The use of an ice axe and crampons is critical to anyone who wants to be able to move with comfort and safety in the mountains. This course will prepare you to deal with high summer snowfields and start to develop the skills needed for mountaineering adventures. We will cover snow travel, self-belay with an ice axe, self arrest and crampon use. This course is appropriate for first time mountaineers or climbers looking to brush up on skills. This course is very weather and condition dependent and the curriculum will be adjusted to fit the conditions at the time of the course. The next steps in the mountaineering progression are the Rope Teams class followed by the Mt. Baldy Climb.