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International School of Mountaineering
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Some Tips for the First Time Outdoor Boulderer

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Booking Order Thankyou

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2022 - Fergana Range, Kyrgyzstan

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William Summits and Skills 4000m 2021

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Arcteryx alpha fl 45 backpack

Rucksacks for Summer Alpine Mountaineering

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 1

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TAA

Clothing for summer alpine mountaineering

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Glacial Travel 3 People Set-Up

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My Climbing Harnesses & Helmet

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Sarken crampon

A look at some of the different types of crampons available

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Racking Ice Screws inmage

Racking Ice Screws

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Christmas Newsletter 2020

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Canadian Ice Climbing

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What's in my backpack - Technical Alpinism

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Day3 4

What's in my backpack - Classic Alpinism

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What's in my backpack - Single Day Ski Tour

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Reflecting on my winter icefall climbing

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Which Boots do I need?

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Some thoughts on rope choice linked into decision making

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Traditional Climbing on a Single Rope

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2019 – The Pamir Mountains

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Snow Shovels - advice and recommendations

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Arc’teryx Procline Lite Ski Boot Review.

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Waterfall Ice Safety Leaflet

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Crampons

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Rachel (2017)

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Steve (2017)

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Tim

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Transceiver and Avalanche Rescue

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Boots Advice

What is a B1 or B2 boot?

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Winter Ice Climbing Kit – Get ready for the Ice!

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Article in 'The Professional Mountaineer' on Heuristic Traps

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Lachlan MacGregor

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Chris Ward

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Ian Twizell

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ISM West Kokshal-Too Expedition

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Taking Coils

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Homepage

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The Brunton Hydrogen Reactor

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Kyrgyzstan - Adventure Travel Magazine Article

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2012 Expedition Report – Tien Shan

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Kyrgyzstan 2010 – ISM At Bashi Expeditions

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Expedition Gear for Kyrgyzstan by Steve Taylor

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ISM West Kokshal-Too Expedition, 2008

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Award for Services to Mountaineering

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Dolomites in May - far from the crowds, by Adrian Nelhams

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The Urner Alps - alpine rock paradise, by Terry Ralphs

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Sun Rock on Sardinia by Adrian Nelhams

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Winter first ascents in Canada by Adrian Nelhams

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ISM West Kokshaal-too Expedition, 2002

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ISM-Alpine-4-1400x300

Summer Alpine Mountaineering

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Student Alpine Mountaineering Alps 1

Student Alpine Week (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Jul - Aug 2026
6:1 Ratio
£1,395
Climbing Matterhorn Alps 1

Matterhorn Ascent

Level 3: Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

1:1 Ratio
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Try Climbing Outdoors 1

Try Climbing Outdoors

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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Coaching lead Climbing 1

Coaching Lead Climbing

Level 3: Instructional Courses

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20220906 082540

2026 Virgin Peaks Expedition - Kyrgyzstan

Guided Courses

Aug - Sep 2026
£3,595
Off Piste Ski Equipment

Custom Courses

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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Icefall climbing 31

Icefall Climbing Skills (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

Jan - Feb 2026
3:1 Ratio
£1995

Knowledge Base

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Equipment 1

Equipment Information

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Ski Touring Equipment

Ski Touring Equipment

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Kyrgyzstan Equipment

Kyrgyzstan Equipment

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Gran Paradiso 1

Insurance Information

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Classic Alpine Ascents 1

Payment Information

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Sardinia Trekking 1

Sardinia Trek information

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Why Choose ISM?

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Steve Monks

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Enrico Mosetti

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Mark Charlton

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ISM-Exped-1400x300

Our Partners

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There’s No Word for Vegetarian!

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2024 - Tien Shan Kyrgyzstan

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Getting Into & Developing Your Climbing

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 2023 – Tien Shan Kyrgyzstan

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Kyrgyzstan Faces 2022

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Kyrgyzstan Faces 2022

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Petzl 'Alpen Adapt' Crampons

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Petzl Crampon Compatability

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William 2021

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UK Classic Rock Summer Challenge

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Packing to stay overnight in an alpine hut

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Prussiking Up A Rope

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 3

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Refreshing your Crevasse Rescue and Snow Belay Knowledge - Part 2

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Mountaineering boots

Summer Alpine Mountaineering Boots

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BD Zpole

Walking Poles

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Avalanche Categories

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Winter Climbing Grades

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Alpine Grades

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Glacial Travel 2 People Set-Up

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Packing Your Waterproofs

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Summer Climbing Grade Comparisons

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Tom placing gear leading 2

My Trad Climbing Rack

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Petzl summit evo

A look at some of the different types of ice axes available

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Petzl Rope

My Climbing Ropes

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Duvet Jacket

My Winter Clothing and Gloves

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Boots Advice

My Icefall Climbing Crampons

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My Axes vid image

My Icefall Climbing Ice Axes

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Ice Screw Video

Ice Screws

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Classic Alpine Ascents

Arc'teryx Webinar with Adrian Nelhams

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Helping you plan your Alpine Goals

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Planning for the winter

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Summer Newsletter 2020

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How to use slings, to equalise tradition anchors and create a belay

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Teaching1 2

How to build a belay using a rope when traditional climbing

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Abalokov

Making an Abalakov or 'V' Thread ice anchor.

