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Education & Classes
Ski Mountaineering
Important Dates for 2014 Mazamas Ski Mountaineering Class
- October 14, 2013 - Start taking Applications
- December 30, 2013 - Application Deadline
- January 6, 2014 - First Lecture
General Information
The Mazamas Ski Mountaineering Program is designed to teach you 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 intermediate off piste ski and snowboard skills or better. It is expected that students will be able to ski in challenging conditions that involve ice, deep powder and wind crusted slabs. The course is open to randonee (alpine touring) and telemark skiers as well as snowboarders and is taught by experienced Mazamas volunteers.
The book for the class will be provided by the Mazamas:
“Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series)” by Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler
Additional highly recommended reading:
“Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain” by Bruce Tremper
“Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book, Revised and Even Better!: Traveling & Camping Skills for a Winter Environment” (Falcon Guides) by Allen O’Bannon and Mike Clelland
These books are available through Amazon.com.
We hope that you can join us in this program!
Cost and Registration
Mazamas Members, $275; Non-Members, $325. Includes book for class - “Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series)” by Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler and use of an avalanche safety beacon for the season.
The cancellation fee is $20 until December 20 and $50 from December 21 until January 5. After January 5, there will be NO refunds. Students are responsible for ski rentals, skins, and other mountaineering gear (beacons and shovels will be provided if needed). Age: Must be 18 years or older by the day of the first lecture.
Program capacity is limited to 30 students, so apply early to ensure a spot. To give you an idea, last year we had 50 applicants. Do not wait till the last minute to apply.
All students must attend the first introductory lecture on Monday, January 6, 2014 to obtain information about clothing, equipment and course content. All lectures, starting promptly at 7 PM, are at the Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC) at 527 SE 43rd Avenue (at Stark), Portland, OR.
Questions? Please contact the lead coordinator via email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Ski Mountaineering Trips
There are usually 8-10 ski mountaineering trips planned each year by the Mazamas Climbing Committee, from April - July. 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 website.
General Equipment List
- Clothing, food, water, the ten essentials, etc. appropriate for an all day ski mountaineering tour.
- METAL-EDGED mountaineering skis, preferably single-cambered, with sturdy bindings that fit your boots OR split snowboard and skins for uphill travel.
- Stiff telemark, randonee/alpine touring boots, or snowboard boots.
- Poles, preferably adjustable.
- 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 (skins without glue).
- Pack capable of carrying your skis or board.
- Large ensolite pad or insulated pad suitable for winter conditions.
- Ice axe (if you have one).
- Shovel and beacon (if you have them, or we can supply them if you do not own them).
- Compass with adjustable declination; altimeter if you have one. We recommend getting a compass with adjustable declination, inclinometer (measure slope angle), and a mirror.
Lecture and Field Session Schedule
Lectures, except for the Gear Lecture, will be held at the Mazama Mountaineering Center, 527 SE 43rd Avenue (at Stark), Portland, OR, at 7 PM.
The Gear Lecture will be presented at the Mountain Shop, 1510 NE 37th Avenue, Portland, OR, from 7 to 9 PM.
Monday, January 6, 2014 - Lecture
Introduction to classes and course objectives, gear basics, clothing, and NW weather lecture.
mountain_weather_lecture.pdf
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 - Lecture
Gear. Come learn about the newest gear and utilities at The Mountain Shop (1510 NE 37th Avenue, Portland, OR). Be there by 7 PM.
Saturday, January 11, 2014 - Field
Basic field session. Mt. Hood area, location TBD, 8:00 AM. Outdoor experience with gear discussion, uphill travel, snow shelters, terrain assessment.
Monday, January 13, 2014 - Lecture
Fitness and nutrition for ski mountaineering.
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Lecture and Field
Avalanche lecture and beacon practice. 8 AM - 4:30 PM, at the Mazama Mountaineering Center. The 8 AM to noon lecture covers avalanche awareness and avoidance; terrain, snowpack, and weather evaluation; and human factors. From noon to 1 PM, we will be signing out beacons and signing up in small groups and eating lunch. From 1 - 2 PM, we will have a lecture on beacon use and rescue. From 1 to 4:30 PM, we will be practicing with beacons in our small groups at Laurelwood Park. Bring a sack lunch, warm clothes and rain jackets, and a beacon with batteries (if you own one) OR 3 AAA alkaline batteries (no lithium batteries) if you do not own your own beacon.
beacon_lecture.pdf
Sunday, January 26, 2014 - Field
Avalanche field session. Mt Hood area, exact location TBA in the Saturday avalanche lecture, 8 AM.
Skiing in potential avalanche terrain, techniques for evaluating snow pack, safe route finding, beacon practice in the snow, and mock rescue practices. Avalanche beacons and shovels provided.
Monday, January 27, 2014 Lecture
Snow camping, survival skills, 10 essentials, emergency shelters, trip dilemmas, epic accounts of things gone wrong off-piste, and what to do when you meet the Buddha on the path.
Saturday, February 1, 2014 - Field - Tour 1
Ski Mountaineering Tour 1 (introductory tour). Meet at tour location 8 AM, Location TBD. Emphasize navigation practice, uphill travel, ski techniques and gear, and basics day topics.
Monday, February 3, 2014 - Lecture
Navigation. Please read and print the lecture notes below prior to class. Please have a compass with adjustable declination for the field session. See this link for recommended compasses.
2013-navigation-handouts.pdf
Saturday, February 8, 2014 - Field
Mt. Tabor navigation course. Start time is 9:00am sharp, at the location marked “1"on the Mt. Tabor map. This should 2-3 hours to complete. After the navigation exercise course, we will likely get snacks and libations together nearby.
Mt. Tabor map and course notes, required for the exercise
Monday, February 10, 2014 - Lecture
Trip planning and transitions. Learn how to plan a Ski Mountaineering trip and plan for Tour 2.
Saturday, February 22, 2014 - Field - Tour 2
Ski Mountaineering Tour 2. Meet at tour location at 8 AM, location TBD. Navigation in the backcountry, reinforce avalanche skills and trip planning, lots of skiing. Optional overnight tour generally available.
Monday, February 24, 2014 - Lecture
Trip planning for tour 3.
Saturday/Sunday, March 1 or March 1 and 2, 2014 - Field - Tour 3
Ski Mountaineering Tour 3. Time and location TBD. Avalanche awareness practice (evaluation and rescue) and even more skiing. Usually includes overnight or long/strenuous tour options.
Monday, March 3, 2014 - Lecture
Upcoming trips and places to ski. An overview of Mazamas Ski Mountaineering climbs planned this season and how to get on them, and the class will conclude with the famous “Places to ski in the Northwest” slideshow. Beacon and equipment return and class surveys. End of class celebration!
More Questions . . .
If you have any other class related questions, please feel free to contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
For more a current schedule of events, refer to the Ski Mountaineering Program webpage on the Mazamas.org website, as well as the Mazamas Events Calendar online.
Information for Current Students and Assistants
Mazamas Ski Mountaineering Google Site
USDA Special Use Permit Information and Non-Discrimination Statement
Mazamas Education Programs operate under a special use permit with the Mt. Hood National Forest.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Mazamas is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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