Ice climbing Washington

When the weather outside is frightful, forget staying indoors with a warm mug of hot cocoa. Grab your ice pick, helmet and outdoor winter gear and head on over to one of these best places to ice climb near D.C. Even if you’re new to ice climbing, there’s a three-day introductory ice climbing seminar with your name all over it.

Price: $3 per car

Located in the George Washington National Forest near the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Crabtree Falls is known to be home to one of the tallest cascading waterfall on the East Coast. Standing at more than 1, 000 feet tall, the falls make for a great ice-climbing destination during the winter months. With the right conditions, ice climbers may choose to climb a variety of frozen cascades including one that measures a drop of 400 feet. The frozen cascades are much smaller toward the base of the falls. Crabtree Falls also features a variety of hiking trails, overlooks and a gorgeous view of the Tye River Valley.

Learn how to use ice climbing equipment, ice protection and safety in the Introduction to ice climbing three-day seminar. This introductory class takes place in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid and provides the instruction and skills used to climb ice using the top-rope technique. The seminar also covers an informative session regarding climbing gear, how to stay warm in a cold environment and plenty of practice time on the ice. Afterward, the group will meet up at area eateries and restaurants to enjoy a warm meal and share ice-climbing war stories. Earth Treks in Columbia also offers an indoor rock-climbing gym.

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Price: $10 per car

Shenandoah National Park is world famous for its picturesque Skyline Drive, gorgeous vistas and mountain views and spectacular cascading waterfalls. White Oak Canyon, located between the Crescent Rock and Thorofare Mountain overlooks, features six waterfalls that range between 35 and 86 feet tall, perfect for beginner and intermediate ice climbers. Use extreme caution when navigating around the bottom of the falls, as they are known to be used as swimming holes during the summer months and thus may contain thin ice during the winter. White Oak Canyon also features round trip and circuit hiking trails.