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Talkeetna Air Taxi

Adrian Nelhams flies into the Kitchatna Spires, Alaska

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Oberland Ski 2 PS2

What's in my backpack - Multi-day Ski Touring

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What's in my backpack - Trad Climbing

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Dave on sighting

What's in my backpack - Sport Climbing

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What's in my backpack - Icefall Climbing

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What's in My Backpack - Freeride

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On-sighting - Tips and Techniques

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Red-Pointing - Tips and techniques

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New Routes in the Canadian Rockies

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Climbing Motivation

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Christmas Newsletter 2019

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IFMGA Mountain Guides

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Kyrgyzstan 16

The Art Of Making Traditional Kyrgyz Bread

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The Art of Making Traditional Kyrgyz Bread!

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Is Your Avalanche Transceiver Working Properly?

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Leash or Leashless?

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Icefall Climbing This Winter

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ISM Autumn Newsletter 2019

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Transceiver Group Check

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What to take Icefall climbing

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Expedition Climbing and Planning a Trip

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Using 'Avalanche Probes' and advice for buying

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Review of the Barryvox S Transceiver.

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ISM Virgin Summits Expedition 2018 Trip Report

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Summer Newsletter 2018

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Booking Thankyou

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Wild Horses

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Ice Screws and Accessories

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Ice Axes

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Alpine Icefall Climbing

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James (2017)

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David (2017)

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R W (2017)

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Edward (2017)

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KL (2017)

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Steve

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EP

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BT

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The Wild Side

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ISM Virgin Summits Expedition 2017 Trip Report

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ISM Kyrgyzstan (Pamirs) Virgin Summits Expedition 2016

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Why We Love British Trad Climbing!

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Ski Touring Equipment Advice

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Off-Piste Ski Technique: Five Key Focus Points

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Kalymnos

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ISM Summer Alpine Conditions

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ISM Kyrgyzstan (Pamirs) Virgin Summits Expedition 2015

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ISM Celebrating 50 years

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BMG Guides Summer Rock 1

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Donald Connolly

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David Hughes

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Maite Iriarte

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Donald Connolly

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Michael Firth

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Jo Clark

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Andy Challenor

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Leigh Ritchie

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Clare

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Ade Ice Header PS

How to climb waterfall ice - part 2

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Lake Louise

How to climb waterfall ice

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Teaching leading

Building an ice screw belay

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Arc'teryx Psiphon AR Pant review

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The Dolomites Ski Safari

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Kyrgyzstan 2014

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Fond memories of Pete Boardman

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The Mittellegi Integral

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The Cordillera Blanca - Peru

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A clients view on 'being guided'

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Ice Article - Professional Mountaineer Magazine

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Canadian Rockies First Ascent by Adrian Nelhams

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Spring Newsletter

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Pat Littlejohn Interview

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Courses for Challenge and Enjoyment

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Climbing on Gran Canaria by Pat Littlejohn

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ISM Instructional Courses by Pat Littlejohn

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ISM Guide climbs hard mixed route in the Lakes

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My Kyrgyzstan Trip by Adrian Nelhams

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Kuilu & Son Kul Expedition 2009

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Latest News from Adrian

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Bulletin from Leysin - Hope, Noise and Great Ice!

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Winter report from Terry & Graham

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Adventures in Alaska by Adrian Nelhams

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Alpine Weather News - by Terry Ralphs

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Tien Shan Expedition 2007 by Pat Littlejohn

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Winter Training - Is it the Real Deal? By Adrian Nelhams

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Ethiopia: More Climbs and Finds by Pat Littlejohn

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2006 Ice-Climbing round-up, by Adrian Nelhams

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Borkoldoy Report, CLIMB Magazine 2006

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Ice Climbing Kit Check by Adrian Nelhams

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ISM Virgin Peaks Expedition 05 by Pat Littlejohn

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ISM Central Borkoldoy Expedition - September 2005

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Sandstone Towers in Ethiopia by Pat Littlejohn

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The Client’s Eye on the Guide Guy!

