The certified guides from SWS Mountain Guides take you on this awesome 3-day alpine climbing camp for beginners in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, a spectacular locale where you will learn the basic skills, techniques and confidence needed to indulge in mountain climbing.
Group
Sierra Nevada (California)
3 Days
Jun - Sep
Intermediate
* Learn the skills and techniques needed to mountain climb in Sierra Nevada!
* Increase your confidence in a wide range of basic capabilities
* Ascend the mighty Crystal Crag on day 3!
* Admire the epic and lovely scenery of the surrounding area
Join me on this 3-day alpine climbing camp for beginners, and together we will go through the essential skills and techniques needed to tackle the addictive and enjoyable activity of mountain climbing, as we navigate the sublime region of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, an idyllic setting featuring the perfect conditions for introductory mountain climbing.
The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range that mainly lies in California, stretching 640km North to South and 110km East to West. The areas around the mountain range are often sparsely populated, meaning the surrounding landscape and terrain remains pristine, with few effects from the modern world.
We will meet and depart from Lee Vining, California, where all relevant safety and general information will be run through.
Over the course of the 3 days we will constantly be educating you and teaching you about all the possible skills, techniques and capabilities needed to take on Summer alpine mountain climbing.
The aim will be to start with easy skills, such as the basics of snow travel, and then build your confidence up and until we have a go at ascending the majestic and magnificent Crystal Crag.
During the course there will be ample time to admire and take in the epic scenery and views around us, with the lush green alpine forests, gorgeous rock formations and tranquil lakes all spreading out beneath us.
After the 3 days you should have the confidence to undertake alpine mountain climbing in plenty of different locations and settings, and hopefully will have fallen in love with this peaceful and beautiful part of California.
Learn how to mountain climb in an absolutely spectacular location – book now to experience!
- Guiding fee
- Permit and entrance fees
- Rope
- Harness
- Helmet
Professional guide(s)/instructors, group climbing equipment including: technical rock
climbing equipment, ropes, helmets and permits fees.
Note: course consist of three consecutive day trips, no overnight backcountry equipment is required. Each evening you're free to explore town and natural setting at whatever accommodation you
choose: Forest Service campgrounds, motels, and lodges (reservations required), are located only minutes away from daily meeting points, so choose your own style of sleeping quarters.
Meet each morning and mountaineer all day. Finish each afternoon and head back to accommodation.
More info
Experience Level: Previous hiking and backpacking experience required. No previous mountaineering experience is needed.
Meeting point
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
Beginning to intermediate rock climbing skills are taught. Guests should be able to hike 2-3 miles with a light pack at a moderate speed.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
1-2 months prior to the course departure date.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
We provide helmets, harness, ropes, technical rock climbing, and rock climbing shoes are available for rent.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
None
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
Note: Course consist of three consecutive day trips, no overnight backcountry equipment is
required. Each evening you're free to explore town and natural setting at whatever accommodation you
choose: Forest Service campgrounds, motels, and lodges (reservations required), are located only
minutes away from daily meeting points, so choose your own style of sleeping quarters.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
Weather Credits and Rescheduled Climbs & Courses:
SWS Mountain Guides aka Sierra Wilderness Seminars Inc. reserves the right to reschedule seminars and courses due to severe weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances which make the course or climb unsafe to continue. Weather Credit or Weather Partial Credit will be given for courses or climbs during or within 24 hrs of the course start dates if severe weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances make the course or climb unsafe to continue. Our decision will be at the discretion of the climb leader and the Director(s) of SWS Mountain Guides.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
None
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
Guide to client ratio is 1:3
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
June through September
Can I join a group?
Yes, group dates are available.
4.70
(22)
Mountain Guide
Since 1981, we have been California's leader in guided mountaineering. From the Eastern Sierra to Mt. Shasta, we guide all of California 14ners and internationally.
Languages
English
Certificates
IFMGA | AMGA
Osly
3.00
Overall, the fair evaluation for the SWS Mountain Guides and the guide assigned to me is 3 stars. Reasons: 1. The guide did not seem to remember or respect the fact that I was new to mountaineering and that the name of program is called “introduction to mountaineering...”. For example, the guide set his own time for walking and resting without any concern to my physical ability for that timing. The guide walked ahead many times and didn’t even notice when I fell a few times. I understand the guide is not the insurer of safety or a hand holder, but a complete abrasive approach to the service is not right, especially when it’s a paid service. Perhaps, the guide is not a right choice for introduction tours. 2. There was a miscommunication with timing of the summit day. I thought we would start summiting around 5am the next day; however, I was told less than 15 hours before that we would start hiking at 1am the next day from base camp. We arrived at base camp early afternoon, and I’m wired up, hot, and not prepared to fall asleep between 5pm-12am, thus, I didn’t sleep at all. I attempted the summit hike but around 12k feet the sleep deprivation was killing me and I was catching myself falling asleep and my body trying to lay down while waking. The guide didn’t seem to concerned about this. Lack of empathy. Eventually, I had to insist we turn around because I didn’t want to go beyond 30 hours of no sleep and still have to descend from the summit. 3. The guide did help set up the tent and food. The guide did explain layers of clothes on and off and why. The guide did help instruct how to pack and why. 4. Overall, I feel this guide is best suited for advanced climbers not introduction courses as he seems to be more of a “ill walk ahead of you” not “ill walk with you” type of guide.
Magdalena
5.00
This was an amazing trip and overall super positive experience with SWS Mountain Guides. I had a great guide with lots of mountain experience and many cool stories to share!
5.00
Had an amazing experience climbing Mt. Whitney with Richard & Tim. They were excellent guides and safely got us to the summit and back.
5.00
Neil from SWS was amazing. We climbed the Mountaineering Route up to Mt. Whitney. It was an amazing experience. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I leaned a lot. I would absolutely use these guys again.
5.00
Too bad this review does not allow six stars. SWS is professional, client focused, flexible, and has the clients best interests in mind. I can say the personnel and leadership skills of the SWS guides are among the best. You can't go wrong with SWS.
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