Overnight Denali Training (3-Day)
Prepare for North America’s tallest peak in the high Wasatch with UMA’s 3-day Overnight Denali Training. Build snow mountaineering, expedition and winter camping skills, pull a sled and attempt an 11,000’peak with an experienced Denali guide. Common climbing objectives include Red or White Baldy and Red Top in White Pine Gulch.
Course Dates
- Mar 12-14, 2026 (Thursday-Saturday)
During UMA’s 3-day Overnight Denali Training, you’ll learn to efficiently load and carry an expedition pack, rig and tow a sled, and route-find while minimizing risk in avalanche terrain. The course covers how to establish a storm-proof camp with a well-anchored tent, melt snow for water, cook and dial in your sleeping systems in a cold, snowy environment. Over 3 days, you’ll learn to set up a raising system for crevasse rescue and practice ascending a rope, and apply ice-axe and crampon skills while attempting a high peak, using rock and snow protection for running belays and anchors. The guide will also set up a fixed line to practice with ascenders and clip through pickets.
Overnight Denali Training (3-Day) Outcomes
- Efficient loading and carrying of an expedition pack
- Sled rigging and hauling with snowshoes or skis
- Route-finding and avalanche safety
- Establishing a solid snow camp with tent anchors and snow walls
- Cooking and comfort in a cold, snowy environment
- Ice axe and crampons skills, including self-arrest
- Crampon climbing on snow and rock in exposed terrain
- Snow and rock protection, anchors and equalizing
- Crevasse rescue, raising systems and ascending a rope
- Use of running protection and clipping through
- Fixed line travel and use of ascenders
- Descending steep snow
Trip dates don’t fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses and trips can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.
Course Prerequisites
- Overnight camping and altitude experience are recommended.
Skill & Fitness Level
- You must be able to hike at altitude (between 8,000′ and 10,000′).
- This is an intermediate course.
This 3-day overnight course takes place in the Wasatch Mountains. Participants are expected to bring their own lunches, snacks and water. UMA provides dinners and breakfasts, a stove and a cook kit. UMA does not provide transportation.
SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION
The usual meeting time and place are 8 am at the Big Cottonwood Park & Ride lot, but these are subject to change. Exact meeting times and locations will be provided to enrolled participants before the course date.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.
Expedition 3-day Overnight Training EQUIPMENT LIST
- Non-cotton top and bottom base layers
- Puffy, hooded overcoat and/or other insulation layer (synthetic or down)
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants
- Wool socks (2-3 pairs)
- Waterproof snow gloves and mittens or spare gloves
- Lightweight climbing and/or fleece gloves
- Warm hat or balaclava for under your helmet
- Baseball cap (optional)
- Sunglasses and goggles
- Sunscreen
- 2 liters of water
- Lunches, quick energy snacks and drink mixes
- Insulated and waterproof mountaineering boots
- Gaiters
- Mountaineering crampons (non-rigid, 10-point lightweight designs are ideal)
- Mountaineering axe
- Backpack (55-70 liters)
- Sleeping bag (rated to 0°F)
- Inflatable backpacking sleeping pad
- Lightweight foam sleeping pad
- Mug, bowl and spoon
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Toiletries
- Harness
- Belay device
- Helmet
- Beacon
- Shovel
- Probe
- Snowshoes and poles (depending on conditions)
Please see our Winter/Spring Mountaineering Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.
Recommended Books
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills by The Mountaineers
Recommended Map
Hiking The Wasatch: The Official Wasatch Mountain Club Trail Map for Tri-County Area by the Wasatch Mountain Club & University of Utah Press
Please see the Mountaineering section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.
What type of crampons should I use?
10-point, hinged, flexible, lash-on spikes made of light metal (including aluminum) are ideal and adaptable to almost any boot. Step-in crampons are fine, but they won’t fit on softer boots that lack heel and toe rands for attachment. 12-point water-ice crampons are fine, but heavier than necessary.
What type of ice axe and leash is best?
A mountaineering axe usually has a straight shaft (as opposed to the radically curved shafts and reverse-droop picks designed specifically for water-ice and mixed climbing). Some newer mountaineering axes include a bend only in the upper shaft, and this is fine. Preferred length is 50-75 cm.
Given that many Wasatch routes are on a mix of rock, ice, and snow, a shorter axe is easier to stow for pure rock moves. For this reason, a RETAINER leash connected to the harness is required so the tool can’t be dropped. The best type is a 5′ long, single-strand of 1/2″ webbing attached with a water knot on the pick side of the axe head. Wrist loops are for steep ice and are NOT helpful for mountaineering.
How old do I need to be to join this program?
Participants must be at least 14 years of age to join a group course and must be accompanied by a parent for any overnight program.
Where do I meet my guide?
The guide will arrange a specific meeting location and time with you. Most commonly, this location is the Big Cottonwood Canyon Park & Ride lot.
