Day 1
Today is spent at the Owens River Gorge near Bishop, CA, one of the California's best winter rock climbing areas. We cover the basics of rock climbing movement, belay techniques and rope management and get in some fun climbs. Overnight at a local hotel near Mammoth Lakes (not included)
Day 2
We continue our rock climbing training with an introduction
to rock climbing anchors and introduce rapelling techniques. We also get in more fun rock climbs. Overnight at a local hotel near Mammoth Lakes (not included).
Day 3
We meet at the town of Lee Vining for a hearty breakfast before heading up into Lee Vining Canyon or June Lake's Horsetail falls for our first day of ice climbing instruction. We cover all the basics of movement on ice with ice tools and crampons. Overnight at a local hotel (not included).
Day 4
Another day on the ice. We get more ice climbs in as well as learn about ice anchors. In the late afternoon we meet at the hotel and prepare for our backcountry trip into the Sawtooth Range. Overnight at a local hotel (not included).
Day 5
We begin our approach to our high camp at the base of Matterhorn Peak in the Sawtooth Range near the town of Bridgeport. We spend the afternoon setting up a "bombproof" winter camp and do a snow school covering ice ax self arrest and basic snow climbing techniques.
Day 6
Today is summit day on Matterhorn Peak. After crossing
the small Glacier we will climb the East or West Couloir in winter conditions with a little rock scrambling near the top. Spectacular views into Northern Yosemite National Park await. Along the way, we evaluate the snow stability and talk about winter route finding and navigation.
Day 7
The morning is spent reviewing any skills we need
to cover before breaking basecamp and descending to
the trailhead. We usually arrive back at the cars
around 3pm.
