2012 Basic Winter Mountaineering Clinic
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:00 pm
Since last year was rather successful, some folks have called for the same this coming season. At the moment I'm just gauging interest. If you would like to help out as a sort of "admin" for the clinic or you'd like to attend, please say so in a reply to this post.
Any ideas, comments, etc are welcome if you attended last year and have feedback.
Last season's thread: https://eispiraten.com/viewtopic.php?t=3276
Same rules as last year... obviously those in attendance will need crampons, helmet, and an ice axe. Some of us have spares.
Cheers
-=UPDATE 20111210=-
Here is our basic itinerary for the 2012 Winter Mountaineering Clinic.
Please note that this is a clinic, and as such it is free. The 'instructors' are not to be held liable for any injuries or unfortunate situations that arise. That is not to say that I, as the organiser and head dude in charge, will be careless. It is just to say that I am not charging for this and I am not to be held liable if someone falls and breaks a leg. We are all adults meeting up to cover the basics of winter mountaineering, culminating in what is a typical ascent of Baldy via one of the many chutes in the Bowl.
If you have any questions, please email me at rdacey at gmail dot com with an email titled "2012 Winter Mountaineering Clinic - My Name" with your name in the title, as you can see.
I would like to get an accurate estimate regarding attendance. Last year, we had something like 30-40 people in attendance, and I expect more folks this year judging by the response I've received so far.
Please note that the date is NOT SET. I cannot specify a date without knowing beforehand the conditions present in the Baldy Bowl. We will be unable to practice the basics if the snow is too deep and too soft, and at worst the conditions could present an avalanche hazard. I will personally inspect the conditions a week or two prior to setting the final date for the course. I apologize for the inconvenience, but this is an absolute necessity.
6am - Meet at Manker Flats
0630 - Leave Manker, head to Ski hut
0800 - Meet at Ski Hut.
0830 - Discuss Mission Statement with group at Ski Hut
0900 - Head to south side of Bowl
0930 - Set up self-arrest and basic climbing lanes (instructor duties)
1000 - Basic 'instruction': this is the meat of the clinic, where the instructor/s will be covering the basics of "how to".
1200 - Climb Baldy Bowl
1400 - Descent: Glissading, downclimbing steep terrain, etc
1500-1600 - Meet back at Ski Hut.
1730 - Meet at Baldy Lodge for cool-down; dinner.
I plan on going to the Baldy Lodge in the village after the clinic for dinner and a brew. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone new to the 'sport' to exchange information with others regarding plans and partners, as well as just generally hanging out and having a good time.
-=REQUIRED GEAR=-
-Crampons: General mountaineering crampons, 10 or 12 point are fine. Microspikes may or may not cut it. I do not have any experience with them. I would say they are probably insufficient. An example of good crampons for this clinic would be the Black Diamond Contact Strap model.
-General mountaineering axe: One standard mountaineering axe will be required for the ascent. Obviously people have used poles, ice tools, etc to climb various parts of the bowl, but the everyday general ice axe is what we will be using to climb, descend, self-arrest, etc.
-Helmet: The clinic is held in an area that is almost completely free of rockfall danger, in the southern side of the Bowl. A helmet is still standard affair, especially when ascending the chutes in the Bowl, as rockfall is an ever-present danger there.
Clothing, boots, etc are all up to the individual. Standard light mountaineering boots such as the La Sportiva Trango are suggested. Soft soled boots and shoes are not suggested.
My goals for this course are as follows:
-Pass along basic skills
-Nobody gets hurt
-Smiles on faces
-A new world opened up for those new to the lifestyle
-Safety!
As I expect a rather high attendance this year, I would like a helper-monkey. Anyone interested in helping out with the very basics, let me know. Must be patient, experienced in general winter mountaineering, and good at working with people.
Adios!
Any ideas, comments, etc are welcome if you attended last year and have feedback.
Last season's thread: https://eispiraten.com/viewtopic.php?t=3276
Same rules as last year... obviously those in attendance will need crampons, helmet, and an ice axe. Some of us have spares.
Cheers
-=UPDATE 20111210=-
Here is our basic itinerary for the 2012 Winter Mountaineering Clinic.
Please note that this is a clinic, and as such it is free. The 'instructors' are not to be held liable for any injuries or unfortunate situations that arise. That is not to say that I, as the organiser and head dude in charge, will be careless. It is just to say that I am not charging for this and I am not to be held liable if someone falls and breaks a leg. We are all adults meeting up to cover the basics of winter mountaineering, culminating in what is a typical ascent of Baldy via one of the many chutes in the Bowl.
If you have any questions, please email me at rdacey at gmail dot com with an email titled "2012 Winter Mountaineering Clinic - My Name" with your name in the title, as you can see.
I would like to get an accurate estimate regarding attendance. Last year, we had something like 30-40 people in attendance, and I expect more folks this year judging by the response I've received so far.
Please note that the date is NOT SET. I cannot specify a date without knowing beforehand the conditions present in the Baldy Bowl. We will be unable to practice the basics if the snow is too deep and too soft, and at worst the conditions could present an avalanche hazard. I will personally inspect the conditions a week or two prior to setting the final date for the course. I apologize for the inconvenience, but this is an absolute necessity.
6am - Meet at Manker Flats
0630 - Leave Manker, head to Ski hut
0800 - Meet at Ski Hut.
0830 - Discuss Mission Statement with group at Ski Hut
0900 - Head to south side of Bowl
0930 - Set up self-arrest and basic climbing lanes (instructor duties)
1000 - Basic 'instruction': this is the meat of the clinic, where the instructor/s will be covering the basics of "how to".
1200 - Climb Baldy Bowl
1400 - Descent: Glissading, downclimbing steep terrain, etc
1500-1600 - Meet back at Ski Hut.
1730 - Meet at Baldy Lodge for cool-down; dinner.
I plan on going to the Baldy Lodge in the village after the clinic for dinner and a brew. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone new to the 'sport' to exchange information with others regarding plans and partners, as well as just generally hanging out and having a good time.
-=REQUIRED GEAR=-
-Crampons: General mountaineering crampons, 10 or 12 point are fine. Microspikes may or may not cut it. I do not have any experience with them. I would say they are probably insufficient. An example of good crampons for this clinic would be the Black Diamond Contact Strap model.
-General mountaineering axe: One standard mountaineering axe will be required for the ascent. Obviously people have used poles, ice tools, etc to climb various parts of the bowl, but the everyday general ice axe is what we will be using to climb, descend, self-arrest, etc.
-Helmet: The clinic is held in an area that is almost completely free of rockfall danger, in the southern side of the Bowl. A helmet is still standard affair, especially when ascending the chutes in the Bowl, as rockfall is an ever-present danger there.
Clothing, boots, etc are all up to the individual. Standard light mountaineering boots such as the La Sportiva Trango are suggested. Soft soled boots and shoes are not suggested.
My goals for this course are as follows:
-Pass along basic skills
-Nobody gets hurt
-Smiles on faces
-A new world opened up for those new to the lifestyle
-Safety!
As I expect a rather high attendance this year, I would like a helper-monkey. Anyone interested in helping out with the very basics, let me know. Must be patient, experienced in general winter mountaineering, and good at working with people.
Adios!
Next year though maybe 
just let me know when my friend
