Courses

GLACIER SKILLS

2-day course that builds a solid base for people that would like to invest in experience and knowledge when it comes to glaciated terrain and travel skills. Perfect for individuals entering the glacier guiding training scheme with the Association of Icelandic Mountainguides

from: 75.000 kr.

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    Trip dates 30.Sep-1.Oct
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    SeasonAll year
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    Duration2 days
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    DifficultySuitable for everyone

Course overview

On this comprehensive two day course we aim to build up your glacier travelling skills to the level that you will be able to navigate safely in glaciated terrain on your own. From crampon techniques and movement skills to technicals systems, you will have more confidence in the terrain and better understanding in how to navigate the complex terrain of the glacier.

The Glacier skills course takes place on Sólheimajökull glacier. We spend the first day on introduction to the terrain, navigation through crevasses, movement skills and hazard identification. On the second day we spend most of the time on technical systems where we learn how to perform a crevasse rescue along with ice climbing.

Course topics include:
-Route selection
-Hazard identification
-Risk management
-Group management
-Crevasse rescue
-Ice climbing
-Ice anchors and crevasse rescue

INSTRUCTOR PROFILES
On all courses with Asgard-Beyond, the instructor team is highly certified and experienced. Our instructors are fully certified IFMGA and/or AIMG mountain guides.

ARE YOU TRAINING?

If you are training for AIMG certifications or other certifications and would like a re-fresher, do not hesitate to contact us – we customise workshops for individuals, teams and companies.

Practical information

Below are details about the course. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Fitness level: Basic, comfortable to move 200m in elevation per hour over 2-4 hours
Experience level: Beginner, no experience but eager to learn new skill set.

This course is suitable for everyone. To get the most out of the course it is recommended that people learn the following knots before attending the course:

  • Clove hitch
  • Figure of 8 on a bight
  • Three wrap prussic knot

Group course (4-6 participants)
75.000 kr. per person

The minimum number of participants for this course to run is four participants.
For a private course please contact us!

Day 1
The course starts at 09:30 at the parking lot at Sólheimajökull. Team introduction and discussions about course objectives and equipment. We will start on easy and simple terrain and move into more difficult terrain as our skills progress.
We aim to be back at the parking lot around 17:00 in the afternoon.

On this day we will cover the following things:

  • Equipment and professionalism
  • Crampon technique
  • Risk management
  • Terrain assessment and route finding
  • Ice screws and anchor building
  • Rappel setup and rope ascending on 35°-90°terrain

Day 2
We meet again at Sólheimajökull glacier parking lot at 09:30. The day starts with a discussion where we reflect on the previous day with a Q&A. The main focus of the day is to connect the dots and use everything we learned on day one and introduce technical systems and rope work.

We aim to be back at the parking lot around 17:00 in the afternoon with a course closure and debrief.

Topics covered on this day are:

  • Rope descending and ascending continued (self-rescue)
  • Crevasse rescue systems 3:1
  • Introduction to ice climbing – movement skill

The course takes place at Sólheimajökull and starts at 09:30 each day.
Course participants drive themselves (or carpool) to the glacier each day and meet the guides at Sólheimajökull parking lot.
Once each day starts, we’ll be relatively busy on course topics, so it is therefore important that participants are well prepared, rested and focused on the course. There will be no real ‘lunch-brakes’ as we eat on the go, using gaps in the schedule to snack throughout the day.

Personal clothing/equipment

  • Inner layers (first layer)
  • Thermal layer (second layer)
  • Gore tex layer (third layer)
  • Insulation layer (thick down jacket for example)
  • Hat
  • 2 pairs of gloves. Thin & thick
  • Thermos/hot drink (optional)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Full shank boots (can be rented from Asgard) Please communicate before the course if needed.
  • Accessible & easy lunch.

Personal glacier equipment

  • 6 locking Carabiners
  • 4 non-locking Carabiners
  • ATC (belay device)
  • 2 x 5M, 7mm Accessory cord
  • 1 x 1.5M,7mm Accessory cord
  • 1 x 120cm Sewn sling
  • Harness – Comfortable/padded, with gear loops
  • Helmet
  • Crampons (12 point crampons preferred in good condition)
  • Ice Axe (walking)
  • 2 Ice screws
  • 1 static rope 9-10.5mm / 25M minimum (if you have one)
  • 30-55L backpack

Equipment available from Asgard if you do not have your own

  • Harness
  • Helmet
  • Crampons
  • Ice screws
  • Carabiners
  • Ropes
  • Boots (available for rental, 1500 kr/day)

What’s included

  • Crampons
  • Ice axes
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Ice climbing boots (if needed)

What’s not included

  • Transport (contact us if you do not have your own vehicle)
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Travel and accident insurance

Do you have any question?

Below are answers to some of the questions we get regarding the tour. If you do not find the answer do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

  • How difficult is glacier hiking

    Glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull is easy to moderate. On our private tours we can adjust difficulty to the ability of the group. On average, we hike around 3 km on the tour on easy and relatively flat terrain.
    If the group is active and fit we deviate from the beaten path and explore more difficult areas on the glacier.

