Phone: (845) 901-3687 | Email: vittimtguides@gmail.com

Catskills Ice
Climbing Guide

Climb The Catskills with Vitti Mountain Guides
and push your limits!
What the Catskill Mountains lack in vertical relief they more than make up for with a vast array of high quality ice climbs. Routes range from fifty-foot roadside slabs to multi-pitched desperates and ravine climbs that gain over a thousand feet feet in elevation. Less than a two hours from New York City with generally short approaches and virtually non-existent avalanche hazard, the Catskills are an amazing winter climbing playground.

Ice climbing bookings in the Catskills are typically eight-hour days that include andy needed equipment. Cold temperatures require the right clothes. The registration process includes a detailed equipment, please use the list and come prepared for what local weather forecasts predict.

Introduction to Ice Climbing
These are days devoted to first time ice climbers and introduce the basics of equipment, safety and movement. The locations we visit are generally close to the road and are on lower angled climbs that allow for focus on the basics. The goal is to provide a comfortable introduction to the sport as well as challenges for even the most precocious first-timer.

Intermediate Ice
Designed for climbers interested in finding and pushing past their limits, these days are spent on steeper and more sustained climbs. Learn movement skills for vertical ice and mixed terrain. More advanced skills like rappelling from ice climbs, ice screw placement and removal and climbing multi-pitch routes are skills typically covered.

Advanced Ice
For well-established climbers, these days are focused on steep routes that are grade 4 or harder, possibly multi-pitch and/or located in more remote locations. They are customized based on the client’s goals and may focus simply on hard climbing but may also include instruction on leading, rope management skills and advanced risk management strategies.

What People Say

I consider Joe to be one of the best guides that I have ever worked with. His skills are superb in both his personal climbing ability and his rock and ice guiding techniques. He is an impressive teacher with clients of all ages. And his inter-personal approach with all people is honest and supportive.
Elaine Matthews
I’ve climbed all over the world from the Cordillera Blanca to the Sea cliffs of Sardinia, from Yosemite to the Gunks, and Joe Vitti is my favorite climbing partner and guide as he brings humor, skill, and an overriding sense that everything’s going to be fun. He’s the quintessential pro.
Tom Shane
I have had the good fortune to have Joe as a guide at the ice fest over the year’s his safety standards are excellent, and he always finds a way to make the day fun and a great learning experience!
Mike Burke

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