Ice Climbing in most of the places around the world is possible only during the winter but Ice Climbing in Iceland is an all year possible adventure! You can try ice climbing in very nice and safe conditions on Icelandic glaciers.

Glacier ice is so packed, old and reliable that we can compare it to concrete. Once placed, the tool will stay in it until it melts out (which takes some hours). If it is your first time I highly recommend you to get a professional glacier guide, who will for sure take care of finding the right place and needed equipment (crampons, ice axes, helmets, rope etc.). If you are good at climbing but still you are traveling light – you might enjoy a glacier guide anyways since these are the people who have plenty of crampons etc.

On the glacier you are literally surrounded by ice, so we have plenty of possibilities in placing our anchors. Which means you don’t need to climb and place your own safety  at the same time. The guide (or very skilled friend) takes care of your safety completely so you can focus on technique only.

Is it anyhow similar to rock climbing? It is kind of. For sure your rock climbing experience will be helpful. Mostly because we use similar muscles so your body will not get surprised:) Otherwise it is slightly different. For example there is no rock and holding to ice with your hand isn’t that helpful.

Winter Ice Climbing is different from summer Ice climbing on the glacier. It is about temperatures, so when it is warm, ice starts to rotten and it is holding as well as other times but the climb itself is much easier. Once hummered iceaxe or crampon, stays in place very easy, sometimes is hard to get your tool out. Winter ice is something everyone in Iceland is waiting for! Well anyone interested in climbing. It is blue, cold and very fun but then you need to focus on your technique hard! Unless you have unlimited access to your muscles (that’s a rare thing).

During our ice climbing tours we would would be able to experience a few climbes and start off with some easy place where we can try some climbing and if that would go smooth I might choose to change a spot to try something more challenging.

At Local Guide we offer ice climbing opportunities all year long as a private adventure. In the summer of 2023 we will be having one public departure scheduled weekly where you can sign up for a glacier ice climbing trip.

The ice climbing in general can be as easy or as difficult as we want. If we organise the tour as a private departure we can adjust the difficulty to your needs and experience. If you wanna try but you are afraid then you should throw away your worries and just come and join us during one of the public tours we will have for you in the summer 2023. At the end of a day this activity is one od a kind and not an obvious one to repeat again in the future!

Should you prepare for an Ice Climbing trip?

Well if you have time before your try – start exercise. And I mean even 5 push ups daily will make a difference. Just do it every day.

If you don’t have more than a week, then just come! If you go with a professional guide, he or she will make choices tailored to your possibilities (or they will push a little so you know that actually you are better than you thought:) ).

The National Park of Vatnajökull is a perfect place to start an ice climbing adventure. It is highly recommended to stop by the southeast area where we opearate if you are driving this direction anyway.