Winter weather is upon us. Free glacier travel field trip for learning life saving skills for mountaineering. Assuming we will have enough snow at Stevens, we can meet at the North East Parking lot of the ski area (north side of the highway).
Planning for a fun one day field trip to go out and practice in the new snow. (NO workshop at the home base this month because of holiday plans). We will get some winter travel in going up to the rock garden above Skyline lake on the north side of Stevens Pass, assuming the get the road open (otherwise an alternative location may be necessary). If we have enough snow, we can practice crevasse self rescue and z-pulley rescue for glacier travel. With self-rescue practice techniques for glacier skiing/split-boarding (bring your gear) for those that want it. Participants will simulate hanging in a crevasse, wearing all of their gear, and practice self rescue by removing and stowing their gear while hanging on the end of the rope, and than ascending up the rope with the gear they carry. Practice a set up and rescue a victim from a (simulated) crevasse in the snow with a z-pulley rig. it is open to all experience level participants, newbies welcome, and experienced climbers get to practice too.
You must be reasonably fit and have the gear to comfortably spend the day out in winter conditions. This field trip will likely require skis, split boards or snow shoes (with suitable foot wear for snow travel). there will be several miles of steep hiking or skiing to get into the good practice area in the rock garden above Skyline lake (north side of the Stevens pass hwy).
The field trip is for those fit, well prepared and equipped. We can also practice rope team travel to the practice area. trail head access is good. We should return home Saturday night. This Saturday field trip is suitable and open to all skill and experience levels, as long as you are properly equipped for winter hiking conditions, in a long day in the mountains in Alpine conditions. it will be fun weekend to meet friends and practice in a low stress environment.
Since it is still early in the winter season, we plan on going to Stevens pass, but if there is still not enough new snow, we can consider going to heliotrope trail at mt. baker, presuming the road is open to the trailhead, and we have no new snow by next Saturday.
This field trip is free of charge, though a free will donation to support the program is gratefully accepted.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Skykomish, Sports events in Skykomish.
