The Smuggs Ice Bash—an annual ice climbing festival in Vermont—will take place this year at Smuggler’s Notch from January 30 to February 1.
While the event is popular among experienced ice climbers looking to check out clinics, demo gear, or climb with friends, no ice climbing experience is necessary to take part in the event. In fact, it seems like a perfect venue for rookies who want to try out ice climbing for the first time.
The event’s Intro to Ice Climbing clinic is designed for those with no ice or rock climbing experience. And anyone with some rock climbing experience will likely find some of those basic skills can go a long way and are transferable to ice climbing. No climbing gear is no problem, as attendees can be outfitted with some of the industry’s best clothing and equipment thanks to the event’s brands and vendors.
This year will be the event’s 19th year. It is organized by the Vermont climbing center Petra Cliffs with the goal of promoting the sport of ice climbing, educating climbers, exhibiting and trying out new gear, and sharing a fun weekend with other winter enthusiasts in one of Vermont’s best winter destinations: Smuggler’s Notch.
In addition to the Intro to Ice Climbing clinic, other clinics include ski mountaineering, multi-pitch ice techniques, ice climbing rescue, and more.
The event will also feature a dry tooling competition and speaker presentations. Speakers include Keith Sidle, who has pursued near-mythical ice climbs in the eastern Canadian provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland, and Arlene Blum, who led the first American and all-women’s ascent of Annapurna I, considered one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult mountains, and co-led the first women’s team to climb Denali.
