplied by the Qty you enter.
Reminder about Trip Conditions
We closely monitor snow, ice and related weather conditions before each trip. Lack of snow or similar, unsatisfactory weather/trail/river conditions may lead to changes to the trip or rescheduling or cancellation.
Please consult the individual trip description or Event Calendar for notice of any such changes. Refer to our full Policies page for more information about reservations and cancellations.
