Annual Winter Mountaineering Clinic

Post by **Taco** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 3:42 pm

thiseukaryote wrote: Count me in!

What time would you guys be heading up to stay overnight at the ski hut? I would be up for that as well, if there are people heading up after work the day before.
I've only been up there once, so not sure if I should try getting there by myself in the dark.

If I could, I'd spend the previous day up there doing something, so probably early morning the day before. This is assuming I can secure the hut for a small-ish group.

Logan · Post by **Logan** » Wed Jan 01, 2014 12:29 am

This sounds cool. I am in. We just need some snow now.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:07 am

Snow? What's that?

HJ

Post by **Taco** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:10 pm

Originally I figured mid-January, buuuuut... who knows! We will know once the Bowl is in condition.

Beantown · Post by **Beantown** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 6:18 pm

Praying for snow and eager to try some mountaineering. I just got back from dry lake overnight not much snow up there either. I picked up a book mountaineering freedom of the hills to get me started till the snow!

Post by **Taco** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:41 am

I reckon I don't have to tell everyone that this event is being pushed back "hella far", or cancelled altogether. This is the worst winter I've ever experienced, because it isn't even here.

Jeremiah_Johnson · Post by **Jeremiah_Johnson** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:03 am

Anyone know about a local glacier maker for hire?

atypicaleric · Post by **atypicaleric** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:51 pm

Is this Winter Mountaineering Clinic starting to happen again? I see snow!

rocketboy · Post by **rocketboy** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 9:55 am

I second atypicaleric's question. If this is back on again at all this winter, I'd love to join.

Post by **Taco** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:50 am

A Saturday in January would be good. I have a very hard time requesting time off despite my extremely low social standing, so we would need to pick a day kinda right now.

Stockwell · Post by **Stockwell** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:43 am

Jan 17th or Jan 24th would be perfect for me! Highly interested, as always haha, I try and get ready for this every year but have never made it via gear, conditions, etc.

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:20 pm

atypicaleric wrote:

"A typical Eric" or "(an) Atypical Eric"?

And in either case...where's the dividing line?

mrnizegy · Post by **mrnizegy** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:43 am

I'd love to join in on this and meet some of you. Those dates would work for me. Doing Icehouse to Timber tomorrow!

grammacrobat · Post by **grammacrobat** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 11:37 am

I would love to join the group as well! I have all the gear and have a few winter ascents already under my belt. Would be great to learn and practice technique.

Post by **Taco** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:36 pm

OK, so far we have Jan 17 and Jan 24. I like 17. Whadaya say guyz?

Stockwell · Post by **Stockwell** » Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:39 pm

I will be keeping an eye on this thread Taco, the 17th would be awesome. More to hear hopefully as we get closer to than!

Post by **Taco** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 11:48 am

The 17th seems to be the popular choice so far. I'll plan on it and try to get that day off.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:39 pm

I'm interested as well, I just got back from up there yesterday just past the ski hut, there is so much snow my legs were sinking and to soft for a climb up the face so we had to fall back.

Edit: I can do the 17th but may I request the 10th? It's also a Saturday and 3 weeks away. Maybe I'm just a little impatient

Post by **Taco** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:32 am

You can do whatever you please, but I can only have one of those days off. Not that it's required that I'm there, but I typically organize the event.

kylemypaa · Post by **kylemypaa** » Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:03 pm

I'd love to get in on this...

Beantown · Post by **Beantown** » Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:45 am

I would like to get in on this, either date works for me. I have all the gear just need to put it to use!

Post by **Taco** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 1:05 pm

I've updated the name of the thread to make more sense.

For those of you new to this, here is a gear list. I'm covering essentials and not clothing/layers, as that's individual.

-Crampons: I would suggest strap crampons over microspikes. Microspikes are just fine for most outings in the area, and probably adequate for what is taught at the clinic, but they're more of a hiking tool than a mountaineer's tool. Black Diamond, Petzl, Camp, and Grivel all make easy to find strap crampons that can fit over most any waterproof boot.

-Boots: Anything waterproof will work, however you'd be best served by a light alpine boot designed specifically for mountaineering. It makes the experience much better. An example of such a boot would be the La Sportiva Trango, which is the gold standard.

-Axe: A standard mountaineering axe is best. I usually carry the common/standard Black Diamond Raven, 70cm in length. One may choose to have a leash for it. You can either buy one from REI or a similar location, or you can just make one out of webbing or a sling. Some do not use a leash.

-Helmet: A helmet is strongly suggested for climbing the bowl, or really any steep snow route in the San Gabriels. We have very loose rock here, and the freeze-thaw cycle loosens them and sends missiles down on climbers. We can discuss forecasting and route selection to avoid such objective hazards.

For layers and clothing, I would suggest highly water resistant pants that you don't mind beating up. You will be falling down a snow slope and self-arresting with an axe. and snow can be abrasive. Protect your skin and perhaps don't wear a $50,000 Arc`Teryx Mega Elite jacket.

Goretex gaiters are also a swell idea.

Any questions?

kylemypaa · Post by **kylemypaa** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:58 pm

When and where?

Post by **Taco** » Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:35 pm

January 17
How does meeting at the hut by 9am sound to everyone? Or perhaps in the bowl? I don't mean to direct excess traffic into the Ski Hut if that's a concern.

Last time (heh, the only time), we met at the bottom of the south side of the bowl, which has zero rockfall hazard (that day). I guess we'll all figure to meet in the bottom of the bowl around 9.

kylemypaa · Post by **kylemypaa** » Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:47 pm

I'll be there.

bluerail · Post by **bluerail** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:25 pm

last time was fun too

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:56 pm

Bummer, last time was fun! Gotta' work that weekend...

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:31 am

Here are some pics from the 2011 clinic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/simonov/s ... 681541187/

I'm sorry I can't make it this year; I already scheduled a hike with the teens that day.

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 8:42 pm

Thanks, Mitch! Yup, that's me following my friend Chad up the ridge.
I highly recommend that if any of you haven't tried or need to practice self-arrest, this is the place to do it. Great times! Thanks, Taco!

simonov wrote:

I'm sorry I can't make it this year; I already scheduled a hike with the teens that day.

Post by **Taco** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 5:57 pm

I do hope we get more snow, cause if we don't... Imma need some ideas.