Sequoia Winter Mountaineering
This trip is not available at this time. Be sure to check out our other trips. 11/26/2008
Venture into Sequoia National Park after the crowds have gone for a great opportunity to extend your backpacking season or develop foundational winter camping, backcountry skiing and mountaineering skills on this winter weekend getaway. Learn snow camping and travel skills needed to access the backcountry in winter, as well as navigation and route-finding, medicine for mountaineering, ice ax self-arrest, crampon use, and basic rope team travel while developing skills needed to camp comfortably on snow-covered terrain. This course has got it all!
Sequoia Winter Mountaineering Itinerary:
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Night before
Since we will meet at 8:00 am on day one of your trip, you may choose to arrive the night before our trip begins. Optional hotel night stays are not included in the cost of this trip. Be sure to book any hotel nights you may wish to book as early as possible. We recommend the nearby Wuksachi Lodge. To make reservations call 1-888-252-5757. There is also lodging in Three Rivers, CA, about 1.5 hours from our meeting place.
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Sequoia National Park, California. Meet your guides at the Lodgepole Visitor Center at 8:00 am. After a brief orientation, we ski or snowshoe into Sequoia National Park and establish a base camp. Along the way, look forward to informal lectures as opportunities present. Instruction in snow camping will be provided as we establish our base camp, then we eat and rest for a big day of skill-building tomorrow. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner, including hot drinks. Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten constantly throughout the day as lunch and snacks. We recommend energy bars and quick foods like bagels, cheese, candy or granola bars, crackers, cookies, hard candy, chocolate and the like.
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Day 2
Today expect thorough instruction in route-finding, ice ax and crampon use, basic rope team travel skills, avalanche awareness, medicine for mountaineering and more. We learn through lecture, demonstration and practice as we cultivate the skills needed for tomorrow’s attempt at the summit of Alta Peak. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner, including hot drinks. Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten constantly throughout the day as lunch and snacks - bagels, cheese, energy bars, etc
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Day 3
Our Alta Peak summit attempt commences early in the morning, weather permitting. We plan on returning to camp from our summit attempt by noon to pack and return to our meeting point, planning to arrive there between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, where we’ll offer congratulations and depart for home. Meals included: Breakfast. Bring your own variety of quick foods to be eaten constantly throughout the day.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and trail conditions.
This trip IS operated rain or shine.
Professional instruction and guiding; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; all group camping, climbing, and cooking gear; group first-aid kit, avalanche equipment, hot drinks, and permits.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages (please do not bring); guide gratuities, snack foods and 3 lunches, and items of a personal nature.
This trip is rated Vigorous (4) as the approach to the peak involves carrying a heavy backpack (40-50 lbs.) over snowy terrain with elevation gain and loss for up to 8 miles daily. The climbing portions of the trip involve travel on very steep terrain and at altitude, which is physically demanding. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your overall enjoyment is your overall fitness level.
Fresno Yosemite International Airport: 1.5 hours, 70 miles.
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place. Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Base camp temperatures can range from the 40s+ during the day to well below freezing at night. Summit temperatures can drop to the teens (or lower) and persistent wind is common. Sequoia’s winter weather can vary greatly, as with any mountainous area, and can generate its own unique and challenging conditions. Trip members should arrive prepared for all possibilities by following the gear recommendations below.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Sequoia Winter Mountaineering
Having the proper gear is vital to your comfort and overall enjoyment of the seminar. Attached is a gear list that has been specifically designed for this trip. We often get asked if all items appearing on this list are really required. Our guides assert that climbers must arrive prepared as indicated, but please keep in mind that not all gear will be required for all departures. The weather and terrain conditions on Alta Peak at the time of your arrival will dictate what clothing and equipment you will be required to carry to base camp and what (if anything) can be left behind. If you do not already own all of the necessary gear and are not certain if you will participate in winter camping or mountaineering trips on a regular basis, please consider renting.
The gear list below is comprehensive and designed to ensure that you have everything you need to be comfortable without creating necessary extra weight for you to carry into the backcountry. If you have questions about specific equipment, your local REI store is staffed with specialists that can sort through your gear needs with you thoroughly and advise.
