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Snow Travel Skills
$225


Dates
- April 5, 13, 19, 26 | May 4, 10, 18, 24 | June 1, 7, 15, 21, 29
Learn to travel safely on snow using crampons, ice axes, and microspikes. Prepare for high passes and steep snow slopes on the JMT or PCT. Self-arrest, crampon techniques, and the ability to make informed decisions regarding conditions are crucial skills in the Sierra. The high passes of the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail can often hold snow until mid-summer. We will provide the skills to safely cross these snowy passes and mountain snowfields. This course is a starting point; we encourage you to get out and practice your skills before putting them to use on the trail.
You will have the chance to experiment with both crampons and microspikes. We encourage you to bring and try a variety of footwear during our course including lightweight mountain boots. The footwear you choose to take on your JMT or PCT hike will vary depending on conditions. Mountaineering boots work best with crampons and give more security on steep and firm snow slopes. Trail runners work best with microspikes and are lighter, more comfortable, and can work well on flatter snow crossings. We encourage you to try any footwear options you are considering during this course, so that you can be prepared for any conditions you may find on the trail. We have crampons and boots available to rent.
Course Locations
We will hold the course between Bishop and Lee Vining, depending on snow and road conditions. About a week before each course we will determine the best course location. We are conveniently located near many JMT and PCT exit points; many hikers exit the trail before reaching the high Sierra to take this course.
River Crossing Skills
River crossing skills are another crucial skill for traveling on the JMT or PCT. We offer River Crossing Skills and Snow Travel Skills on the same weekend so that you can get them both done with one trip to the East Side. If you sign up for both courses, use code “JMT2025” for a total of $50 off!
During the course we will practice and discuss the following skills which may be required on the JMT or PCT:
- An overview of the various types of crampons and how to fit them to boots
- Footwear options (mountain boots, trail runners, best options for JMT and PCT hikers, etc.)
- An overview of ice axes
- Proper use of the ice axe for balance
- Step kicking
- Step cutting
- Various techniques for ascending and descending snow slopes
- Self-arrest
- Snow anchors and belaying
We encourage you to bring both trail runners and lightweight mountain boots.
Rental Equipment
We have rental equipment available at checkout.
Reviews
Amanda, Snow Travel Skills Course
“I took SMC’s Snow Travel Skills course and their 3-day Mt. Whitney’s Mountaineer’s Route trip. The course was detailed and the instructor included a lot of practice time and feedback, plus helpful gear and planning trips. The course allowed me to feel confident about safely completing the Mountaineer’s Route.”
More Reviews
Jaime, River Crossing Skills
“Completed the River Crossing Skills course with Sierra Mountain Center this June, Larry was a great teacher! I learned so many valuable skills in one day, and I’m confident that I can now size up a river crossing to determine my suitability/safety as well as the proper way to get both myself and work with others to get across! Thanks SMC and Larry for a great day!”
Amanda, Intro to Mountaineering & More
“I have done a few trainings with Sierra Mountain Center and I highly recommend them as a training source for all your adventures. Last year I did their river crossing and a mountaineering basic course. I recently completed the mini mountain camp and I had the best time. I learned so much! My guide was Anouk and she was so badass. She taught me so much! I had a blast and I can’t wait to take my mountaineering to the next level. I will definitely use SMC as a future training source.”
Kaz, Winter Mountaineering Skills
“The four-day winter mountaineering course was everything I hoped it would be and more. I nabbed a spot just a week before the trip and Emma, the office manager, was super helpful in coordinating logistics and rental gear for me on short notice. Our first day was spent rock climbing in mountain boots; the second day was spent ice climbing; and the third and fourth days were spent backcountry camping and making a successful winter ascent of Crystal Crag. There were so many memorable moments throughout those four days that is hard to lick just a few to share but I’ll never forget snowshoeing across a frozen lake and climbing 4th class terrain in wind and snow. Our guides—Paloma, Dakota, and Tyler—were incredible throughout the trip and I’d gladly follow any one of them up a mountain again. They provided us with quality instruction in the field and good times back at camp. The guide team also did a great job adjusting the course to suit people of various ages, skill levels, and interests. In short, I had a lot of fun, learned a lot along the way, and believe the course was worth every penny. Thanks, SMC!”
James, Snow Travel Skills Course
“Thoroughly enjoyed their “Snow Travel Skills” course this past Sunday with Larry. He was an excellent instructor who gave us practical experiential opportunities to utilized these skill sets, equipment and increased our confidence in doing so. He was generous in answering our various questions and setting up the slope so we could practice safely what he was teaching us. I look forward to taking the river crossing course in the future as I add to my tools in doing the JMT at some point in my life, and until then, enjoying the wilderness with greater safety. Emma was also incredibly helpful in answering questions, reserving the equipment necessary and even offering recommendations to camp before/after the training.”
Lauren, Snow Travel Skills & River Crossing Skills Course
“Thoroughly enjoyed their “Snow Travel Skills” course this past Sunday with Larry. He was an excellent instructor who gave us practical experiential opportunities to utilized these skill sets, equipment and increased our confidence in doing so. He was generous in answering our various questions and setting up the slope so we could practice safely what he was teaching us. I look forward to taking the river crossing course in the future as I add to my tools in doing the JMT at some point in my life, and until then, enjoying the wilderness with greater safety. Emma was also incredibly helpful in answering questions, reserving the equipment necessary and even offering recommendations to camp before/after the training.”
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