Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior ice climbing experience to attend?
What’s included in the cost of the clinic?
What kind of shape do I need to be in?
What can I do to train for Chicks with Picks?
What is the difference between the longer and shorter clinics?
Why should I choose Chicks with Picks?
What size backpack will I need?
What kind of gear do you provide?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need any prior ice climbing experience to attend?
No, we welcome women of all abilities. You can sign up for beginner, intermediate or advanced classes within each clinic. See Clinic Levels for descriptions of the classes you can sign up for.
What’s included in the cost of the clinic?
Everything from soup to nuts… except transportation. Price includes; lodging, most of your meals (see itinerary for details), guiding, workshops, demo gear, welcome packet and a one-of-a- kind T-shirt.
See our Getting Here page for the closest airport to each location. From the airport, you will need to rent a car or take a shuttle to the lodge. In Ouray, you can walk to the climbing sites from your hotel. We will email out everyone’s contact information so you can coordinate rides and carpool.
What kind of shape do I need to be in?
To really enjoy ice climbing we recommend at least an “average” level of fitness – the better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Our Colorado location is at 8000 feet…everyone feels the altitude here! Please check with your doctor to make sure that attending Chicks with Picks is appropriate for you.
What can I do to train for Chicks with Picks?
Anything! Well actually upper body workouts always help, such as climbing in a rock gym, swimming, lifting weights and yoga are great supplements to ice climbing. Aerobic activity is also recommended. There are many great websites out there for training reference. Click here to read more on climbing training: http://skywardmountaineering.com/train.html
What is the difference between the longer and shorter clinics?
Besides the number of days – the longer clinics are more in-depth when it comes to technical skills and mileage on the ice. The shorter clinics were designed to give you a taste without investing as much time or money.
See sample itinerary on the different clinic pages of our web site. We rise early to beat the crowds (since ice climbing has become popular) and go climbing after breakfast. We are outside all day on the ice and often climb until late afternoon. There is free time before dinner to relax, soak, or sit by the fire. We organize nice dinners for you with evening presentations. It’s a full and fun schedule. You will have one night off during the longer clinics to go out on the town or relax.
The most accomplished female climbers and guides around! Check out their bios on the Girly Guides web page.
Why should I choose Chicks with Picks?
We have been in operation since 1999. Not only is it the first and most intensive women’s ice climbing clinic anywhere….CWP is unique because we build an incredible sense of camaraderie amongst the women. The experience becomes so much more than ice climbing – women gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence and become empowered to get out there and do it on their own.
We believe in giving back and promoting “women climbing with women, for women”. To date, we have raised $145,000 for local women’s shelters and were awarded the Community Partners Award by the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Our participants are proud to be part of an organization that looks beyond itself and helps women in need.
Yes, please follow our What to Wear web page carefully. We do offer a limited amount of demo gear, but bring whatever you do have on that list and let us know what you need to borrow. Your ice climbing boots need to be crampon compatible, so your summer hiking boots just won’t work.
What size backpack will I need?
We recommend a pack that is 3500-4000 cubic inches in size. You’ll be carrying extra clothing to keep warm, water bottles, lunch, snack, a rope and other climbing gear for your group. We will have a few packs for you to demo if you don’t have one – just let us know.
Yes! Please visit our “Scholarships” page. We are now offering two full scholarships to a Chicks Climbing clinic each year. Deadline for the application is December 1 yearly. The winner will be announced by December 15th. Click here to fill out the on-line application form
Chicks Climbing would not be the program it is today without our sponsors! Our sponsors support women’s climbing, they donate gear to raise money for the women’s shelters and they supply you with demo gear. They are the bomb! Please check out our Bow to the Sponsors page on our web site.
What kind of gear do you provide?
We have a limited number of ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses, backpacks, soft wear and gloves. Before you go out and buy anything, let us know what you don’t have.
