CLIMB MAINE
with A leader of the sport
The Northern Vertical climbing experience in Maine and New Hampshire provides equipment, industry standard instruction and personalized adventure with professional guide Ryan Howes. What does it mean to learn from and climb with a leader of the sport? Simply put you are learning from and climbing with a master of climbing and teaching climbing. If you seek the highest quality instruction to take on this sport for your own, if you seek grand adventure on classic objectives, then check out the following ice climbing and rock climbing courses and destination climbs below. Ryan looks forward to sharing this sport with you.
ICE CLIMBING COURSES
Experience ice - Full day
This full day immersion starts by gearing up with mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, harness, helmet.
Ryan teaches how to walk and climb with crampons and ice axes, in addition to teaching the nature of ice, the intricacies of movement technique and the mixed mediums of climbing ice, rock and snow.
This is step one in the learning progression. Keep going!
Rates: 1:1 $500 | 2:1 $600 | 3:1 $700 | 4:1 $800
steep ICe - Full Day
You have already experienced ice climbing and now you are ready for a steeper challenge. Ryan teaches the techniques for negotiating steep ice, pulling bulges, matching tools, resting and overall climbing efficiency.
Fitness, technique and mindset are key elements to climbing steep ice. Ryan provides insights and tools for becoming proficient in all three arenas. Again you are learning from a master of the sport with 25 years of experience.
Rates: 1:1 $500 | 2:1 $600 | 3:1 $700 | 4:1 $800
Maine Backcountry ice climbing
via snowmobile
Looking for the perfect ice climbing adventure in solitude. Ryan has six backcountry destinations via snowmobile that epitomize personalized adventure.
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
-Pollywog
Rates: Starting at $1,250 / day
ROCK CLIMBING COURSES
RAP: Rent-a-pro
Take your climbing to the next level with this specialty, two-day lead climbing course in Acadia National Park with Maine’s climbing pro - Ryan Howes.
This small group experience is focused on dialing in all the standard skills of the traditional lead climber - the big picture and the finer details. Saturday, July 27 covers these skills sets with a full day of practice and refinement, and Sunday, July 28 is the day to test your skills on a challenging traditional climb!
This incredible offering is high value literally and figuratively. Two full days with a prolific Maine first ascentionist and professional guide, for just $250. Book this upleveling experience and get a private consultation over the phone with Ryan to discuss your goals and intentions.
Whatever your climbing dreams, Ryan will get you well on your way! Don’t delay book it today!
Rate: $250
tour de camden
This every Wednesday night adventure brings you to a new climbing venue each week to enjoy all of rock climbing in Camden Hills State Park has to offer. We cater to beginners by providing all of the equipment and instruction, and we cater to seasoned climbers by setting up challenging climbs and meeting you on your climbing journey - this means high value instruction from the region’s top climbing guide.
“Tour de Camden” meets every Wednesday night at Barrett’s Cove Cliff. We begin hiking into the woods at 4:00 PM sharp, so come early or better luck next time!
Rate: $30 per person, including equipment
WOMEN’S CLIMBING SERIES
Women climbing with women feels liberating and inspiring! The support and comfort is unparalleled when climbing for the first time, and stepping outside your comfort zone with our female instructors.
Join our unique, full day guided offering August 10th at Otter Cliffs in Acadia National Park. Build new relationships, learn new skills, and be part of our growing women’s climbing community here on the coast of Maine.
Rates: $125 per person, plus $25 equipment fee
Experience Rock - half day
This half-day experience is for anyone new to the sport of rock climbing in Maine. Ryan curates this adventure privately for you and your group with safety, fun and learning abound.
Afraid of heights? That is normal. Ryan teaches the safety systems and climbing techniques so you feel comfortable and confident in the Northern Vertical environment. Your success is Ryan’s guarantee.
Simply meet Ryan in Camden or another locale, gear up with rock climbing helmets, harnesses, shoes, water and snacks in a backpack. Ryan guides a short hike to the cliff where the adventure begins.
Rates: 1:1 $300 | 2:1 $400 | 3:1 $500 | 4:1 $600
family climbs - Half day
What better way to discover adventure in Maine? Rock climbing is a memorable family activity because it pushes comfort zones, builds trust, communication and smiles! Kids cannot wait to begin climbing.
Ryan meets your family in Camden and gears everyone up with rock climbing helmets, harnesses and sticky rubber shoes. After a short hike to the cliff the fun begins.
As always, Ryan captures your families climbing adventure on camera so the memory lasts a lifetime. Your families success is Ryan’s guarantee.
Rates: 2:1 $300 | 3:1 $400 | 4:1 $500
experience Rock - full day
There’s no place like learning how to climb in Camden and Acadia on the coast of Maine. The aesthetics and terrain are perfect for learning the basics of climbing craft.
All instructional courses are private, full day climbing experiences in Maine for optimal learning. Ryan teaches the mechanics and techniques for anchoring types and construction, rope management, belaying, rappelling, personal anchoring systems, equipment and more.
Top rope instruction is the first course for anyone who wants to become an autonomous climber, or for anyone who wants to brush up on past learning experiences, as the techniques and equipment change over time.
Ryan offers two incredible services after your instructional course in Maine: 1) purchasing advice on equipment and a 30% discount to the best equipment in the industry. 2) video tutorials to support what you learned so you can practice at home and at the crag.
