Courses in Glacier Guiding Studies

The program consists of practical field courses and theoretical distance learning. Students who take the program in parallel with work or other studies are strongly advised to take the program in four semesters. Students who take the program in 2 semesters while working must have great flexibility in work and time to do practical studies when appropriate.

In the course Rock Climbing and Ropework, emphasis is placed on the essential ropework foundations needed for outdoor rock climbing. General ropework is combined with rock climbing skills, such as rappelling, top-rope climbing, anchor building, and the use of specialized climbing equipment.

The program is field-based, with trips out into nature where students work in real-world conditions. Strong emphasis is placed on safety, professional working methods, and respect for partners and the natural environment. The course takes place in Southeast Iceland at rock climbing areas. Students should expect outdoor activity and physical exercise every day.

In the course Navigation and Backpacking, emphasis is placed on planning and preparing wilderness trips, using navigation tools, creating route plans, selecting equipment for backpacking trips, guiding, campcraft, and travelling without leaving traces (Leave No Trace).

The program is field-based, with students undertaking a longer wilderness trek carrying all of their equipment on their backs and working in real-world conditions. Emphasis is placed on the importance of time management and group management. Nature interpretation is also an important focus, and students are expected to share their knowledge of the environment with the group.

The course Glaciers takes place on outlet glaciers in Southeast Iceland. The main emphasis is on glacier travel together with the related technical ropework. This includes building anchors in ice, rappelling, rope climbing, hauling systems, and crevasse rescue.

Students in the course also train in ice climbing and crampon technique in challenging terrain. The course is intended to prepare students for independent glacier trips in peer groups. The program is field-based, with trips out into nature where students work in real-world conditions.

 
 

The course Kayaking takes place in sea kayaks and is intended to train students for kayak travel in varied environments. Students develop the ability to make decisions based on their own physical condition, the local terrain, and the prevailing conditions. They also train in the use of safety equipment for kayak trips and in preparing realistic trip plans for shorter kayaking journeys.

 
 

The course Avalanche Fundamentals and Skiing is a five-day course held in Tröllaskagi and is designed to build a broad and solid foundation in avalanche studies. It covers all the basic concepts of avalanche science, how terrain influences avalanche hazard, how avalanche and weather forecasts can be used to prepare mountain trips, companion rescue in avalanches, how human factors affect decision-making in demanding conditions, and the overall planning of mountain trips with regard to winter hazards in alpine terrain.

Alongside the avalanche component, the course also includes ski instruction. It takes place at a ski area, where students have the opportunity to improve their skiing technique both on and off piste under the guidance of instructors.

This elective course builds on the foundation gained in the avalanche course, and students use that knowledge to plan trips and go ski touring. Students learn uphill travel techniques, route selection, terrain reading, and hazard assessment in avalanche terrain.

Students build a strong foundation in ski touring and gain the tools needed to take their ski mountaineering to the next level.

AIMG Glacier Guiding 1 is a four-day course and assessment held on outlet glaciers in Southeast Iceland. The course covers the main elements of glacier guiding, including route selection, crevasse rescue, ice climbing, communication with guests, nature interpretation, and group management.

If a student passes the course, they gain the qualification to work under the AIMG framework on outlet glaciers in summer as an AIMG Glacier Guide Trainee.

The course covers the fundamentals of ice-cap travel and takes place in varied mountain terrain. It addresses the main elements of travel on ice caps, including route selection, route planning, navigation, companion rescue from crevasses, setting up a rope for glacier travel, communications, and group management. Emphasis is also placed on awareness of snow conditions and active discussion about them.

Students also train in camping on snow through a two- to three-night trip in real conditions, where skills such as building snow walls, digging tent platforms, cooking, sleeping systems, camp organization, and cooperation in camp are practiced. The course is intended to prepare students to travel on ice caps independently in peer groups.

The course Final Expedition serves as the final assessment in guiding. Students lead guests on a four-day wilderness trek and are responsible for all planning, guest communication, and guiding throughout the trip. Students also lead fellow students and instructors in ice-cap terrain and demonstrate technical skills on an outlet glacier or in rock climbing.

The course is intended to draw together all the main elements of the program, including navigation, mountain safety, campcraft, communication with guests, nature interpretation, and technical ropework.