Mazamas

The 2008 Ski Mountaineering Class is full

Important Dates for 2008 Mazamas Ski Mountaineering

• Tues Jan 8, 2008 - Application Deadline
• Tues Jan 15, 2008 - First Lecture
• Wed Jan 16, 2008 – Gear presentation – location TBA, probably the Mountain Shop
• Sun Jan 20, 2008 - Mandatory Ski Skills Evaluation, Mt. Hood, ski area to be determined. You will need to provide your own a lift ticket for this event.
  

General Info

The Mazamas Ski Mountaineering Program is designed to teach you with the skills, attitude and awareness necessary to safely enjoy the many backcountry ski opportunities that exist in the Cascades and elsewhere. Ski mountaineering in the Northwest can span the spectrum from multi-day traverses to skiing off the summits of local volcanoes to just basking in the sunshine on the South Side of Hood in July. Each tour has its special joys and dangers.

Our goal is to help you make a safe and confident transition from skiing groomed slopes at resorts to touring the off-piste environment among mountains. The focus of this course is on the skills necessary to ascend/descend non-technical intermediate level ski mountaineering climbs in the Northwest (i.e., St. Helens, Snow Dome on Mt. Hood). The format of the class includes a series of lectures and field sessions that cover gear, travel techniques on backcountry skis (and snowboards), self-arrest techniques, emergency shelters, avalanche awareness (analysis, safe travel, and rescue), route finding, navigation, general mountaineering techniques, weather, trip planning. This course does NOT cover roped travel, crevasse rescue or advanced skiing/snowboard skills.

We recommend that applicants to the program have advanced or intermediate downhill ski and snowboard skills or better. The course is open to randonee (alpine touring) and telemark skiers as well as snowboarders.

We strongly recommend getting a copy and reading “Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Tremper for the class.

A compass is needed for the class.  We recommend getting a compass with adjustable declination.

We hope that you can join us in this program!

Cost and Registration

Mazamas Members, $125; Non-Members, $175 (does not include overnight at Mazama Lodge). Class fees must be paid by Tuesday Jan 8th via the on-line form.

Once accepted, course fees are not refundable after the first lecture. Students are responsible for ski rentals and other mountaineering gear (beacons and shovels will be provided). Age: Must be 18 years or older by the day of the first lecture.

Program capacity is limited, so apply early to ensure a spot. All students must attend the first introductory lecture on Tueasday Jan 15th to obtain information about clothing, equipment and course content. All lectures, starting promptly at 7:00 pm, are at the Mazama Mountaineering Center at 527 SE 43rd Avenue, Portland OR 97215, 503-227-2345.

Questions?  Please contact the lead coordinator via email:

Ski Mountaineering Trips

There are usually 8-10 ski mountaineering trips planned each year by the Mazamas Climbing Committee, from April - October.  These trips are listed in the climb schedule, which is published every April.  Contact the Mazamas office for a copy of the current climb schedule, or see it here on this web site.

General Equipment List

1. Clothing, food, water, ten essentials, etc. appropriate for an all day ski mountaineering tour.
2. METAL-EDGED mountaineering skis, preferably single-cambered, with sturdy bindings that fit your boots OR split snowboard and skins for uphill travel.
3. Stiff telemark or randonee boots.
4. Poles, preferably adjustable.
5. Climbing skins. You must have good quality climbing skins that adhere well to your skis/board. Please be familiar with how to put them on BEFORE arriving on a field session. Avoid, if possible, the strap-on variety of skins.
6. Pack capable of carrying your skis or board.
7. Large ensolite pad.
8. Ice axe (if you have one).
9. Shovel and beacon (if you have them, or we can supply if you don’t).
10. Compass with adjustable declination; altimeter if you have one.

Lecture and Field Session Schedule

- Lectures, except for Clothing and Equipment, at the Mazamas Mountaineering Center, 527 SE 43rd (at Stark), 7:00 pm
- Clothing and Equipment Lecture will be presented at the Mountain Shop, SE 7th and Broadway – from 7-9 pm.

Tues, Jan 15, 2008 -Lecture
Introduction to classes and course objectives, gear basics, NW weather lecture

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 - Lecture
Clothing and equipment Come see the newest gear, clothing and utilities at the Mountain Shop, 628 NE Broadway, Portland.

Sun, Jan 20, 2008 - Field
Ski Skills Evaluation, Mt. Hood, area TBA, 9:00 am. Ski with instructors and determine skill grouping for tours. This session is required for all students. Students must purchase own lift ticket.

Tues, Jan 22, 2008 - Lecture
Navigation and trip planning. Please bring your compass with adjustable declination and expect to get involved in exercises.

Sat, Jan 26, 2008 - Lecture and Field
Avalanche Lecture and Beacon practice, 8:30am - 4:30pm, at the Mazama Mountaineering Center.  Lecture covering the avalanche awareness, avoidance, rescue and beacon use. Lunch noon - 12:30, then beacon lecture and practice session in Gabriel park from 1:00 to 4:30 pm. Bring sack lunch.

Sun, Jan 27, 2008 - Field
Avalanche field session, 8:00 am Location: Mt hood area, exact location TBA in the Saturday avalanche lecture. 
Skiing in potential avalanche terrain, techniques for evaluating snowpack, safe routefinding, beacon practice in the snow, and mock rescue practices.  Avalanche beacons and shovels provided.

Tues, Jan 29, 2008 - Lecture
Winter camping/survival skills, emergency shelters, general mountaineering skills.

Sat, Feb 2, 2008 - Field
Basic Field Session; Mount Hood, 8:00 am. Outdoor experience with uphill travel, snow shelters, snowpack analysis, and navigation. Students wishing to stay overnight can stay at Mazama Lodge and must sign up at the first lecture.

Sun, Feb 3, 2008 - Field-Tour 1
Introductory Tour, Mount Hood; time to be announced. Emphasize navigation practice, uphill travel, ski techniques and gear, and basics day topics.

Tues, Feb 5, 2008 - Lecture
Trip planning. Overview of Mazamas Ski Mountaineering climbs planned this season and how to get on them. The class will conclude with the famous “places to ski in the northwest” slide show.

Sun, Feb 10, 2008 - Field-Tour 2
Ski Mountaineering Day Tour; time and location TBA. Navigation in the backcountry, Reinforce avalanche skills and trip planning, lots of skiing.

Tues, Feb 19, 2008 - Lecture
More about trip planning homework discussion.

Sat and/or Sun March 15 and/or 16, 2008 - Field-Tour 3
Ski Mountaineering Tour; time and location TBA. Avalanche awareness practice (evaluation and rescue) and even more skiing.  May include overnight or long/strenuous tour.

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