What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local guide with extensive knowledge of the area 2 days of ice climbing All technical equipment (ice tools, boots, crampons, helmet, harness, belay device and locking carabiner) What’s not included: Transportation Accommodations Personal clothing and equipment Food and snacks

What about required equipment?

All technical ice climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service if coordinated in advance and is included in your price. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need: Climbing helmet Insulated ice climbing boot with crampon compatibility Climbing harness Ice Tools (2) Crampons (step-in with vertical front points, must fit your boots) Belay device and locking carabiner Here’s a list of the equipment you should bring: Medium or lightweight fleece or sweater Heavyweight fleece Down or synthetic insulated jacket Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood Lightly insulated, trim fit soft or hard-shell pants Waterproof pants — optional Midweight top & bottom synthetic or wool long underwear Midweight socks Fleece or wool hat that covers ears and fits under a helmet One thin pair of medium weight gloves and one thick pair Gaiters — optional Neck gaiter/buff or scarf Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (a 40-55L bag with ice tool carrying compatibilities) 1-liter water bottle (with insulated sleeve) Food you can eat on-the-go (energy bars, GU packs, or Hammer Gels) Toiletries Sunglasses Sunscreen Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Ski pole(s) for approaches — optional Camera — optional (helmets have GoPro cam mounts) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Guided Hyalite Canyon & Ousel Falls Ice Climbs, MT

Top reasons to ice climb in Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls

A world of opportunities for newcomers to ice climbing
See why Hyalite Canyon is among the Top 3 US ice climbing destinations
Master new moves on outstanding ice and bond with like-minded women

If you’re a female outdoor enthusiast looking for a change of pace this winter, south-western Montana’s got some of the most breathtaking ice climbing destinations in the US. Situated outside of Bozeman and Big Sky, Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls’ wide variety of routes offer ample training ground for total newbies and those transitioning from rock to frozen structures. With over 204 ice cragging climbs in the stunning Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls, it’s practically guaranteed that you and your fellow female thrill-seekers will develop all the necessary techniques to become confident ice climbers. Your expert guide will show you the ropes of ice climbing, ensure an optimal learning environment and introduce you to these Montanan frozen gems. Get ready to learn new skills on this thrilling ice climbing adventure and strike up new friendships with like-minded women in the process!

Season January	Nearest city Bozeman, MT, is 15 minutes away from Hyalite Canyon and an hour away from Ousel Falls
Duration 2 days	Skill level Beginner

Book this adventure

Connect with other thrill-seeking ladies on this exhilarating two day introductory ice climbing adventure and grasp the basics of climbing up frozen structures. Let your expert guide navigate you on the quality ice that Montana’s Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls offer. Develop the necessary techniques and learn all the important aspects of ice climbing to become more confident on the icy walls ahead of you. If you have some rock climbing skills under your belt, apply them on ice and conquer various routes, all while making long-lasting friendships with your fellow female ice climbers!

Itinerary

On the first day of your electrifying ice climbing adventure, you’ll meet your guide at your guide’s shop in Bozeman at 7 am. You’ll then fit all the necessary gear, fill out the paperwork, and head towards Ousel Falls. Climb some of the best routes these marvelous waterfalls have to offer and your guide will make sure to show you all you need to know to become a competent ice climber. You’ll return to the shop between 3:30 and 4:30 pm.

Meet your guide at the guide shop at 7 am and head to Hyalite Canyon. Kick off the day by reviewing skills from Day 1. Your guide will slowly but surely introduce you to steeper ice climbing techniques and you’ll get all the necessary instruction and coaching. Take some of the most amazing photos on routes seeing as there are many great photo opportunities. You’ll return to the shop between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Return the gear, debrief from the trip and grab your guiding company’s hoodie or shirt at their shop before returning home!

Learning outcomes

Here’s what you’ll learn and gain during this course:

- Ability to identify ice climbing equipment, properly don and check harness, helmet, boots, and crampons
- Belay communications
- Climbing knots and hitches: figure 8 follow-through, double fisherman’s, prussic, munter, clove hitch, and water knot
- Proper top rope anchor placement and setup
- Rappel setup and techniques with friction devices
- Ice climbing technique up to WI4 with coaching

Meet your guide

Montana Alpine Guides

Discover the best powder powder stashes in Montana with the most experienced ski guides in the Bozeman, Big Sky, and Yellowstone National Park areas.

Reviews (1)

Janine Young about Montana Alpine Guides on Montana Alpine Guides’ website

Everyone couldn’t have been nicer – and quite the crew – Pete and Stephen were terrific! Pete was able to guide me through my hesitation and gave excellent tips- inspired confidence. He has such a natural way of setting people at ease… The challenge was attempting something physically and mentally challenging and seeing how they opened the gates in Hyalite during the winter… So many people don’t understand that winter lifestyles are captivating and stunning.

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls, Montana, please refer to the Official State of Montana Government Website and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

- An experienced, local guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 2 days of ice climbing
- All technical equipment (ice tools, boots, crampons, helmet, harness, belay device and locking carabiner)

What’s not included:

- Transportation
- Accommodations
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Food and snacks

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Ice climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up ice formations using brute strength. To ensure you have fun, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level. Over the course of two days, you’ll learn the techniques, gear, and skills needed to become a competent ice climber!

No prior experience is necessary. Whether you’ve never donned a harness or you’re a seasoned ice climber, a guide will help you meet your individual objectives. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. As long as you listen to the given instructions, you’ll succeed in completing your climb.

All technical ice climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service if coordinated in advance and is included in your price. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

- Climbing helmet
- Insulated ice climbing boot with crampon compatibility
- Climbing harness
- Ice Tools (2)
- Crampons (step-in with vertical front points, must fit your boots)
- Belay device and locking carabiner

Here’s a list of the equipment you should bring:

- Medium or lightweight fleece or sweater
- Heavyweight fleece
- Down or synthetic insulated jacket
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood
- Lightly insulated, trim fit soft or hard-shell pants
- Waterproof pants — optional
- Midweight top & bottom synthetic or wool long underwear
- Midweight socks
- Fleece or wool hat that covers ears and fits under a helmet
- One thin pair of medium weight gloves and one thick pair
- Gaiters — optional
- Neck gaiter/buff or scarf
- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (a 40-55L bag with ice tool carrying compatibilities)
- 1-liter water bottle (with insulated sleeve)
- Food you can eat on-the-go (energy bars, GU packs, or Hammer Gels)
- Toiletries
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Ski pole(s) for approaches — optional
- Camera — optional (helmets have GoPro cam mounts)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

- For this adventure, the max. guest-to-guide ratio is 4:1. The maximum number of participants is 8, with two climbing teams consisting of 4 participants per 1 guide.
- It takes a minimum of 3 participants for this adventure to operate.
- Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

Ice climbing days in Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has ice climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Hyalite Canyon and Ousel Falls in Montana, most people fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport about 30 minutes away from Hyalite Canyon and an hour away from Ousel Falls. From there, you can rent a car or get a taxi to get to your guiding company’s shop in Bozeman.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet your guide at your guide’s shop at 13 Enterprise Blvd., Bozeman at 7 am. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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