EMS Climbing School offers programs for women and children

Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School at Settler's Crossing in North Conway is offering a series of new programs both indoors and outdoors this winter.The "Mntn Kids" indoor climbing wall program is offered to children ages 5 to 12 on weekdays after school at the new climbing wall right inside the store. Kids can sign up for different one-hour sessions depending on their age group. Groups divided into ages for 3 and 4 year olds, 5 and 6 year olds, 7 to 9 year olds and 10 to 12 year olds will meet at different times on on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Children in all age groups can learn to be comfortable in a harness both climbing and hanging, and will get a chance to learn basic knots and movement skills. Older children can learn to belay, and there will be games and prizes.Parents are required to remain in the store for supervision when the children are not climbing and are encouraged to participate in all activities.In addition there are two new programs for women: the "Mntn Mamas" winter hiking series and the "Girls Weekend" series hosted at the Green Granite Inn and Conference Center."Mntn Mamas" is for women who want to get out there and hike in winter, but who don't have the equipment or experience to do it safely. There will be five Fridays throughout the winter, twice a month, starting Jan. 16, where women can learn the skills they need. The series starts out with a simple day hike and builds up each week with more difficult hikes ending in March with an overnight weekend at the Mount Washington Observatory. Women can sign up for one, two or all five hikes. There will also be four "Girls Weekends" offered throughout the winter by EMS and the Green Granite Inn and Conference Center. The weekends of climbing and/or hiking, include "Girls on the Ice" Jan. 9-11 and Jan. 30-Feb. 1 and "Girls on the Mountain" Feb. 28-March 1 and March 14-15. Locals and women who have their own lodging may also participate for a reduced price.Eastern Mountain Sports is hold an "EMS After Hours" series of short evening programs in the evenings in the climbing school's new lobby inside the store by the climbing wall. The programs will start off with three "Technical Teasers" held during Christmas vacation week starting at 4 p.m. The first Teaser on December 27 is free. This hour-long program, "Beyond the Snowsuit: How to Dress for the Cold," is a light-hearted, informative presentation by Charlie Townsend, climbing school director. The second and third teasers will be longer technical programs, for which a fee will be charged. "Self Rescue: Belay Escapes and Other Tips" will be presented by EMS guide Craig Taylor on Tuesday Dec. 30; "GPS Skills for Fun and Safety," will be presented by EMS guide Frank Carus on Friday, Jan. 2. These two programs are scheduled from 4-7 p.m."EMS After Hours" will also present a Thursday evening lecture series: "Adventures, Epics and Anecdotes" from 7-8:30 p.m., twice a month starting in January, featuring stories from the guides themselves about adventures in the mountains. There will be storytelling, slide shows and an open mic night for locals and visitors to share their own tales. The Lecture series will start off on Thursday, Jan. 15 with "Mount Washington: Stories of Survival." Guides Joan Lee-Elkin and Craig Taylor will tell harrowing tales of survival from past and present adventures on New England's highest peak. The second night of the series, "Kilimanjaro: An African Adventure and Safari" is scheduled for Jan. 29. EMS trek manager George Karaffa will share stories and photos of his recent trek. This program will help you how to prepare for a trip like this and teach you what to expect. The first open mic night will be held on Feb. 12, for locals and visitors who want to share their adventures. On Feb. 19, during vacation week, local guide Paul Cormier of Randolph, will present "Celebrate the Oral Tradition" an evening of poetry, fiddling and storytelling. On Saturday, Feb. 21, EMS will wrap up vacation week with a special program "Ghosts on Mount Washington" an evening of storytelling and sharing to honor those who have lost their lives on our mountain. This program will feature author and storyteller Clare Green, whose son Ned died in an accident in Huntington Ravine in February of 2001. Clare will be signing copies of her book "Cutting a Bond with the Long Trail" a compilation of Ned's journals and poetry. Proceeds from any book sales will go towards the Ned Green Scholarship fund at his local high school and the Green Mountain Club in Vermont. At each evening lecture, refreshments will be served and there will be time to mingle and ask questions before and after each presentation. The Thursday evening lectures are free and open to the public. Children over 6 who are "good listeners" are welcome. For more information on all of these programs visit www.emsclimb.com or call 1 (800) 310-4504.