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International School of Mountaineering
Summer Alpine 2

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Getting Into & Developing Your Climbing

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2022 - Fergana Range, Kyrgyzstan

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William Summits and Skills 4000m 2021

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Packing to stay overnight in an alpine hut

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 1

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TAA

Clothing for summer alpine mountaineering

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Alpine Grades

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My Climbing Harnesses & Helmet

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Sarken crampon

A look at some of the different types of crampons available

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Boots Advice

My Icefall Climbing Crampons

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Christmas Newsletter 2020

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Canadian Ice Climbing

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Teaching1 2

How to build a belay using a rope when traditional climbing

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Day3 4

What's in my backpack - Classic Alpinism

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What's in my backpack - Single Day Ski Tour

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On-sighting - Tips and Techniques

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Which Boots do I need?

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Some thoughts on rope choice linked into decision making

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Is Your Avalanche Transceiver Working Properly?

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2019 – The Pamir Mountains

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Snow Shovels - advice and recommendations

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Review of the Barryvox S Transceiver.

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Waterfall Ice Safety Leaflet

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Crampons

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James (2017)

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Steve (2017)

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Tim

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The Wild Side

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Boots Advice

What is a B1 or B2 boot?

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Winter Ice Climbing Kit – Get ready for the Ice!

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ISM Kyrgyzstan (Pamirs) Virgin Summits Expedition 2015

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Lachlan MacGregor

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Chris Ward

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Jo Clark

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ISM West Kokshal-Too Expedition

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Taking Coils

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The Dolomites Ski Safari

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The Brunton Hydrogen Reactor

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Ice Article - Professional Mountaineer Magazine

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Spring Newsletter

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Kyrgyzstan 2010 – ISM At Bashi Expeditions

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Expedition Gear for Kyrgyzstan by Steve Taylor

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Latest News from Adrian

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Award for Services to Mountaineering

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Dolomites in May - far from the crowds, by Adrian Nelhams

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2006 Ice-Climbing round-up, by Adrian Nelhams

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 05 by Pat Littlejohn

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Heaven and Ice

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ISM Central Borkoldoy Expedition - September 2004

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ISM-Alpine-4-1400x300

Summer Alpine Mountaineering

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Student Week 1

Student Alpine Week (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Jul - Aug 2024
6:1 Ratio
£1,295
Classic 4000m 1

Swiss 4000ers

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2,595
1 rock course 3

Technical AlpinISM (Instructional Course)

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2,195
Technical Alpine Ascents 1

Technical Alpine Ascents

Level 3: Guided Courses

Jun - Aug 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2,195
Expedition Training 1

Expedition Training

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Oct 2021
4:1 Ratio
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Coaching lead Climbing 1

Coaching Lead Climbing

Level 3: Instructional Courses

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Scrambling Skills 1

Scrambling Skills

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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Clinic bouldering walkin

Outdoor Bouldering for Beginners w/Global Arc’teryx Athletes

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
6:1 Ratio
£40
Clinic guide book

Progressing Your Trad Climbing w/Alex Luger

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
Langdale3 Copy

All Day: Women's Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
3:1 Ratio
£90
20210801 113108

All Day: Fine Tune Your Lead Climbing w/ Alex Luger

Level 4: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£70
20220430 Climb Lake District BRIGGS 7491

NEW FOR 2023: Weekend Camping onsite at the Arc'teryx Climbing Academy

Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
£60
Morocco 1

Morocco Rock Improvers

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Nov 2020
2:1 Ratio
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20220906 082540

2024 Virgin Peaks Expedition - Kyrgyzstan

Guided Courses

Aug - Sep 2024
£3495
Grand St Bernard 1

Ski Grand St Bernard

Level 2: Guided Courses

Feb 2024 - Mar 2023
£1595
Ski Touring Advice

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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ISM-Ice-1-1400x300

Ice Climbing

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Technical Canadian Icefalls 1

Canadian Icefalls

Level 2: Guided Courses

Mar 2024
£2345

Knowledge Base

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Arc'teryx Climbing Academy

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Off Piste Ski Equipment

Off-Piste Ski Equipment

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Ski Touring Advice

Ski Touring Equipment Advice

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Classic 4000m 1

Fully Inclusive Prices

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Classic Alpine Ascents 1

Payment Information

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Classic Dolomites Ice 1

Canadian Icefalls Information

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Event Photography and Video at the Arc'teryx Academy

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Adrian Nelhams

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Paolo Intropido

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Tommaso Dusi

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Christian Edelstam

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Mark Charlton

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ISM Historical

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2023 – Tien Shan Kyrgyzstan

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Booking Order Thankyou

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Kyrgyzstan Faces 2022

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Kyrgyzstan Faces 2022

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Petzl 'Alpen Adapt' Crampons

