CLIMB MAINE

DISCOVER MAINE’S CLIMBING

Climb Maine's rock and ice with owner and expert climbing guide Ryan Howes and the Northern Vertical team in Acadia National Park, Camden Hills State Park, Clifton, Gulf Hagas, Grafton Notch State Park, Katahdin, Mount Kineo, Tumbledown Mountain, White Mountains and beyond. Whether you are a skilled climber seeking elevated instruction, a backcountry adventure on Maine and New Hampshire's classic climbs, or a beginner looking to enter this life-changing sport, our professional, local guides guarantee the highest quality instruction available, personalized backcountry climbing adventures, and year-round community climbing experiences. Northern Vertical offers these experiences for all ability levels and we have made it easy for you to choose which one is right for you and your group. Welcome to our NV!

CHOOSE YOUR MAINE CLIMBING ADVENTURE

NEW CLIMBERS

Northern New England is home to the best winter climbing terrain in America! Every new climber participantes in Ryan's course, Introduction to Winter Climbing. By the end of this course, you will learn the basics of how to climb with crampons and ice axes on ice, rock and snow. This is just the beginning!

NEW CLIMBER PACKAGES

CLIMBING INSTRUCTION

& COURSES

For experienced climbers who want to elevate their skills with the best climbing instructor in Maine, choose from our lineup of winter climbing packages and specialty courses, designed and led by Ryan who is the sought after guide for learning how to lead climb on ice and rock.

CLIMBING COURSES

BACKCOUNTRY

Looking for the perfect ice climbing adventure in solitude? With 10 to 50 miles of round trip snowmobiling to and from your virgin ice climbing objective, you don’t want to miss Maine’s backcountry ice climbing with the only Maine Guide who provides this service to the following locales: Baxter State Park, Gulf Hagas, Evan’s Notch, and Pollywog.

BACKCOUNTRY PACKAGES

COMMUNITY
BASED
CLIMBING

Community Based Climbing is the perfect experience for meeting and climbing with people who exude friendship, support and the love of climbing. Beginners learn from climbers in the community and more seasoned climbers learn higher level skills from Ryan and the NV Team. Join our growing community through our Camden Climbing Festival, Women's Climbing Series and Wednesday night Tour de Camden. These experiences and more make long-lasting adventure partners.

COMMUNITY CLIMBING

WHY CLIMB WITH RYAN?

Because you want the best climbing experience possible. Ryan has been climbing in Maine for over 25 years, has been the head guide for several climbing companies, and has a zero-accident safety record.

He’s an excellent instructor. With a master’s degree in experiential education and a bachelor’s in adventure therapy and adventure education leadership, he’s more than qualified to show you the ropes! His list of qualifications keeps going - click the button for his backstory and full credentials.

Learn more

MAINE CLIMBING VIDEOS

“Ryan is a deep and soulful person who cares about his clients and their state of wellness. He uses climbing as a vehicle for personal betterment. He's an elite climber but also a good dude who gives you your money's worth!”

—Russ K
Apart from the thrill of accomplishing our objective, strength training to increase good health, two things stood out to me that day: the first is obvious - his expertise. At every step along the way he made sure I understood what we were doing and why. It quickly became apparent not only is he a highly qualified guide but a willing and eager teacher. The other quality I noticed, which stands out to this day, is his ability to get me to step outside my comfort zone.

-Joel B.