GUIDED FRONT &
BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES FOR
EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS
EXPERIENCE WORLD-CLASS CLIMBING IN MAINE AND BEYOND
Northern Vertical guarantees memorable climbing adventures in Maine and beyond. Every experience is personalized to meet your goals and delivers the highest standard in the industry. Northern Vertical’s owner and head guide Ryan Howes, has the experience to guide you on any adventure and climb you desire. Having served as head guide for three New England climbing companies before opening Northern Vertical in 2015, Ryan trained dozens of guides, thousands of climbers, and has climbed in Maine for 25 years. He comes with 15 years of professional guiding and high-angle mountain rescue experience, a MS in Education and a BS in Adventure Education and Adventure Therapy. Ryan has dedicated his life to optimizing the very best practices for your reward. Rest assure you are in the hands of Maine’s top climbing professional, who has developed over 100 climbs throughout Maine and continues to development and steward Maine climbing for you and the future generations.
FRONTCOUNTRY
WINTER CLASSICS
Northern New England is home to some of the best ice and mixed climbing in the United States. Spread throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont's notches are premiere, moderate routes for experienced climbers. Cannon's Black Dike, Frankenstein's Amphitheater, Standard and Dracula are fine examples of ultra classics guided by Ryan
Rates: 1:1 $555 | 2:1 $888
FRONTCOUNTRY
NEW ENGLAND'S STEEP MULTI-PITCH WINTER ROUTES
For the seasoned winter climber ready to climb the upper echelon of New England winter routes, like Maine's classic Mainline, 5+ or New Hampshire's Fafnir, 5- and Omega, 5+ or Vermont's Lake Willoughby giants, like The Last Gentleman, 5 and Promenade, 5+ this is the experience for you. Get ready for our iconic, steep, multi-pitch routes!
Rates: 1:1 $666 | 2:1 $1,111
BACKCOUNTRY
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S CLASSIC GULLIES
Mount Washington, Mount Webster and Mount Willard are home to dozens of 600' - 2000' winter routes, notable classic gullies like the Black Dike, Central, Shoestring, Hitchcock, Pinnacle and Damnation. These classic climbs cover ice, rock and snow mediums, and a variety of rope techniques to test your winter alpine skills with Ryan as your guide.
Rates: 1:1 $666 | 2:1 $999
BACKCOUNTRY
GULF HAGAS
This backcountry adventure for experienced winter climbers begins with an eight mile snowmobile ride. With snowshoes and packs, Ryan leads a one mile off trail hike through the woods to gain the top of The Gorge, which requires a 100' rappel down to the frozen river below, where dozens of virgin ice and mixed routes of the highest quality will satisfy climbers seeking remote and personalized backcountry adventure. This full day trip is a unique offering and rest assure you and Ryan will be the only people climbing there.
Rates: 1:1 $1,111 | 2:1 $1,666 | 3:1 $2,222
BACKCOUNTRY
KATAHDIN PREMIERE
This 1.5 day adventure starts in Millinocket, Maine to prepare equipment the night before the adventure. Ryan will make sure you have the right gear for the mountain and the snowmobile ride. After breakfast, an early departure to Abol Bridge will commence the 5.5 mile snowmobile ride to Abol Campground, where we shoulder backpacks and hike to Katahdin's alpine garden called the Tablelands. From here, we descend South Basin (Chimney Pond), North Basin or Witherle Ravine to access premiere alpine routes including: Red Skye, Cilley-Barber, Chauvin-Cole, Waterfall Gully, The Chimney, Pamola IV and Black Fly Gully. After summiting, we make our way back to the snowmobile to conclude the adventure. Expect 12-14 hours and 5,000 to 6,000' of elevation gain.
Rates: 1:1 $2,222 | 2:1 $4,444
BACKCOUNTRY
UPPER SOUTH BRANCH POND
This truly incredible backcountry adventure via snowmobile and XC skis contains several multi pitch ice and mixed routes for experienced winter climbers. Upper South Branch Pond climbing is on par with the highest quality ice climbing in New England. This adventure has only been guided once, by Ryan, during a first ascent trip with his guest in 2019. This adventure begins the night before, meeting and prepping climbing gear, XC skis and the snowmobile. An early breakfast and alpine start seven miles on the snowmobile brings us to the South Branch Pond Road. From here we ski 2 miles to Upper South Branch Pond and commence climbing.
Rates: 1:1 $1,111 | 2:1 $1,666 | 3:1 $2,222
KATAHDIN BACKCOUNTRY - 2 DAYS
Rising a mile high in the geographic center of Maine is a stand alone massif that conjures up images of the Canadian Rockies. Katahdin, native for “Great Mountain” is not just the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, it is the premiere backcountry rock climbing and ice climbing destination east of the Rockies. With three mega basins and thousands of feet of rock climbing, Katahdin meets the adventure definition.
Depending upon personal fitness and goals, Katahdin climbs can be accomplished in a day. Lightweight packs and approach shoes negotiate more than half of this alpine 3rd and 4th class terrain, while rock climbing shoes ascend high quality cracks, faces, corners and chimneys.
All back country trips in Baxter State Park meet the night before for preparations, followed by evening camping or accommodation, followed by an alpine 4AM start the next morning with a 12-15 hour day of adventure.
Armadillo, 5.7 - THE CLASSIC - must do climb that everyone comes for.
Flatiron, 5.8 - A shorter, but higher quality multi-pitch jam crack than the former.
Wind In The Willows, 5.9 - A lovely finger crack of varying sizes.
Rates: 1:1 $1,250 | 2:1 $1,600
CLASSIC ROCK CLIMB - FULL DAY
For experienced climbers who want to push their adventure limits by rock climbing a classic in Maine and New Hampshire.
LOCATIONS:
Cannon’s Whitney-Gilman
Moby Grape
VMC Direct
Mount Washington’s Northeast Ridge of the Pinnacle
These classic rock climbs and many more are up for grabs. Whether you are visiting New England or a local, these rock climbs cannot be missed for their place in the history books and wild, back country setting.
Ryan will help you to be fully prepared for your climb by discussing logistics, necessary provisions, and equipment. Front country trips meet early morning on the day of the climb, with a minimum of eight hours of hiking and climbing.
Rates: 1:1 $650 | 2:1 $900
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.
