Fee: $155 per person (All guests MUST register)
Ages: 16 years & over (Minors between the ages of 16-17 MUST have a registered and participating adult)
Participants must attend the mandatory pre-trip meeting on January 29, 7 – 9 p.m. at Shaker Rocks Climbing Gym, 3377 Warrensville Center Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122.
- Age: 16 years & over (Minors between the ages of 16-17 MUST have a registered and participating adult)
- Participants must complete and bring a waiver to the pre-trip meeting.
Length: 1 day
Trip Dates: February 1, 2025, 6 a.m. depart – 8:00 pm. return, from
Garfield Park Center.
Location: Fenton, Michigan
Terrain/Distance: Participants will have the opportunity to climb a 45’ and 72’ tall ice tower outside in potentially cold and windy conditions. To get to the towers, participants will hike a few hundred feet through varying depths of snow wearing crampons. Ice axes, harnesses, helmets, and crampons (provided by Peabody) will be used to climb the vertical towers.
Prerequisite: No experience necessary.
Overview
Embrace winter’s unique adventure opportunities as we travel to Fenton, Michigan to climb Peabody Ice Climbing Club’s 45’ and 72’ man-made ice towers. To prepare, we’ll first spend an evening inside at Shaker Rocks Climbing Gym to learn the climbing and belaying techniques essential for ice climbing. Guests will use those skills during the trip, working as a team as one person climbs the tower using provided ice axes and crampons, while others belay, manage the rope, and act as an anchor for the belayer. Once we arrive, our group will be given a 4-hour window (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) to climb. Weather conditions could be cold and windy, so dress for the weather. Bringing a variety of layers to ensure you stay warm and dry is highly recommended.
Registration closes at 9 a.m. on January 15, 2025.
Itinerary
Pre-Trip
This mandatory meeting on January 29 will take place from 7 – 9 p.m. at Shaker Rocks Climbing Gym, which is an indoor climbing gym. Guests will be part of a belay class that allows them to learn how to tie a few basic knots, learn common climbing commands, perform buddy check systems, and practice proper belay techniques. At the end of the belay class, guests will be tested on their belay skills, which (upon successful completion) will allow them to belay during the trip. If someone isn’t comfortable belaying or doesn’t pass the belay test that night, alternative options are available and will be discussed on an individual basis. Come dressed to climb indoors in comfortable clothing. Climbing shoes, harness and belay device will be provided. A short meeting to prepare everyone for the trip will take place immediately after the belay class; both will take place during the 7-9 p.m. timeframe. The Pre-Trip Meeting is exclusive and required for all paid trip participants.
Come back & climb at Shaker Rocks
While we will be testing belay skills for the ice climbing trip at the pre-trip meeting, this does not belay certify participants at Shaker Rocks. Shaker Rocks encourages all participants to come back and get belay certified. To do that, participants can stop by Shaker Rocks any time after the belay class for a free belay check. Participants will also recieve a free 2-week gym membership with rental gear starting the day of the belay class!
Trip
The group will depart from Garfield Park Center at 6 a.m. traveling around 3.5 hours to Peabody Ice Climbing. We will gear up with helmets, harnesses, crampons, and ice axes, and have 4 hours to climb on the ice towers. A small building is located onsite if you need to warm up. Participants should plan to bring their own lunches. Hot drinks will be available for participants to have at their convenience. We will depart Peabody around 2:30 p.m., stopping for dinner along the way. We plan to return to Garfield Park Center around 8 p.m.
Logistics
The following is included with your trip:
- Trip Leader and guided instruction
- Pre-trip meeting to prepare you for your trip
- Equipment for ice climbing
- Transportation
- Hot Drinks
Not Included:
- Dinner and snacks (bring $$ to stop for dinner on the way home)
- Personal Gear (warm, non-dangling winter clothing)
Travel
Participants will be transported in Cleveland Metroparks vehicles to the trip location departing from Garfield Park Center. Participants’ personal vehicles will be parked in one of the main lots at Garfield Park Center for the day.
Accommodations and Food
Hot drinks will be provided.
Equipment
The following ice climbing equipment will be provided by Peabody Ice Climbing Club:
- Boots
- Crampons
- Helmet
- Harness
- Ice Axes
- Belay Device
Participants are responsible for providing warm, personal clothing.
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy.
General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel on sloped, natural surface trails with rocks and roots for varying distances to get to a climbing site void of amenities such as restroom facilities, water, etc.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly including but not limited to helmet and harness.
- …must refrain from having any external devices other than required climbing safety equipment.