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Winter Mountaineering Skills Course
$1,195


Dates
- 2025: January 17-19 | February 21-23 | March 14-16
This course has been designed to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the art of winter mountaineering. Our primary objective, Crystal Crag, serves as an ideal base camp location. It offers the unique advantage of being in terrain that remains accessible even during significant winter storms, safeguarded from the threat of avalanches. Moreover, it presents you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Lakes Basin in the Mammoth area.
While Crystal Crag’s south ridge might be a straightforward climb in the Sierra during the summer months, tackling it with bulky winter gear, amidst a blanket of snow, and exposure to the relentless winds sweeping across the Sierra Crest, transforms it into a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge that will undoubtedly ignite your passion for further winter adventures.
Guide to Participant ratio
For the first day of this program we maintain a guide-to-participant ratio of one guide for every four participants. This setup is particularly advantageous when rock climbing. However, as we transition to the peak ascent phase, we introduce an additional guide, reducing the ratio to one guide for every two climbers.
Prerequisites
Prior basic rock climbing experience is a prerequisite for this course. You should possess fundamental skills such as tying into a rope and a working knowledge of belaying. If you’re not yet acquainted with these skills, consider investing an hour or two at a local climbing gym to bring yourself up to speed. Rest assured, we’ll conduct a thorough belay skills review before we embark on the climbing portion of the program, and we’ll continuously provide guidance on movement throughout the course. Previous camping experience is also essential, although it does not need to be winter camping experience.
Gear
Snowshoes are the most effective means of transportation for this course. If you do not have them we offer snowshoe rentals. Check out our Equipment list for a full list of everything you will need for this course.
Inclusions
Price includes guiding, permits, all necessary climbing group gear, avalanche beacons, tents, and kitchen gear. We provide meals when we camp together. You will be responsible for your own lodging on night 1. We will camp together on night 2. Please bring your own snacks and lunch for day 1. We will provide lunch and dinner on day 2 and breakfast and lunch on day 3.
Looking for Snow Travel Skills?
Occasionally our guests express a keen interest in learning crampon and self-arrest techniques. It’s important to emphasize that these skills are most optimally acquired through participation in a dedicated spring/summer mountaineering program. The reason being, winter snow conditions often feature deep and soft snow, making these techniques less relevant and practical. However, in the event that both weather and terrain conditions align favorably, we may include instruction on these skills. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that they are best suited for use in firmer snow conditions as opposed to deep powder. For these skills, we recommend our spring Snow Travel Skills course.
While the schedule outlined above represents our preferred plan, it’s crucial to bear in mind that, given the unpredictable nature of winter conditions, adjustments may be necessary. We kindly ask you to remain flexible and prepared for potential changes. Regardless of any alterations, our primary commitment remains unwavering: to provide you with a safe and valuable educational experience.
Day 1
The first day of this course is dedicated to honing essential rope techniques and acclimating to the unique challenge of climbing snowy rock in robust winter boots. Our primary focus is to ensure that everyone is well-versed in the fundamentals before venturing into the mountains. Additionally, we’ll provide comprehensive instruction on the proper use of avalanche beacons and techniques for avalanche rescue. Accommodation for night 1 is not provided.
Day 2
We head our to our basecamp and prepare for our ascent of Crystal Crag. Our journey to the campsite begins at the Lakes Basin trailhead, located just outside Mammoth. Initially, we follow a groomed ski trail for several miles, eventually arriving at our designated campsite in the vicinity of Crystal Crag. Here, we embark on the crucial task of creating a sturdy and weather-protected camp. This phase also includes delving into the finer points of camp life, which can significantly enhance the overall enjoyment of a winter expedition.
Day 3
As we evaluate and discuss the avalanche risk, we navigate our route toward the col nestled at the foot of the South Ridge. Proceeding from this point, we weave through snow ramps and negotiate brief rock steps along the ridge crest, either moving together as a group or in rope pitches, until we reach the summit. Once at the pinnacle, we are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic vistas that stretch across Mammoth, Sherwin Ridge, and extend far into the desert, all the way to the White Mountains.
After soaking in the awe-inspiring views, we retrace our steps, following the same path back to our campsite. As we conclude our mountaineering experience, we dismantle our camp and embark on the journey back to the trailhead, with the aim of returning to our vehicles in the late afternoon.
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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