Mountaineering Skills Day for Snowshoers

As low as:

$215.00 / person

(at 6:1 ratio)
  • STRENUOUSNESS
    •  
    •  
    •  
  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY
    •  
    •  
    •  
About

Some backcountry snowshoers inevitably start to want to venture into more adventurous terrain and eye up objectives that require more "mountaineering" type skills to manage more technical terrain safely and effectively.

This one day course in the Mount Washington backcountry gives an introduction to a wide range of mountaineering skills applicable in a backcountry snowshoe setting.

Course curriculum includes:

  • Looking at and discussing lightweight mountaineering equipment (rope kits; harnesses; multi rated helmets; belay, rappel and ascending devices; etc)
  • Steep snow climbing
  • Anchor building
  • Short roping and end roping on steep snow
  • Ice Axe use
  • Snow Rappels
  • Belayed snowshoe descent
  • Cramponing

Included

  • 1 day of instruction with an ACMG guide

Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Personal equipment 
  • Avi Kit (transceiver, shovel, probe – available as an add-on)
  • Lift ticket for quick access to the Washington backcountry (available as an add on) 
  • Personal technical gear (available as add on, see Gear List tab)

Questions? Send us an email to [email protected] or Check out our FAQ page for details about our booking and cancellation policy, and other commonly asked questions.

These trips utilize the lifts at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for quick access into terrain suitable to course objectives.

Note: Our guides have special permissions to access terrain outside the boundary lines at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. 

Itinerary
A typical day begins at 08:30 and finishes around 16:00.

Exact meeting details will be provided one-week prior in a pre-trip email.
Requirements

To maximize your enjoyment of the day and ensure the safety of our participants, we ask that you: 

  • Have moderate fitness (able to snowshoe for 5 -6 hours/day)
  • Have a basic understanding of your gear, and any limitations 
  • Are prepared to spend the day outside in variable conditions (please see gear list)
  • Are age 19+ (if you are a minor, please reach out to discuss options)

Gear List

The equipment list provided aims to prepare you to be comfortable in the field regardless of the weather. Please ensure that all your gear is functioning and in proper repair. If you have any questions, please send us an email (link). 

Avalanche Safety Gear

These items are available as an add on “avalanche kit” when you book, or by request for $15

  • Avalanche Transceiver (must be a modern, digital three-antenna)
  • Shovel: Collapsible aluminum shovel
  • Probe: Normal length probe somewhere from 220cm to 320cm

Hardware

  • Snowshoes + ski poles with big baskets
  • Warm boots to hike (Sorrels or hiking boots with gaiters)
  • Day pack (30 - 40L, or whatever will fit your gear)

Clothing

  • Waterproof/breathable jacket and pants
  • Lightweight, breathable jacket and pants (for uphill snowshoeing/climbing)
  • Insulated jacket (synthetic insulated jacket is strongly recommended)
  • Lightweight gloves for climbing/skinning 
  • Warm gloves
  • Warm hat
  • Balaclava or another type of neck warmer
  • Baselayers (top and bottom)

Mountaineering Equipment

Available as a “Mountaineering Kit” rental add on ($20) when you book or as individual/grouped items (please see the "Add-Ons" column for exact rates.

  • Crampons – simple, ten point general mountaineering crampon (either step-in or strap- on are fine depending on your boots)
  • Ice axe – general mountaineering tool, 60-80cm depending on your height
  • 4x locking carabiners – at least one should be pear-shaped
  • 3x regular carabiners
  • Harness – a simple, lightweight alpine seat harness
  • Belay/rappel device
  • 7mm accessory cord – 2 x 5 metre lengths
  • Double shoulder length sewn sling – should be rated to 22kn 

Other

  • Water
  • Lunch and snacks (prepared ahead of time and consumable on the go) 
  • Sunglasses
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun hat
  • Personal first aid (e.g. blister kit, medication)
  • Camera (optional)

Rentals


Avalanche Kit: We offer rental transceivers, shovels and probes as an add-on kit when you book or by request pre-trip. If you do not have your own modern, digital, three antenna transceiver, collapsible shovel, and/or probe - please request a rental kit prior to your course/trip.

Touring Gear: 'Ski Tak Hut' in Courtenay (https://www.skitakhut.com/pages/rentals) offers snowshoe rentals. Snowshoe rentals from STH come with powder basket ski poles. Clients on IAG courses and trips are eligible to receive a unique 25% discount code towards their gear rentals from Ski Tak Hut for the duration of their course/trip with us. These discount codes are distributed directly by IAG to our clients upon request. Rentals from Ski Tak Hut can be ordered online using the unique discount code. Note you will be asked to show the booking confirmation you received from us when you pick up your gear.

Mountaineering Kit Rental $20.00
Ice Axe, Crampons, Helmet, Harness, Carabiners, Cords and Sling. All these items are required to participate in the course. See the precise technical gear requirements in the 'Gear List' tab within this course information webpage. Once purchased - our rentals are non-refundable.
Crampons only - Rental $5.00
Ice Axe only - Rental $5.00
Carabiners, Belay/Rappel Device, Sling, and Cord Kit only - Rental $5.00
Harness only - Rental $5.00

Testimonials

There are currently no testimonials for this trip yet.