  • I’m a vegetarian/vegan, can special diets be accommodated?

    We will ensure that our guests with different dietary needs are looked after.
    All huts can offer a vegetarian option but is is important that you let us know in advance so the hut keeper can plan for this.
    Vegan option can be difficult to come around. Pleas get in touch with us and we can advice you on the possibilities.

  • What are the huts like?

    The huts are often very remote and sitting at high altitude, which means the comfort level is basic. They are clean and cozy and have everything you would wish for an overnight stay.

    Most of the huts have a hostel style dormitories where people have their own small space in a bunk bed. The hut provides blankets and pillows so you don´t have to carry a sleeping bag. Most of the time it is possible to charge your phone/camera in the hut but they do not have stable electricity so it is good to bring a power bank to charge your devices.

    The hut has a fully functioning kitchen and a bar where you can order lunch from a menu, coffee, cake or beer on tap. The quality of the water varies between huts and we recommend bottled water available for purchase at the hut.

  • What happens to my booking if the weather or conditions are bad?

    In case it is not possible to operate the tour due to weather or conditions we try the following things:

    Move the tour to a different date if that works for you, change to a different activity if you agree on that. If none of the above is possible and we have to cancel the tour due to weather or poor conditions, we will refund you the tour.

  • In how much advance should I book my tour with you?

    The short answer is: the longer the better. We have limited resources of guides and sometimes we are fully booked.
    For less technical tours like Glacier hiking, Glacier hiking and ice climbing, and alpine trekking tours we can usually accommodate you with a short notice. For more technical tours like Waterfall ice climbing, Rock climbing and alpine tours longer advance is better to secure a spot.
    Short notice can be 24 hours before departure and longer notice is at least two weeks before.

  • What is the best season for the activities you offer?

    The best season depends on what activity you choose. The appropriate season is stated at the top of each tour. To break it down:

    Glacier hikes and glacier ice climbing
    Available the whole year. This activity is not dependant on weather or conditions. The only time we have to cancel or post pone these activities is when the weather is really bad.

    Rock climbing and alpine rock climbing
    Rock climbing is a summer activity available May-October. This activity is highly weather dependant and not possible when the rock is wet or when it is raining. If you are interested in rock climbing outside of the season, it is possible if we have really good weather days. Please contact us for further information.

    Ski touring
    The best ski touring in the south-west part of Iceland is usually around spring time. The ski touring season is usually between Feb-May, however it is possible to ski outside the season if conditions are good or we ski the glaciers like on the tour “Ski touring Snæfellsjökull”. If you are interested to ski outside of the season please contact us for further information.

    Waterfall ice climbing and alpine winter climbing
    The main season is from late November to late March. Iceland has a maritime climate and temperatures fluctuate through out the season making this activity highly subject to weather and conditions. In case we have poor conditions for ice climbing we can always substitute the waterfall ice climbing with ice climbing on the glacier.

    Alpine trekking
    Snæfellsjökull can be climbed almost the whole year, appart from the darkest month of the year, December.
    Other bigger mountains like Eyjafjallajökull and Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest summit of Iceland, have the best conditions from early spring to late summer.

  • Do I need any prior experience to participate in your tours?

    Since all of our tours are private we are able to adjust the difficulty and and experience level needed for each tour. However, for some of your tours it is advisable that you have have some background in the activity:

    Glacier hiking and glacier ice climbing
    There is no prior experience needed for those tours

    Waterfall ice climbing
    It is possible to try waterfall ice climbing if you do not have any prior ice climbing experience. We would choose an easy climbing route with easy access. If you have never done ice climbing before it is worth looking into our Ice climbing and glacier hiking tour on Sólheimajökull.

    Ski touring
    For our ski touring tours you have to be a competent off-piste skier and able to ski down in various conditions.

    Rock and alpine climbing
    No prior experience is needed for single pitch rock climbing. For multi pitch climbing it is advisable that your climbing level is at 5.7-5.8 and you have to know how to belay a lead climber.

  • Can I request a tour that is not on your website?

    Yes, without a doubt. Private guiding is what Asgard is all about and if you can dream your adventure, we can make it happen. If you do not find your perfect adventure on our website, do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]!

    Examples of private tours we have done in the past:

    • Expedition planning and support
    • Cross country ski touring
    • Expedition and polar training
    • Private hiking, day tours and multi-day tours
    • Location management and safety on film projects
    • Private tours for photographers
    • Alpine trekking on glaciated summits
    • Multiday tours in Greenland
  • Do you offer pickup service?

    In general we only meet our guests on location, or car pool from a central location in Reykjvaík. However, if you do not have your own car and can not meet us on location please get in touch.

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Our
partners

Arc’teryX

Asgard guides wear Arcteryx gear because it is durable and keeps them warm and dry in challenging conditions.

Fjallakofinn

Fjallakofinn is an outdoor store in Reykjavík offering high quality outdoors products & a rental service.