Climber on Bridal Veil Falls Photography by Kennan Harvey

• Non-cotton top and bottom under layers (capilene or polypro)
• Waterproof/windproof top and bottom outer shell (or one-piece suit)
• Down, polarguard or fleece belay jacket (one that fits over your outerwear)
• Wool (and liner) socks
• Waterproof snow gloves and mittens or spare gloves
• Fleece or liner gloves
• Hat, headband or balaclava for under helmet
• Sunglasses, goggles and/or clear, protective eyeglasses (optional)
• Sunscreen
• 1 or 2 liters of water
• Lunch and quick energy snacks
• Plastic or leather boots with rigid sole
• Vertical ice crampons
• 2 vertical ice tools with leashes (short axes for ice climbing)
• Harness and belay/rappel device *
• Helmet *
• Daybackpack

Rental Shops:

     Black Diamond Retail
     2070 E. 3900 South, Salt Lake City
     (801) 278-0233

     REI
     3285 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City
     (801) 486-2100

     University of Utah Outdoor Rec Center
     2140 E. Red Butte Road, Fort Douglas, Building 650
     (801) 581-8516

Guidebook:

     Ice Climbing, Utah. By David S. Black.

Accommodations:

     Skyline Inn
     Foothill Drive, SLC: 2475 E. 1700 South
     (801) 582-5350

     La Quinta Inn
     Midvale: 7231 S. Catalpa Rd
     (801) 566-3291

     Residence Inn
     Cottonwood Heights: 6425 South 3000 E.
     (801) 453-0430

     Sundance Resort
      8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance
     (801) 225-4107

     Residence Inn
     252 W 2230 N, Provo
     (801) 374-1000

Trailheads & Meeting Points - Driving Directions

To Provo Canyon, Nunns Park, for Stairway to Heaven, Bridal Veil Falls, and other climbs:

• From Salt Lake City:
  Provo and points west: Drive north or south on Interstate 15 to Exit 275, 800 North St. Follow this thoroughfare (also called Utah SR 52) east through Orem, and turn northeast (Left) on US 189 into Provo Canyon.  Look for the signed Nunns park exit as the limestone walls start growing on your right and park in the large lot on the South side of US Highway 189.
  
  
• From Park City and other points east:
  Drive West on US 189 through Provo Canyon until the walls start shrinking. Look for the signed Nunns Park exit, and turn south back under the highway to the large parking lot.

To the Great White Icicle: Most parties meet at the UTA Park & RIde Lot at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Exit on 6200 South off of Interstate 215, and drive Southeast up a hill to join Wasatch Blvd. Continue South past the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, and up another hill and wrap east into Little Cottonwood Canyon.  Just as the canyon walls start to rise, turn left at a junction marked by a flashing information sign, and park in a large lot with a bus stop. The actual GWI trailhead is 2 miles up the canyon on the south side of the road next to a garage-looking power plant building.

Typical day and approach time.

We usually meet between 7 and 9 am, either at Nunns Park, The Park and Ride Lot at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon, or another pre-arranged spot. The approach to most ice formations is on a climber’s trail that gains 300-500 feet and takes about 20-30 minutes. The guide takes a belay and demonstrates techniques as he / or she leads a pitch and sets up on or more top-rope anchor(s.) A combination of climbing, instruction, and snack and rest breaks keep us occupied until we run out of daylight or energy, usually between 3-5 pm.

On Multi-pitch routes, such as the Great White Icicle or Stairway to Heaven, the guide will belay from above, and the party will continue up until the formation is completed, if possible.  Descent is by rappel and/or down climb, and glissade.

How to Register - download registration form ( PDF)

 We require a 50% deposit to hold your space in a course or to reserve a private guide. Please call our office to make a reservation by phone 801 550 3986 or print our registration form and send it or fax it (801) 486-8505 with your deposit. UMA will send by e-mail a confirmation of the reservation.

RESERVATIONS

• Advance reservations are required
• A guide or instructor may be booked for any day, subject to availability

DEPOSITS

• A deposit is required to reserve a guide and to hold a spot on a course or a climb
• Deposits are 50% of cost of climb or course

REFUNDS OR CHANGES

• Deposits will only be refunded if the guided outing is cancelled by the guide due to unsafe conditions deemed by the guide.
• If conditions are poor for the guided outing and the guide is flexible and available to postpone the date of the outing, you may choose to do that.

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FORM - download release form ( PDF)

Before participating in any class or guided program, you will be required to read and sign an approved release or visitor’s acknowledgement of risk form. For participants under 18 years old, parents must sign.