A comphrensive winter climbing course for those wishing to learn
all the skills for winter mountaineering & alpine climbing...Rock climbing, ice climbing and winter mountaineering. Conducted in California's Eastern Sierra climbing mecca's of Lee Vining, Owens River Gorge and The Sawtooths Range of the High Sierra. No previous climbing experience neccessary.
This winter climbing course starts in the year-round rock climbing mecca of Owens River Gorge where we spend 2 days learning all the basics of rock climbing including movement on rock and basic rock anchor building and protection placement. We then move an hour North to the West Coast's best ice climbing area, Lee Vining Canyon, where we spend 2 days climbing frozen waterfalls with ice tools and crampons and learning all about movement on ice. We will also cover buidling ice anchors and placing ice screws for protection.
Then we move deep into the winter backcountry of the spectacular Sawtooth Ridge area on the Northern border of Yosemite National Park for three days of winter mountaineering. You will attempt the summit of Matterhorn Peak (12,300 ft) and learn all about winter backcountry travel and winter mountaineering including snow climbing, ice ax self arrest and avalanche awareness and rescue. You might also get to sleep in a snow cave if you like!
Winter alpine climbing training will cover the basics of:
- Rock climbing - 2 days
- Ice Climbing - 2 days
- Winter Backcountry Travel & Safety
- Snow Camping, Winter Shelters and Snow Caves
- Avalanche Awareness
- Ice Ax Self Arrest
- Snow Climbing Technique
A winter climbing course for anyone interested in climbing
in the winter backcountry and as a foundation for more advanced alpine
climbing whether it be in California or the big snowy peaks of the world. Unlike other courses this comprehensive course allows for plenty of time to fully learn all the skills, not just skim over them.
We offer two options: the full 7-day course or an abbreviated 5-day course that leaves out the technical rock climbing training but still includes the vertical ice climbing and winter mountaineering.
For more California alpine climbing & winter mountaineering
courses check out our main Alpine
Climbing / Mountaineering page.
Location: East Side of the Sierra Nevada near the towns of Bishop, Lee Vining and Bridgeport. Only 5-6 hours from The SF Bay Area and 5-6 hours from Los Angeles.
Prerequisites: No previous climbing
experience required, but some previous experience in hiking
and backpacking is strongly reccommended. Previous Snowshoeing
experience is not necessary. Very good physical shape. Give
us a call if you have a question.
Dates 2011:
Feb 15-21 (5-day option: Feb 17-21)
Mar 14-20 (5-day option: Mar 16-20)
Cost:
7-days: $1150
5-days: $825
Ask about our lodging options.
Includes:
- AMGA trained and certified professional mountain guides
- Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.
- Group camping equipment, such as tents and cooking equipment.
- All technical climbing equipment (except footwear, snowshoes
or skis), is provided.
- Cost is based on a min of 3 sign-ups. A surhcarge of $100 is required for a total group size of two.
Lee Vining ice climbing section is operated by Sierra Mountain Guides, a company permited by the Inyo National Forest. |
