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About Course | Private Guiding | Schedule & Costs | Denali Prep
(Dates Do not include arrival and departure days in Durango)
- December: 1 - 5; 27 - 31
- January: 15-19, 28 - February 1
- February: 4 - 8, 19 - 23
- March: 4 - 8, 18 - 22
- Cost: $995 per person
- Client to Guide Ratio: 3:1
(Dates Do not include arrival and departure days in Durango)
- December: 3 - 5; 29 - 31
- January: 17 - 19, 30 - February 1
- February: 6 - 8, 21 - 23
- March: 6 - 8; 20 - 22
- Cost: $795 per person
- Client to Guide Ratio: 3:1
Trip Cost Includes: Breakfasts and dinners while on the mountaineering portion of the course, as well as communal camping, cooking and climbing equipment. We can supply airport and hotel transfers, and local transportation during the course free of charge for those who fly to Durango.
Not Included: Hotel costs before, during or after the courses. 3% land use surcharge, $3 Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue card (required), trip cancellation insurance, personal climbing or camping equipment, or gratuities.
Equipment: Download the Winter Mountaineering Course Equipment Checklist
Registration and Cancellation: You will need to fill out our Domestic Registration Form, cancellation policy agreement, and liability waiver, and send it to us with a 50% deposit as early as possible prior to the course date. Balance is due on the first day of the course. Please click on our Registration/Travel link to access the required forms.
Three and Five day Courses: The Three Day course starts on day 3 of the itinerary below.
Day Zero: Arrive in Durango, Colorado. At this time we issue equipment and go over your personal equipment and logistics for the trip. If it is not possible for you to arrive the evening before, we can do this early on day one. Stay in a hotel.
Day One: Introduction to ice climbing. After getting outfitted we proceed to the "school room" area of Cascade Canyon. Here we learn about the tools used in ice climbing, and about judging the quality of the ice on the climb itself. Next we learn the basics of using crampons and ice tools to climb, emphasizing proper body positions and becoming an efficient climber. After lunch we continue refining our techniques and progress toward steeper ice climbs. We concentrate on re-inforcing the technical skills learned throughout the day. We climb routes up to grade WI 3 (water ice). Stay in a hotel.
Day Two: Intermediate ice climbing. Today we climb in the "upper area" of Cascade Canyon. The climbs here are steeper, longer, and more dramatic than those found in the school room area. We begin by rappelling into the canyon, discussing rappelling techniques in icy/snowy conditions. We teach the use of friction knots and how to rappel with a pack. After a review of basic ice climbing technique we continue the progression to include steep ice and pillar climbing. Finally we cover basic ice anchors used for top roping and setting up a rappel. We climb up to grade WI 4 and 5. Stay in a hotel.
Day Three: We drive to the trailhead at the top of Coal Bank Pass, load up our packs with gear and food, put on our snow shoes, and begin the approach to base camp. On the way, we discuss route finding and avalanche safety, focusing on snow condition evaluation and hazardous terrain recognition. Once we get settled into base camp we head out and practice using avalanche beacons. Camp out.
Day Four: After breakfast, we gear up and head to some nearby slopes under Engineer Mountain (12,978 ft.). We begin by examining the snowpack and digging a hasty pit in order to assess the avalanche potential of a particular given slope. After examining the snowpack we work on gaining knowledge of snow climbing techniques, and learn and practice the many different positions in which to use the ice axe as a self belay and self arrest tool. We then learn and practice self arrest techniques. We then move into learning how to incorporate the rope for additional safety. We practice snow anchors, snow belays and how to safely travel as a rope team. Camp out.
Day Five: Today we get up early and attempt the Northeast Ridge of Engineer Mountain (12,978 ft.). This is a spectacular alpine climb with exposed ridges and some moderately steep snow and rock climbing. We employ many of the skills we practiced on day two. The climb moves along a narrow ridge with a few steep sections. We use rope and snow protection on the ascent. The round trip from camp takes five to six hours. After lunch and a rest we pack up and drive back to Durango where we arrive by late afternnon or early evening. Stay in hotel
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