The Wasatch Mountains in springtime present an ideal venue for learning and enjoying mountaineering, as spring snow and warm, dry rock typically exist side-by-side. This class will teach technical rock and snow skills with plenty of hands-on practice and actual climbing. Participants should be fit, possess a desire to learn and have some mountain experience. However, proficiency in either rock or snow climbing is not a pre-requisite; it is an outcome.

Day 1: Alpine Rock Climbing

• Check gear to make sure each piece of equipment for all four days is in good condition and fit for its intended purpose
• Review belaying, rappelling and techniques for efficient movement on rock
• Start with a moderate rock climb, such as Reservoir Ridge
• Follow with an intermediate multi-pitch climb like Steort's Arete
• Belay a leader and a follower from a ledge
• Clean the protection, remove anchors and climb as a team
• Descend via pre-rigged multi-pitch rappel

Day 2: Snow Travel Skills and Toledo Peak Mixed Climb

• Ascend to Toledo Peak, West Ridge
• Climb in balance on snowy and icy surfaces
• Travel on rock, snow and ice with crampons and axe
• Climb as a rope team with proper tension between climbers and running belays
• Multi-pitch, mixed alpine climb to the 10,500-foot summit
• Descend Toledo Bowl practicing glissading and self-arrest

Day 3: Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel

• Ascend to a simulated crevasse, usually a gully with a corniced lip in Alta
• Place and equalize pickets, bollards and deadman to build snow anchors
• Learn raising systems using hitches and knots learned in the camp
• Belay yourself to a crevasse lip, pad it, raise and lower a companion
• Fit prusiks and ascend a rope

Day 4: Big Mountaineering Route

• Meet at Einstein Bagel Shop, Olympus Cove, 6 am
• Put all skills together by climbing longer mixed route on Mt. Olympus
• Hike and scramble to snow line and ascend snow gully using axe and crampons
• Climb 8-10 pitches of moderate rock
• Descend by down-climbing to west and rappelling gully system
• South Ridge of Superior, with an approach up the snow-filled Suicide Chute, is an alternate destination for this day, depending on current weather and mountain conditions

Doesn't fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses 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 custom guiding options.

How to Register:

• Register Online
• Call us at (801) 550 3986
• Email us