Basic Winter Mountaineering- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Winter Hiking/Mountaineering in California with SWS Mountain Guides
Highlights
- Winter ascent of Mt. Lassen (10,462 ft)
- Full introduction to winter mountaineering skills
- Winter camping, avalanche basics, mountain safety, route-finding and more!
- SWS Mountain Guides has 150 plus winter ascents of Mt. Lassen
- Climb with SWS Mountain Guides with over 29 years of guiding experience
- Excellent safety record in 29 years of continuous operation
Full Description
Basic winter mountaineering-expand your climbing season!
Our most popular winter course, which allows you to expand your climbing season from the summer & fall months to the winter and spring seasons. This course is designed to build a basic foundation of winter mountaineering skills for climbing or trekking mountains all over the world. Recommend for all types of winter adventurers, snowshoers, skiers, snowboarders, climbers, and mountaineers. You will learn the fundamentals of establishing a winter camping, traveling over winter terrain, basic avalanche safety/rescue, winter survival, staying warm, winter route finding, and mountain safety as well as technical skills in ice ax self-arrest, crampon use, and basic rope travel. The course culminates by putting your new skill to the test with a winter attempt of Lassen Peak (10,462 ft) in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Includes:
- Professional instruction/guides
- Breakfast(s), dinner(s) and hot drinks
- Group climbing equipment including: ice axes, crampons, helmets, harnesses
- Group camping equipment including: tents and stoves, and permits, permit fees
Excludes:
- Transportation to the meeting location in Mineral, California
- Personal items such as: sleeping bag, pack, proper footwear, personal clothing, snack and lunches
- Snowshoes (available for rent)
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
We will meet in Mineral, California at 8:00 am on the first day for a pack check and issuing of personal gear. We will car pool a short distance to the south entrance of Lassen National Park and snowshoe/ski into the backcountry and establish a base camp in an around Helen Lake. As we snowshoe/ski we will be instructing and holding informal lectures on such topics as route finding, avalanche awareness, staying warm in the winter environment, and snowshoe/ski instruction.
Day 2
We start with a full day of winter mountaineering skills instruction including; ice ax self arrest, crampon use, rope team travel, avalanche rescue and safety practice as well as discussions on mountain medicine, altitude effects, preparation for winter climbing and mountain weather. We then prepare for the next day's climb of Mt. Lassen with an early dinner and time to relax in the tents.
Day 3
We will be up early (Alpine start) for an attempt of Mt. Lassen 10,462 ft via the south ridge, returning to camp by noon to pack up our camp and snowshoe/ski back to the vehicles, arriving approximately 5:00 pm.
About The Operator:
SWS Mountain Guides
Headquarters:
Mt. Shasta, CA
Established:
January 1981
Our 2010 courses and climbs are conducted year around whether a first-time backpackers or a skilled mountaineer, we have a course to get you started or improve your techniques. We have been teaching & guiding, mountaineering, backpacking, winter mountaineering, rock & ice climbing for over 29 years on the best mountains in California. As well as conducting small personalized expeditions, treks & adventure travel throughout the world for over 20 years. We have an excellent safety record and our climbs and courses are kept small for maximum safety and the best experience! So whether you want to backpack in Yosemite or Climb some of the worlds biggest mountains, come explore our website and "EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE" with SWS Mountain Guides.