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Petzl Crampon Compatability

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William 2021

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UK Classic Rock Summer Challenge

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Prussiking Up A Rope

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Arcteryx alpha fl 45 backpack

Rucksacks for Summer Alpine Mountaineering

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 3

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 2

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Mountaineering boots

Summer Alpine Mountaineering Boots

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BD Zpole

Walking Poles

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Avalanche Categories

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Winter Climbing Grades

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Glacial Travel 2 People Set-Up

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Glacial Travel 3 People Set-Up

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Packing Your Waterproofs

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Summer Climbing Grade Comparisons

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Tom placing gear leading 2

My Trad Climbing Rack

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Petzl summit evo

A look at some of the different types of ice axes available

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Petzl Rope

My Climbing Ropes

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Duvet Jacket

My Winter Clothing and Gloves

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My Axes vid image

My Icefall Climbing Ice Axes

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Racking Ice Screws inmage

Racking Ice Screws

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Ice Screw Video

Ice Screws

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Classic Alpine Ascents

Arc'teryx Webinar with Adrian Nelhams

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Helping you plan your Alpine Goals

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Planning for the winter

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Summer Newsletter 2020

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How to use slings, to equalise tradition anchors and create a belay

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Abalokov

Making an Abalakov or 'V' Thread ice anchor.

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What's in my backpack - Technical Alpinism

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Talkeetna Air Taxi

Adrian Nelhams flies into the Kitchatna Spires, Alaska

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Oberland Ski 2 PS2

What's in my backpack - Multi-day Ski Touring

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What's in my backpack - Trad Climbing

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Dave on sighting

What's in my backpack - Sport Climbing

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What's in my backpack - Icefall Climbing

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What's in My Backpack - Freeride

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Red-Pointing - Tips and techniques

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Reflecting on my winter icefall climbing

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New Routes in the Canadian Rockies

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Climbing Motivation

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Christmas Newsletter 2019

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IFMGA Mountain Guides

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Kyrgyzstan 16

The Art Of Making Traditional Kyrgyz Bread

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The Art of Making Traditional Kyrgyz Bread!

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Leash or Leashless?

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Traditional Climbing on a Single Rope

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Icefall Climbing This Winter

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ISM Autumn Newsletter 2019

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Transceiver Group Check

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What to take Icefall climbing

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Expedition Climbing and Planning a Trip

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Using 'Avalanche Probes' and advice for buying

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ISM Virgin Summits Expedition 2018 Trip Report

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Arc’teryx Procline Lite Ski Boot Review.

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Summer Newsletter 2018

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Booking Thankyou

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Wild Horses

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Ice Screws and Accessories

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Ice Axes

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Alpine Icefall Climbing

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David (2017)

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Rachel (2017)

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R W (2017)

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Edward (2017)

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KL (2017)

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Steve

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EP

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BT

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ISM Virgin Summits Expedition 2017 Trip Report

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Transceiver and Avalanche Rescue

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ISM Kyrgyzstan (Pamirs) Virgin Summits Expedition 2016

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Why We Love British Trad Climbing!

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Ski Touring Equipment Advice

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Off-Piste Ski Technique: Five Key Focus Points

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Kalymnos

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ISM Summer Alpine Conditions

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ISM Celebrating 50 years

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Article in 'The Professional Mountaineer' on Heuristic Traps

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BMG Guides Summer Rock 1

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Donald Connolly

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David Hughes

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Maite Iriarte

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Donald Connolly

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Michael Firth

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Andy Challenor

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Ian Twizell

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Leigh Ritchie

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Clare

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Ade Ice Header PS

How to climb waterfall ice - part 2

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Lake Louise

How to climb waterfall ice

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Teaching leading

Building an ice screw belay

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Arc'teryx Psiphon AR Pant review

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Kyrgyzstan 2014

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Homepage

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Fond memories of Pete Boardman

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The Mittellegi Integral

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The Cordillera Blanca - Peru

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A clients view on 'being guided'

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Kyrgyzstan - Adventure Travel Magazine Article

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Canadian Rockies First Ascent by Adrian Nelhams

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Pat Littlejohn Interview

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2012 Expedition Report – Tien Shan

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Courses for Challenge and Enjoyment

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Climbing on Gran Canaria by Pat Littlejohn

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ISM Instructional Courses by Pat Littlejohn

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ISM Guide climbs hard mixed route in the Lakes

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My Kyrgyzstan Trip by Adrian Nelhams

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Kuilu & Son Kul Expedition 2009

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Bulletin from Leysin - Hope, Noise and Great Ice!

