Sean has been climbing for over 30 years world wide and has been guiding and instructing for 20 years in the Canadian Rockies. He is also the author of several ice and mixed climbing books including Mixed Climbing in the Canadian Rockies by Rocky Mountain Books, Mixed Climbing by Falcon Guides, Ice Climbing Leader Field Handbook by the Alpine Club of Canada and most recently How to Ice Climb by Falcon Guides. In addition, Sean has been the editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal for the past 14 years and has appeared with featured segments in a number of climbing films including Beyond Gravity (2000) and Higher Ground (2008).
Sean Isaac ice climbing programs:
Early Season Ice Camp: Get a jump start on the ice climbing season with Sean Isaac’s Early Season Ice Camp. The goal of the week is to get as much mileage as possible while dialing in technique and skills.
Ice Leader Camp: Even experienced ice climbers who already lead will glean new tricks and break old habits to help ensure them a safer ice career. Sean delves into the four pillars for safe and secure ice leading: movement skills, technical systems, gear selection and hazard management. Each day is a structured progression based on a time-tested formula that has been proven to work year after year!
Advanced Ice Leader Camp: Take your ice climbing to the next level with this five-day advanced course focused on steeper leads, refined technique, and multi-pitch systems—all with personalized coaching in a small-group setting. Completion of the Ice Leader Camp or equivalent experience is required.
Mixed Master Camp: This three-day camp will focus on hazard management, movement skills, technical systems and gear selection. The goal of the camp is to introduce mixed terrain and provide students with the knowledge and techniques to safely and smoothly top rope M-routes with the progression towards leading.
One-Day Clinics:
Sean Isaac and Yamnuska Mountain Adventures are offering an “Ice Clinic Series”. The four topics cover the main foundations to be a solid winter climber: steep ice movement, mixed climbing, lead skills and trad-mixed climbing. Pick and choose clinics depending on your learning objectives or sign up for all four.
Steep Ice Clinic: Join Sean Isaac on this one-day steep ice climbing course aimed at consolidating and refining steep ice movement skills.
Ice Lead Clinic: Join Sean Isaac on this one-day lead ice course. The curriculum will include hazard evaluation, movement technique, rest stances, ice screw placements, leading strategies and anchor construction.
Advanced Ice Movement: A one-day course aimed at building upon standard steep ice movement in order to deal with non-standard ice features and situations.
Mixed Climbing Clinic: Join Sean Isaac on this one-day course that introduces winter climbers to the wild world of mixed climbing.
Private Guiding: As an ACMG Alpine Guide, Sean is certified to instruct and guide rock, ice and alpine climbing. Whether its learning advanced anchor building, self rescue, leading strategies or refined movement skills, he can customize his services to suit your goals. Email us at info@yamnuska.com to discuss details if you are interested in arranging a guided climb or an instructional course.