Learn the basic rock climbing skills in Maine with Ryan today!
Rates: 1:1 $500 | 2:1 $600 | 3:1 $700 | 4:1 $800
lead Instruction - TWO DAY
This two-day private course teaches climbing techniques for sport and traditional lead climbing on the coast of Maine. Emphasis is placed on quality placements and clipping protection on lead with the safety of a top rope (mock lead).
This course is perfect for the climber who wants to transition from gym-to-crag lead climbing, a seasoned top rope climber, a seasoned follower, and anyone who wants to brush up on past learning experiences, as the techniques and equipment change over time.
Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport. Most guide services do not offer lead climbing instruction because it involves more risk taking. Ryan loves helping people become real climbers. He is a master at teaching the art of leading in Maine and you will learn how to mitigate the risks associated with climbing so that you can have climbing adventure in Maine and beyond.
Rates: 1:1 $1,000 | 2:1 $1,300
NV Guest Krystal Tavares leads her first multi pitch traditional rock climb in Maine during her second season rock climbing in Maine.
Rappelling - Two hours
This two-hour experience in Camden, Maine is for anyone who wants to experience rappelling for the first time, or learn about the equipment and safety skills to descend vertical environments.
Join Ryan for a short but adventurous hike to the top of a 220’ cliff called Barrett’s Cove. With sweeping views of Megunitcook Lake, Ryan will show you how this amazing cliffside pursuit is done safely and confidently.
Kids of all ages and adults love rappelling. As always, Ryan captures your experience on video so you can share it with friends and family. Do not delay, book your two hour rappelling adventure today!
Rates: 1:1 $150 | 2:1 $200 | 3:1 $250 | 4:1 $300
classic ROCK CLIMB - full day
For experienced climbers only who want to push their adventure limits by rock climbing a classic in Maine and New Hampshire, Ryan is your guide!
- Back country over nights climbs like Katahdin’s Armadillo and Flatiron Buttress
-Front country day climbs like Cannon’s Whitney-Gilman, Moby Grape, VMC Direct Direct and 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 be prepared for your climb by discussing logistics and 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. 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.
Front Country Rates: 1:1 $650 | 2:1 $900
Back Country Rates: 1:1 $1,250 | 2:1 $1,600
CLIMBING LOCALES
Maine - new Hampshire - beyond
There are over 50 climbing areas in Maine and New Hampshire that Ryan meets his guests for climbing instruction and adventure. One reason that Ryan is a desirable northern New England guide is his extensive knowledge and first ascents experience in Maine’s backcountry. In 2019, Ryan led a team of four into the most remote destination east of the US Rockies, covering 60 miles of backcountry skiing terrain to establish the tallest backcountry ice climb: Two Screws Loose, NEI 5, 650’. This unrepeated route on the Katahdin Massif is an example of the level of mastery that Ryan brings to your Maine climbing adventure. Here are some pictures of that adventure…
MAINE ROCK CLIMBING
Camden is home for Northern Vertical. With 25 years of climbing experience in this region, Ryan develops and maintains the cliffs and trails in addition to his personal training and guiding here.
The rock type is metamorphic schist with high friction so it is the perfect stone for beginners. With rock climbs ranging from 5.3 - 5.14, boulders ranging from V0 - V10, ice climbs ranging NEI 2-5 and mixed climbs ranging M2-M8, Camden truly has year round climbing for all ages and abilities.
Here are the popular cliffs with links to Mountain Project:
Barrett’s Cove Cliff - Multi pitch trad climbing, 220’.
Verticals - Bolt-protected climbs with bold trad leads. Top rope accessible, 60’.
Outback - Camden’s sport crag up to 5.13, rich with 5.10 and moderates, 80’.
Ryan’s favorite cliffs are not listed here, including an area with thirteen brand new trad and sport climbs that Ryan develop in 2022.
Acadia is one of the first rock climbing areas climbed and developed in the United States. This seaside granite mecca is known by climbers from all over the world. The rock quality is exceptional, with cracks, corners, arétès and of course the famous chimney as seen in this photo.
Ryan started his guiding career in Acadia National Park in 2007. He worked for the Atlantic Climbing School, Acadia Mountain Guides and later became Head Climbing Guide for both companies, providing mentorship and training for guide staff.
Here are the popular cliffs with links to Mountain Project:
Otter Cliffs - Maine’s most popular top access cliff rising 60’ above the ocean.
South Wall - Highest quality multi pitch traditional rock climbing in Maine, 200’.
There is no summertime rock climbing destination on the east coast that compares to Acadia’s mountains and sea.
Katahdin - Baxter State Park
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. Who better than Ryan to guide you into this backcountry area? With years of climbing here, high-angle mountain rescue team, and multiple first ascents - there is none other - Ryan is the Katahdin guide!
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. Expect the day to last 9-12 hours.
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.
Health & Performance Coaching
This fast track three-month program delves deeply into nutrition, mindset and movement for climbers - changes that optimize your life. Ryan’s guests radically transform their health and their lives as a result. The testimonials are real. Contact Ryan today to schedule a call.
Maine Climbing Adventures
Ryan is a professional climber and guide who deeply cares about the success of your experience, whether this is your first or 100th climb. When it comes to your safety and reward, expect the bar to be set at the highest level in the industry. You want the best that Maine and New England has to offer. Contact Ryan today.