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DISCOVER MAINE’S CLIMBING

Have you climbed the Camden Hills? “Where the Mountains Meet the Sea”

Northern Vertical Climbing Guides is located in the Camden Hills on the Coast of Maine. Our mission to develop climbing community, education and stewardship is led by our founder Ryan Howes, who is one of New England’s premiere climbing guides, first ascentionist of over 150 routes on rock and ice, and founder of the Camden Climbing Festival and the Drytooling Rendezvous. Howes and NVCG staff offer private, instructional experiences for beginners, as well as personalized instructional courses for lead climbing on rock, ice, mixed, drytooling, and alpine terrain. No guide services in New England offer our unique backcountry adventures throughout Maine’s extensive climbing terrain via snowmobile. Check out our offerings.

CHOOSE YOUR MAINE CLIMBING ADVENTURE

NEW CLIMBERS

Camden Hills is home to an abundance of excellent terrain for rock climbing and winter climbing. In fact, Ryan has personally developed the largest climbing area in Maine dedicated to drytooling and mixed climbing, in addition to the excellent ice climbing Camden and Maine has to offer. Meet us at our Camden Headquarters, gear up, and we will show you an amazing experience!

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 and summer climbing packages and specialty courses, designed and led by Ryan who is the sought after guide for learning how to lead climb on rock and ice. Our mission is to help you develop these skills efficiently, connect with a broader community of climbers, and become a steward of climbing.

CLIMBING COURSES

BACKCOUNTRY

Looking for the perfect backcountry climbing adventure in solitude? Maine’s abundant terrain has something for everyone, including the Northeast gem, Katahdin. Northern Vertical is the Katahdin specialists with decades of guided adventures within the park including first ascents in Chimney Pond, North Basin, North West Basin, Witherle Ravine and Upper South Branch Pond.

BACKCOUNTRY PACKAGES

COMMUNITY
BASED
CLIMBING

Community based climbing experiences are all about one thing: building community. These shared adventures come in all shapes and sizes. Sign up for Tour de Camden or Women’s Climbing and make new adventure buddies. Meet them at one of our festivals in the beginning or end of the season.

COMMUNITY CLIMBING

WHY CLIMB WITH NV?

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

His excellent instruction started 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.