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 west 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 six participants. This setup is particularly advantageous when rock climbing, as it enables us to efficiently manage two ropes, with one climber, a belayer, and a backup belayer for each rope. However, as we transition to the peak ascent phase, we introduce an additional guide, reducing the ratio to one guide for every three 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. For a full gear list, please review the Equipment List in the “Resources” tab.

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.