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Heaven and Ice

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ISM Central Borkoldoy Expedition - September 2004

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ISM - Virgin Peaks of the Tien Shan - 2003

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Mountain Info - High magazine, August 2000

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Courses

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Private Guiding 1

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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Intro Summer Mountaineering Alps 1

Summits & Skills 4000m (Instructional Course)

Level 1: Instructional Courses

May - Sep 2026
4:1 Ratio
£1895
Level 2 Summer Mountaineering Alps 1

Classic AlpinISM (Instructional Course)

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Jun - Aug 2026
3:1 Ratio
£1995
Monte Rosa Mountaineering 4000m Peaks Traverse 2

Monte Rosa 4000ers

Level 2: Guided Courses

Jun - Sep 2026
3:1 Ratio
£1995
Alpine Rock Climbing Alps 1

Alpine Rock

Level 3: Guided Courses

Jul - Aug 2026
2:1 Ratio
£2395
Technical Alpine Climbing Alps 1

Technical Alpine Ascents

Level 3: Guided Courses

Jun - Aug 2026
2:1 Ratio
£2495
Custom Courses 1

Custom Courses

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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ISM-UK-rock-2-1400x300

Lake District Rock Climbing

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Indoor to Outdoor 1

Indoor Wall to Outdoor Climbing

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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Rock Improvers 1

Rock Climbing Improvers

Level 2: Instructional Courses

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Alpine Preparation 1

Alpine Preparation

Level 1: Guided Courses

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Classic Rock 1

Classic Rock - Lake District

Level 2: Guided Courses

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Scrambling Skills 1

Scrambling Skills

Level 1: Instructional Courses

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ISM-Exped-2-1400x300

Expeditions & Treks

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Sardinia Trekking 1

Sardinia Trekking

Guided Courses

Sep - Oct 2025
6:1 Ratio
£1495
Ski Touring Advice

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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ISM-Ice-1-1400x300

Ice Climbing

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Private Guiding Icefalls 1

Private Guiding

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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Classic Alpine Icefalls 1

Classic Alpine Icefalls

Level 2: Instructional Courses

Jan - Feb 2026
2:1 Ratio
£2395
Technical Canadian Icefalls 1

Canadian Classic Icefalls 2026

Level 2: Guided Courses

Mar 2026
£2495
Technical Canadian Icefalls 1

Canadian Technical Icefalls 2026

Level 3: Instructional Courses

Mar 2026
£2495
Custom Weeks Icefalls 1

Custom Courses

Private Guiding & Custom Weeks

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Kyrgyzstan 2

Educational Videos

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Summer Alpine 19

Vital Information

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Summer Alpine Equipment

Summer Alpine Mountaineering Equipment

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Icefall Equipment

Icefall Climbing Equipment

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Off Piste Ski Equipment

Off-Piste Ski Equipment

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Avalanche Awareness Equipment

Avalanche Awareness Equipment

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Ski Touring Advice

Ski Touring Equipment Advice

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Boots Advice

Boots & Crampons

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Classic 4000m 1

Prices

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Chamonix with Steve Martin 016

Things to do in Le Fayet Saint Gervais, Mont Blanc

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Plan B hotel 1

Getting to Le Fayet, St Gervais Mont Blanc

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Privacy Policy

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Classic Alpine Icefalls 1

Booking Conditions

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Intro Off Piste 1

Passport & Visas

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Classic Dolomites Ice 1

Canadian Icefalls Information

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20220906 082540

Virgin Peaks Expedition 2026 Information

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ISM-Alpine-4-1400x300

News, Articles and Trip Reports

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About ISM

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The ISM Team

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Adrian Nelhams

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Terry Ralphs

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Paolo Intropido

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Tommaso Dusi

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Carlo Cosi

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Matt Stygall

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Christian Türk

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Dave Heaton

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ISM Historical

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Reviews

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Contact ISM

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Not sure which course to pick?

Are you wondering which course is right for you? Don't fret, we are on hand to help you choose.

Have something else in mind?

Do you know what you want but don't see it in our usual courses? Call us and we'll see where we can help.

Testimonials For ISM

Just a quick word of thanks for the course last week. Our guide Tom was excellent and covered a lot of miles to ensure we got the best conditions and great routes in and was always ready with a word or two of advice when needed - please pass my thanks on to him,

James (2017)
Alpine Rock

“What an incredible week learning the basics of Mountaineering. The course is perfectly balanced between summiting high alpine peaks and learning rope, climbing and glacier skills.

William 2021

Terry was a wonderful guide and made everything fun, laid-back and an overall good experience. I would be happy to ski or climb with him again. All the logistics in Leysin and in Italy went smoothly. A really nice time.

KL (2017)

All Reviews

Team Spotlight

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Paolo Intropido

IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide

Born in NW Italy in a region surrounded by mountains, Paolo started to ski and trek as a kid, always wanting to explore 'beyond the next hill'.

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Knowledge Base

Some Tips for the First Time Outdoor Boulderer

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