advanced ski mountaineerinG course
This is an advanced level course designed for skiers wishing to become ski guides. The course will have an emphasis on spring skiing and will often include mountaineering objectives as part of the day skiing. Objectives will vary depending on conditions, but may include the 5 Lyell peaks (all over 11,000 feet), Icefall peak, Mt Kemmel, and La Clytte.
There will be an emphasis on guiding techniques for those wishing to pursue a guiding career .The course will try to put participants in a leadership position, structured similar to the ACMG guides courses. The course will be taught by IFMGA Mountain Guide, Larry Dolecki. Larry is involved in the ACMG training and certification program and will be able to give valuable feedback to participants on where they are relative to the standard on the guides courses.
Participants should have extensive ski touring experience, expert skiing ability, and excellent physical condition. There will be big ski days in complex heavily glaciated terrain. Participants will need to present a resume of previous ski touring and mountaineering experience when applying for the course.
- Crevasse rescue and rope techniques for glacier travel.
- Use of crampons and ski crampons.
- Route planning.
- Whiteout navigation.
- Short roping on snow and rock.
- Decision making.
Dates: May 1- 8, 2010
Price: $1800; $500 deposit required to book, balance due at the start of the course.
Included: Accommodation at Icefall Lodge or the Lyell Hut, food, guiding and instruction.
Example Objectives:
Diamond Spur is an advanced ski mountaineering objective which leads to the summit of Icefall Peak. This route was first climbed and skied on the 2006 ski mountaineering course. Boot hiking, crampon, and short roping technique were used for this climb.
Steep traverses in icy morning conditions require different techniques such ski crampons. In the spring if you ski a slope too early and it is icy, hard and not much fun. Ski too late and the snow is too soft, there is avalanche danger, and bridged crevasses are collapsing. Learn the subtle balance between aspect, elevation, pitch, and temperature to plan the trip for perfect timing
