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, protection placement and 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 and how to place ice screws for protection. 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. On the 4 hour snowshoe into basecamp, we discuss avalanche awareness and rescue techniques. We spend the afternoon setting up a "bombproof" winter camp and building winter shelters and snow caves, which you may sleep in if you like.
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. On the way we will do a snow school covering ice ax self arrest and basic snow climbing techniques. Spectacular views into Northern Yosemite National Park await us at the summit. 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 such as self-rescue before breaking basecamp and descending to
the trailhead. We usually arrive back at the cars
around 3pm.
Itinerary subject to change