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Winter report from Terry & Graham

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ISM West Kokshal-Too Expedition, 2008

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Adventures in Alaska by Adrian Nelhams

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Alpine Weather News - by Terry Ralphs

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Tien Shan Expedition 2007 by Pat Littlejohn

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Ethiopia: More Climbs and Finds by Pat Littlejohn

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Winter Training - Is it the Real Deal? By Adrian Nelhams

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Borkoldoy Report, CLIMB Magazine 2006

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The Urner Alps - alpine rock paradise, by Terry Ralphs

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Ice Climbing Kit Check by Adrian Nelhams

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Sun Rock on Sardinia by Adrian Nelhams

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ISM Central Borkoldoy Expedition - September 2005

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Sandstone Towers in Ethiopia by Pat Littlejohn

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The Client’s Eye on the Guide Guy!

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Winter first ascents in Canada by Adrian Nelhams

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ISM - Virgin Peaks of the Tien Shan - 2003

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ISM West Kokshaal-too Expedition, 2002

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Mountain Info - High magazine, August 2000

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Courses

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Private Guiding 1

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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Summits & Skills 1

Summits & Skills 4000m (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
4:1 Ratio
£1795
Climbing Grunegghorn 2

Classic AlpinISM (Instructional Course)

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
3:1 Ratio
£1895
Classic Alpine Ascents 1

Classic Alpine Ascents

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
3:1 Ratio
£1895
Monte Rosa Traverse 2

Monte Rosa 4000ers

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jun - Aug 2024
3:1 Ratio
£1895
Bernese Oberland Climb 1

Bernese Oberland 4000ers

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2295
Mt Blanc Ascent 1

Mont Blanc Ascent

Level 1: Guided Courses

Jul - Aug 2022
1:1 Ratio
Call
Mt Blanc Extension 1

Mont Blanc (Extension)

Level 2: Guided Courses

1:1 Ratio
Call
Technical 4000ers 1

Technical 4000ers

Level 3: Guided Courses

Jun - Sep 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2595
Technical Alpine Rock 1

Classic Alpine Rock

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jul - Aug 2024
2:1 Ratio
£2195
Matterhorn Ascent 1

Matterhorn Ascent

Level 3: Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

1:1 Ratio
Call
Custom Courses 1

Custom Courses

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

Call
ISM-UK-rock-2-1400x300

Lake District Rock Climbing

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Try Climbing Outdoors 1

Try Climbing Outdoors

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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Indoor to Outdoor 1

Indoor Wall to Outdoor Climbing

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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Rock Improvers 1

Rock Climbing Improvers

Level 2: Instructional Courses

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Alpine Preparation 1

Alpine Preparation

Level 1: Guided Courses

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Classic Rock 1

Classic Rock - Lake District

Level 2: Guided Courses

Call
Short roping best

Roped Scrambling Skills & Techniques

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
6:1 Ratio
£45
20220502 Climb Lake District RONEY 0817

Outdoor Climbing for Beginners

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
6:1 Ratio
£40
Arcteryx Climb Lake district Sunday49 Copy

Women's Introduction to Trad Climbing

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
20220430 Climb Lake District RONEY 1528

Womens's Intro to Trad w/Mina Leslie Wujastyk

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
20220502 Climb Lake District RONEY 2850

UnParallel - Introduction to Trad Climbing

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
20220502 Climb Lake District RONEY 2758

Building Safe Anchors & Setting Up Top Ropes

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
6:1 Ratio
£40
20220502 Climb Lake District RONEY 0584

GORE-TEX Women's Progression Trad Climbing

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Apr - May 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
3

LYO FOOD Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
3:1 Ratio
£50
34 A5538 Bilberry Buttress VS Raven Crag Langdale 1 Copy

All Day: Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing - supported by LYO FOOD

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
3:1 Ratio
£90
20220501 Climb Lake District RONEY 2878

Grangers Rescue Techniques

Level 4: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
3:1 Ratio
£50
2 2

Fine Tune Your Lead Climbing w/Alex Luger

Level 4: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
3

Fine Tune Your Lead Climbing

Level 4: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£45
Womens Fine Tune Full Day header

All Day: Women's Fine Tune Your Lead Climbing

Level 4: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
4:1 Ratio
£70
Bard Basberg - MSR

MSR Overnight Wild Camp

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Apr 2023
6:1 Ratio
£40

Sun Rock Destinations

Level :