Weather
Base camp temperatures can range from the 40s+ during the day to well below freezing at night. Summit temperatures can drop to the teens (or lower) and persistent wind is common. Sequoia’s winter weather can vary greatly, as with any mountainous area, and can generate its own unique and challenging conditions. Trip members should arrive prepared for all possibilities by following the gear recommendations below.
Gear Checklist
- Tent (2- or 3-person)
- Group cooking gear/kitchen (stoves, pots, etc.)
- Group climbing gear (ropes, harnesses, hardware)
- Ice ax & avalanche equipment
- Permits
- Snowshoes
- Crampons – 12 pt.
- Backpack - internal frame 4,000 cu. in. minimum
- *Climbing boots: Warm, waterproof climbing boots (leather mountaineering boots or double plastic climbing boots recommended). If you plan to ski, you must have backcountry ski boots. You must ski to an intermediate-advanced level in order to ski on this course. You may choose to snowshoe/crampon on the course instead, and you must climb in warm, waterproof boots
- If you wish to ski on this trip, you must bring your own skis appropriate for backcountry skiing (telemark or other binding that allows the heel to be freed for touring). You must ski to at least an intermediate level to ski on this course. Skinning uphill with a pack on is very difficult, and should not be attempted on this course unless you are experienced. All others should plan on snowshoeing.
- *Sleeping bag, 10°F minimum, down or synthetic
- *Sleeping pad: full length closed-cell foam pad or Therm-a-Rest
- Parka (MANDATORY): Either down or synthetic fill, rated to 10° F. A parka in addition to the waterproof shell jacket and other required upper-body layers. It is worn over all other layers, primarily on rest breaks and occasionally while climbing
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket with attached hood (ponchos not acceptable)
- Waterproof, breathable shell pants with side zippers allowing for easy on/off over boots
- Midweight wool or fleece jacket/sweater
- Midweight, thermal underwear top and bottom, synthetic or wool (no cotton)
- Wool or fleece pants
- Lightweight convertible pants
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Synthetic long-sleeve shirt
- Synthetic, quick-drying hiking shorts if your pants are not convertible
- Hiking socks and liner socks – 3 pairs of each
- Gaiters, mid-calf length minimum
- Waterproof overmitts
- Wool or fleece mittens/gloves, 2 pair
- Thin gloves or mitten liners
- Sun hat
- Wool or fleece hat
- Bandana for sun protection
- Headlamp, spare batteries & bulb (no flashlights)
- Sunglasses with dark lenses and side glare protection, often called glacier glasses
- Lunch items for each day (easily packable, non-perishable, energy bars and real foods)
- Trekking poles or ski poles
- Energy snacks and powdered drinks
- Favorite seasoning to flavor freeze-dried food
- Eating utensils - 1 large bowl, insulated mug or cup, spoon
- Two 1-quart water bottles (no hydration packs as the tubes freeze easily)
- Sun block and lip balm w/high SPF
- Toiletry kit
- ½-roll toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer gel
- Watch with alarm
- Two large and one small garbage bag
- Personal first-aid kit
- Camera and film, spare batteries
- Reading and writing materials
- Down or fleece vest
- Down booties
- Earplugs
- Compass
- Altimeter
- Sewing repair kit
- Neck gaiter
- Balaclava
- Ski goggles
Things to Consider
- Plan on adding 8 - 10 lbs. of group gear and food to your backpack before beginning the journey to basecamp.
- Plan on wearing warm, waterproof winter hiking boots if you are snowshoeing, or backcountry ski boots if you are planning to ski, as they help keep your feet warm and dry.
- Sleeping bags come in all different sizes and shapes. Both down and synthetic work fine, but try to bring a sleeping bag that is easily compressible. It should not weigh more than 4.5 pounds. If you are a cold sleeper, consider a bag with a 0°F rating and a hood.
- We recommend thin liner socks under your regular, thicker hiking socks. The liner sock should be made of a non-absorbent wicking material, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
- COTTON KILLS! Once cotton clothing becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax. Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer garments should fit easily over your layers without binding or bunching up.
- Please leave your cellular phones and other electronic devices at home or with your travel (non-climbing) luggage. This is an authentic wilderness experience and our guides carry cellular phones for emergency purposes only. Thank you for your cooperation.
