In the mountains, all is pure, all is calm,
all complication is cut off.
Rare are they who know how to listen,
happy they who possess wisdom.
One pauses on high ledges,
one climbs to the high clouds,
one sits in the depths of a gorge,
one pauses in windy grottos.
Here is the realm of harmony and joy,
where the past and present become eternal.
Hsieh Ling-Yun 385-433AD
What was true nearly 2000 years ago is even more so today. In the modern world with the pressures of cities, job, family, financial turmoil and the mortgage it is always good to get to the mountains and to reconnect with the natural world, be it climbing, skiing, hiking or just sitting in the sun by a lake.
There are a lot of guide services offering trips in the Sierra Nevada, so why do we believe that you will get the most out of letting us be your guides.
We are knowledgeable and local
We are the oldest most established local guide service. The Eastern Sierra has been our home for nearly 30 years and these are the mountains where we love to climb, hike and ski. There are few working guides who know the Sierra as well as we do, from the popular paths of the Sierra, but also the little-known places where we have been exploring new routes, tours and remote summits.We know the best routes and the small details that make for a successful trip. When you call us and ask what conditions are, we simply look out our office window and give you up to date information.
We have also literally helped write the books on climbing here - "High Sierra Climbing" by Chris McNamara, of Supertopo – “Eastern Sierra Ice” – self-published by us and newly published “The Climbers Guide to the Bishop Area” by Maximus Press.
We are qualified
We believe in the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) programs and the level of quality assurance that they give you in choosing a guide. Our guides are trained and certified by the AMGA. Certified guides have demonstrated before his or her peers high levels of competence and judgment as well as fulfilling technical requirements such as emergency medical certification, rescue training, and snow stability forecasting. Guides certified in rock, alpine and ski gain the international (IFMGA) credential. This IFMGA credential makes us one of the few companies able to guide in other member countries.
We care about wild places
We have been active in Wilderness preservation for years and SMC takes its responsibility to the land seriously with an important part of our programsbeing to help others learn about and experience the land we love. SMC guides are trained in Leave No Trace principles and travel lightly upon the land. Join us in exploring and preserving this remarkable and fragile environment.
We have trips for everyone
Our trips are designed to cater to all skill levels from the novice to the expert. We divide instructional programs into “Acquiring the Skills” for those wishing to gain knowledge and techniques and “Applying the Skills” which put your skills to use allowing you to take the next steps in challenging yourself.
Our groups are small with low guide to participant ratios
Large groups can detract from the learning process and the wilderness experience. We work to keep ratios as small as practical, and our small groups give you more of what you came for: skiing, climbing and exploring the Sierra.
All inclusive programs
Scheduled trip prices are all-inclusive (except for any rental equipment). Overnight backcountry programs include permit fees; group equipment such as kitchen, group technical gear, first aid supplies and avalanche beacons and good backcountry breakfast, lunch and dinners.
We offer scheduled and private guiding and custom trips
With a custom trip you get exactly what you want, when you want it and with whom you want, if you want company at all. Call us to arrange a custom trip with your goals and specifications.
Take the next step and join us in the mountains for a wilderness adventure.
CLIMBING SEASON IS HERE
Here is our video description of what it is like to climb Thunderbolt in the Palisades with SMC
WHAT DO SMC GUIDES DO ON THEIR DAYS OFF?
SP, Braden and Andrew climb the SW face of Liberty Cap in Yosemite
For better quality video you can go to our YouTube Site and click the "watch in higher resolution button".
After many years of working it's way through Washington, California has 70,00 acres of new Wilderness. This is the biggest expansion in 25 years amd now the White Mountains and the Owens Headwaters are all added to existing areas. Come explore the fantastic White Mountain Traverse with us this year and experience the best wilderness in the state..
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
7/26/09
We are moving out of the wet period we had in early June and temperatures are increasing. Still plenty of snow in the mountains with plenty of snow onthe Mountaineers Route on Whitney and the White Mountains are very white.
But we still plan to be up early and down early!
MOUNT WHITNEY
Summer 2009 Whitney Climbs
The US Forest Service has just instituted regulations that severely limit the number of people any guide service can guide up the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek for the period July 4-September 7. SMC has the second most days available of any guide service but these are pretty much gone as of now. We still have space on some of the scheduled Mountaineers climbs and outside of July 4 to September 7 we are OK - except for obtaining the wilderness permit.
Newsflash
Whitney Permits Available
We just had trip cancellations and have permits for June 18-21 for 2 people and 19-21 for 3 people. If you want either call Connie quickly !
NORMAN CLYDE EXHIBIT
Norman Clyde is a climbing legend and there is a new exhibit at the Eastern Sierra Museum in Independenece.The museum is close to Highway 395, in the center of town, so if you are driving to or from Bishop stop by and check it out. The exhibit has been co-curated by our friend Andy Seltesr and has lots of cool photos from the "golden days".
SMC VIDEO
We have been working hard shooting, editing and producing some video to give you a better idea of what we do and what your trip mught look like. This is an on going process as we continue to create things, but here is what we have so far.
Clicking the link below will take you to the page. You can also find us on YouTube by CLICKING HERE
Sierra Mountain Center, LLC is an equal opportunity employer operating on a non-discriminating basis in accordance with Federal law and US Dept. Agriculture policy and with permits from Inyo National Forest, Denali National Park, Yosemite National Park, Toiyabe National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and other agencies where required.
