Intro to Mountaineering in Tahoe
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Rest Step: the Foundation of Mountaineering
- Crampons Types and pros and cons of each How to put them on Techniques: flat footing, duck step, pied a troisieme, front pointing, plunge stepping
- Ice Axes Types of axes and pros and cons of each Anatomy of the axe and how to hold it
- Ice Axe Arrest: Rope Team Arrest (to stop a partner who has fallen into a crevasse in glaciated terrain) Self Arrest (to stop yourself from falling)
- Rope Travel For glaciated terrain For steep technical terrain with a guide
- Transitions - Hiking to Climbing Crampons
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - No mountaineering experience is required!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Tahoe National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Group Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Guide Gratuities
Intro to Mountaineering Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (ice ax, crampon, harness) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
Know Before you go
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 7:30 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:00 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice ski mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Rest Step: the Foundation of Mountaineering
- Crampons Types and pros and cons of each How to put them on Techniques: flat footing, duck step, pied a troisieme, front pointing, plunge stepping
- Ice Axes Types of axes and pros and cons of each Anatomy of the axe and how to hold it
- Ice Axe Arrest: Rope Team Arrest (to stop a partner who has fallen into a crevasse in glaciated terrain) Self Arrest (to stop yourself from falling)
- Rope Travel For glaciated terrain For steep technical terrain with a guide
- Transitions - Hiking to Climbing Crampons
This program requires at least 3 participants to run.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - No mountaineering experience is required!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Tahoe National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Group Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Guide Gratuities
Intro to Mountaineering Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (ice ax, crampon, harness) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsMount Shasta Summit!
Had a fantastic experience summiting Mount Shasta with my guide, Sean! He was easy to get along with, very knowledgable, and had a calm, encouraging demeanor. The climb itself was a real challenge, but worth it. The whole experience was positive and getting to the top felt like a genuine accomplishment that will give me the confidence to start taking on more overnight camping and hiking alone.
Laura L.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsGreat value
I did the crevasse rescue course and it went great, I learned a lot and feel much more comfortable. I especially appreciated how it was a small group - 3 students and 1 guide. Our guide Jan was great - he was very knowledgeable but also kept things laid back and wanted us to enjoy the day. Highly recommend!
Molly D.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsSet me up with a perfect custom skills program - highly recommend!
I'd been trying to setup a way to learn some snow skills basics for awhile, and most companies were just not very responsive for what I wanted, and I actually couldn't make it happen. Then I emailed Blackbird - and not only was it great to finally get some conversation going by email/phone, they were able to set me up with the type of program I was looking for. I was setup with Jon as my guide and felt like I was in very capable hands the entire time - covering all the topics relevant for my goals. While I'm comfortable enough camping and hiking in the wilderness, I had zero experience with crampons, ice axes, safety aspects etc, along with navigating more challenging and steep terrain. We started off covering some initial information that went well enough to tackle a couple objectives - which were far more challenging than I'd originally thought possible for myself. But he really nailed it, and picked a plan which let me push what I could do while still feeling comfortable. Plus I appreciated his patience, encouragement and positivity as I sorted out my practice of these new skills. Overall highly recommended!
Tobin S. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsIncredibly knowledgeable guides!
Incredibly knowledgeable guides. It was my first time on a serious mountaineering trip, and our guide Jason was a great resource for our attempt at the Shasta summit. Despite insanely cold and snowy weather for May we had a great time!
Thomas M.Verified Buyer
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