Basic Mountaineering Orientation - Winter 2011

Trip planning, history, announcements, books, movies, opinions, etc.
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a class, none attending are paying, and we are not a guiding service. This is just a way for those interested to learn some basics and do a simple climb up Mount Baldy via the Bowl. We are not responsible for your well-being, safety, and all of that nonsense, so don't sue any of us, mmkay?

Also, check this first post for updates.

Hi guys, I'm organizing a basic mountaineering "clinic" on Baldy, with a climb up Baldy Bowl. The purpose of this trip is to get new climbers and others getting into winter trips and mountaineering comfortable and safe on the mountain.

We will be covering the very basics:
-Efficient Winter travel: Moving smartly
-Layering: staying warm and keeping cool
-Self-arrest: With and without axe, poles, and crampons, in all positions.
-Basic climbing and walking techniques


The more advanced side will simply be from experienced folks sharing their tips and techniques that often don't find their way into a book.

Required gear:
-Crampons: 10pt, 12pt, the usual.
-Axe: One standard mountaineering axe
-Helmet: A helmet will be required for climbing up Baldy Bowl. If you don't have one, you can take the trail up through the trees to the ridgeline.
-Gloves: Some good gloves you wouldn't mind self-arresting in a lot.

For glacier practice, everyone will need, in addition to the crampons, ice axe and helmet, an alpine harness and at least one locking caribiner. We can work out ropes, pulleys, pickets and other gear off-line.

Date is 8th of January at 6am, with the 29th of January for glacier practice. First major snow is typically mid-December, but due to the holiday season we probably won't get many folks out. Meet up at Manker Flat at 6am! We will start hiking up to the Bowl by 630.

If you are interested, reply to this message.
User avatar
bertfivesix
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 pm

Post by bertfivesix »

Some course suggestions..

> Advanced Winter Survival: Eating Your Friends - Selection and Technique
> Cliffhanger 101: A Study Companion to the Groundbreaking Alpine Hand-to-Hand Combat Documentary
> Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills - Cover-to-Cover. 48 consecutive days.
User avatar
hvydrt
Posts: 494
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:18 pm

Post by hvydrt »

bertfivesix wrote: Some course suggestions..
No ice axe air guitar technique?

Good idea Taco
User avatar
titanhangman
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:18 pm

Post by titanhangman »

Count me in for sure.

-jeff
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

bertfivesix wrote: Some course suggestions..

> Advanced Winter Survival: Eating Your Friends - Selection and Technique
> Cliffhanger 101: A Study Companion to the Groundbreaking Alpine Hand-to-Hand Combat Documentary
> Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills - Cover-to-Cover. 48 consecutive days.
Also,

>"Don't walk around my tent with your crampons on": Making friends at camp.
>How to blow up your tent, starring MSR White Gas.
>"Why is the snow red?": How to tell when you're starting to have fun.
User avatar
bertfivesix
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 pm

Post by bertfivesix »

hvydrt wrote:
bertfivesix wrote: Some course suggestions..
No ice axe air guitar technique?

Good idea Taco
Can't be taught. You've either got it or you don't.
User avatar
bertfivesix
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 pm

Post by bertfivesix »

Taco wrote:
bertfivesix wrote: Some course suggestions..

> Advanced Winter Survival: Eating Your Friends - Selection and Technique
> Cliffhanger 101: A Study Companion to the Groundbreaking Alpine Hand-to-Hand Combat Documentary
> Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills - Cover-to-Cover. 48 consecutive days.
Also,

>"Don't walk around my tent with your crampons on": Making friends at camp.
>How to blow up your tent, starring MSR White Gas.
>"Why is the snow red?": How to tell when you're starting to have fun.
Hey, it was cold and I was tired of my eyebrows anyway.
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

:lol:

I've added a short list of required gear to the original post.
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

Some scheduling blackout dates for me:

Can't make it on the 15th (youth hike) or the 22nd (SHOT Show).

That leaves the 8th and the 29th open for me.
Nunc est bibendum
User avatar
spotfin
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:30 pm

Post by spotfin »

I am definetly interested, all depends on the final date.
User avatar
calicokid
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:07 pm

Post by calicokid »

I am interested in the class. Hope the date will be good for me.
User avatar
Zach
Posts: 522
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:25 pm

Post by Zach »

I'll definitely try to attend if its later in January. Also, I'll probably bring a newbie or 2.
User avatar
So.BayMark
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 5:04 pm

Post by So.BayMark »

I'm in...I like to meet this cartoon character Taco..

If I can't make the weekend class do you do weekday classes, I'll have new vacation and sick time to use :D

mark
User avatar
TracieB
Posts: 216
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:57 am

Post by TracieB »

Hi Taco! Sounds like a fun day - if it's on a weekend please count me in :D
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

Arright, everyone agree on a date. I don't have a job so it doesn't matter to me. :( I'm free pretty much any day.
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

Saturday, 29 January. Done.
Nunc est bibendum
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

GOING ONCE.... GOING TWICE...
User avatar
bertfivesix
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 pm

Post by bertfivesix »

Sooner rather than later. 08JAN. Kaboom.
User avatar
titanhangman
Posts: 75
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:18 pm

Post by titanhangman »

I like both the 8th and 29th of Jan.
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

I also prefer sooner rather than later, so people can enjoy more of the season.
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

Since Zach asked for early in the month and Taco for late in the month, I am scheduling two Saturdays in January:

8 January
29 January

After some basic stuff on the 8th, I would also, on the 29th, like to rope up a couple of three-man teams for a climb up the bowl to simulate glacier travel. We could also practice glacier rescue and anchors.
Nunc est bibendum
User avatar
bertfivesix
Posts: 206
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:29 pm

Post by bertfivesix »

I am VERY down to try out roped team glacier travel and rescue scenarios.
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

Glacier travel will be a real good idea, as something is coming up soon. :-)

I figure the sooner the better for the clinic, since the month of January is a big time for winter mountaineers here. Better to get some practice BEFORE y'all head to the hills. ;-)
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

The glacier stuff will come in handy later in the year, in the spring and even summer, for those who are interested in climbing stratovolcanoes.
Nunc est bibendum
User avatar
snmtbaldy
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:01 pm

Post by snmtbaldy »

Hi Taco,
Please count me in if there is more room.
Shin
User avatar
mve
Posts: 414
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:53 pm

Post by mve »

bertfivesix wrote: I am VERY down to try out roped team glacier travel and rescue scenarios.
ditto!
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

There's plenty of room for everyone. The Bowl is quite large. ;-)
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

Taco, suggest you update the opening post to mention the two dates and different equipment requirements.

For glacier practice, everyone will need, in addition to the crampons, ice axe and helmet, an alpine harness and at least one locking caribiner. We can work out ropes, pulleys, pickets and other gear off-line.
Nunc est bibendum
User avatar
Taco
Snownado survivor
Posts: 6036
Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:35 pm

Post by Taco »

Updated. Thanks Simonov.
User avatar
simonov
Posts: 1087
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 5:44 pm
Location: Reno, NV
Contact:

Post by simonov »

Well, my idea is to do both dates: the 8th for basic self arrest practice and the 29th for roped travel and glacier rescue.
Nunc est bibendum
Post Reply