Day 1
We meet in the town of Bridgeport where we
discuss rock climbing gear options. We then drive
a short distance to the local crag where we begin
our rock climbing training. Skills covered will be
basic movement, belaying and all knots. There will
be plenty of time for enjoying some top rope climbs.
Afterwards, we settle into a car camping-based group
campsite in the Bridgeport area and enjoy a fine meal
and campfire.
Day 2
Today we continue our training with an introduction
to multi-pitch climbing and a short multi-pitch climb.
We will also cover rappelling and have time for some
top rope climbs. We spend another evening at the campsite
discussing our gear for the next day around the campfire.
Day 3
We meet at the Twin Lakes, the trailhead for Matterhorn
Peak and the Sawtooth Range. We hike approximately
2,000 ft in elevation gain and about 4 miles where
we establish a comfotable basecamp under the shadow
of the jagged Sawtooth peaks. The evening is spent
acclimating, making prusik cords and enjoying fine
camp food prepared by your guide.
Day 4
After breakfast we begin our mountaineering skills
seminars with a full snow school including ice axe
and alpine ice climbing cramponing techniques, snow
and ice anchoring principles and belaying techniques.
The rest of the day is spent learning basic glacier
roped travel and navigation techniques with also the
possibility of ascending the Polomonium couloir, a
45 degree snow climb.
Day 5
Today is crevasse rescue and ice climbing day. After
breakfast we journey up to the small Dragtooth or
Matterhorn glacier where we will cover proper crevasse
rescue techniques including hauling systems, prusiking
(rope ascending) techniques and one-on-one rescues.
We will finish up with some alpine ice climbing practise
on a nearby ice shield and couloir.
Day 6
Today is summit day on Matterhorn Peak. After crossing
the small Glacier we will climb the North Arete, a
6-7 pitch alpine rock climb up to 5.6 in difficulty.
A truly magnificent route with a spectacular summit.
the descent involves 40 degree snow and the use of
the ice axe. That evening is spent resting at base
camp.
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.
