Snow Travel Course

Overview

Snow Travel Course in the Eastern Sierra! Are you planning adventures that take you over high passes in the Sierra? Do you aspire to climb big peaks in the Sierra and worldwide such as Mexico’s Volcanoes, Ecuador’s Volcanoes, Mt. Elbrus or others? Many trips require traveling over snow, from peak ascents to backpacking journeys over 12000’+ passes along the Sierra Crest.

Our Snow Travel Course covers skills for climbing and descending on snow. This course gets you climbing on snow right away because it’s loaded with practical topics to get you up and running. Whether you plan to travel over high passes in the Sierra during the summer, or you aspire to climb big peaks throughout the year this course is for you!

Skills practiced include:

Ascending and descending snowy terrain: rest steps, plunging, kicking movements, chopping steps
Ice axe skills: carrying and gripping methods, self-arrest to stop falls in many positions
Crampons: types for various uses, securely attaching to footwear, effective ascending and descending techniques
Rope travel: an introduction to roped travel on snow, and running belays
Efficient breathing at high altitude
Energy conservation
Avoiding common mistakes
Modern equipment selection and use

Snow Anchors and Crevasse Rescue School

We offer this course as a second day add-on to our Snow Travel School or as a stand alone day.

Our Snow Anchors and Crevasse Rescue School covers essential skills needed to climb on snowy terrain steep enough to warrant placing anchors for protection, or on glaciated routes. Topics discussed include pulley systems, types of snow anchors, and their application. We also cover rescue procedures, team management, and safety. Different types of equipment will be discussed throughout the day.