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Kalymnos 1

Kalymnos

Guided Courses

Call
Morocco 5

Morocco Lead Climbing

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Nov 2020
2:1 Ratio
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ISM-Exped-2-1400x300

Expeditions & Treks

Level :

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Sardinia Trekking 1

Sardinia Trekking

Guided Courses

Sep - Oct 2024
6:1 Ratio
£1495
ISM-Ski-1-1400x300

Off-Piste Skiing and Ski Touring

Level :

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Intro Off Piste 1

Introduction to Off-Piste Skiing (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Feb 2024
£1695
Ski Touring Equipment

Ski Touring Skills (Instructional Course)

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Feb 2024
£1595
West Oberland Ski 1

West Oberland Haute Route

Level 3: Guided Courses

Apr 2024
£1695
Ski Lyngen 1

Ski Lyngen Alps Norway

Level 2: Guided Courses

Apr - May 2024
£2145
Off Piste Ski Equipment

Custom Weeks

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

Call
Winter 768x512

Classic Dolomites Ski Touring

Level 2: Guided Courses

Mar 2024
6:1 Ratio
£1595
Private Guiding Icefalls 1

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

Call
Ice Climbing Skills 1

Ice Climbing Skills (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Jan - Feb 2024
3:1 Ratio
£1695
Classic Alpine Icefalls 1

Classic Alpine Icefalls

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Jan - Feb 2024
2:1 Ratio
£1995
Technical Alpine Icefalls 1

Technical Alpine Icefalls

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Jan - Feb 2024
2:1 Ratio
£1995
Technical Canadian Icefalls 1

Canadian Icefalls

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Mar 2024
£2345
Custom Weeks Icefalls 1

Custom Courses

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

Call
Kyrgyzstan 2

Educational Videos

Level :

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Summer Alpine 19

Vital Information

Level :

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Equipment 1

Equipment Information

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Summer Alpine Equipment

Summer Alpine Mountaineering Equipment

Level :

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Icefall Equipment

Icefall Climbing Equipment

Level :

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Ski Touring Equipment

Ski Touring Equipment

Level :

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Avalanche Awareness Equipment

Avalanche Awareness Equipment

Level :

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Norway Ski Equipment

Ski Lyngen & Ski Narvik Equipment

Level :

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Boots Advice

Boots & Crampons

Level :

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Kyrgyzstan Equipment

Kyrgyzstan Equipment

Level :

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Alpine Rock 3

Things to do in Leysin

Level :

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Gran Paradiso 1

Insurance Information

Level :

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D7be4e ac873fcce46545e4843491152df98d5fmv2

Getting to Leysin

Level :

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Privacy Policy

Level :

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Classic Alpine Icefalls 1

Booking Conditions

Level :

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Intro Off Piste 1

Passport & Visas

Level :

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20220906 082540

Virgin Peaks Expedition Information

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Sardinia Trekking 1

Sardinia Trek information

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ISM-Alpine-4-1400x300

News, Articles and Trip Reports

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About ISM

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Why Choose ISM?

Level :

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The ISM Team

Level :

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Steve Monks

Level :

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Terry Ralphs

Level :

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Max Cole

Level :

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Sally Nelhams

Level :

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Carlo Cosi

Level :

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Enrico Mosetti

Level :

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Matt Stygall

Level :

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Christian Türk

Level :

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Steve Jones

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Neil Hitchings

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Rachael Crew-Smith

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Katie Mackay

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ISM-Exped-1400x300

Our Partners

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Reviews

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Contact ISM

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Not sure which course to pick?

Are you wondering which course is right for you? Don't fret, we are on hand to help you choose.

Have something else in mind?

Do you know what you want but don't see it in our usual courses? Call us and we'll see where we can help.

Testimonials For ISM

I just wanted to thank you as well as Mark, our guide for the amazing week. The course was well organized and was just perfect for a beginner to mountaineering. We couldn't have wished for a better adventure. The memories are irreplaceable.

EP
Summits & Skills 4000m (Instructional Course)

"I loved the course and Terry was great. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun and feel confident and secure in my technique".

BT
Summits & Skills 4000m (Instructional Course)

This was a fantastic trip. Paolo was excellent. The accommodation great. All helped along by wall to wall sunshine, stunning arctic scenery and some superb snow, so no problems as far as I'm concerned.

Steve (2017)
Ski Lyngen Alps Norway

All Reviews

Team Spotlight

Tom Bw

Tommaso Dusi

IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide

Tommaso is a an experienced Italian mountain guide and regular year-round ISM team member. He loves the mountains and helping people to connect and find happiness in nature.

Read More

Knowledge Base

Getting Into & Developing Your Climbing

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