Join the certified guides from SWS Mountain Guides as they take you on this 5-day mountaineering course for beginners in the Palisades, California, a spectacular section of the Sierra Nevada mountains where you will receive comprehensive training on the skills and techniques needed to undertake alpine mountaineering.
TRIP TYPE
Group
MOUNTAIN RANGES
Sierra Nevada (California)
DURATION
5 Days
OFFER PERIOD
Aug, Sep
FITNESS LEVEL
Occasional
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner
PAYMENT METHODS
Credit Card, Wire Transfer and more!
I will guide you on this exciting, incredible and memorable mountaineering course for beginners in the magnificent Palisades, California, where over the course of 5 days you will learn the basic skills and techniques needed to undertake alpine mountaineering, before putting these in to practice in the superb surroundings of some of the finest countryside and mountainous terrain that California has to offer.
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. The Palisades are a group of particularly rugged peaks in the central part of the Sierra Nevada.
We will meet in Big Pine, California, where all relevant safety gear and information will be dispensed.
Over the subsequent 5 days we will cover almost every fundamental skill and technique needed to confidently alpine mountaineer on rock, ice and snow, as we go over route planning, navigation, route finding, hazards evaluation, medicine, rock climbing, belaying, rappelling, crampon technique and snow anchors.
Towards the end of the trip you will have the opportunity to put all these skills in to practice, as we ascend a 13,000 or 14,000-foot peak via a 3rd of 4th class route.
There will be plenty of time to take in and admire the sublime landscape, scenery and terrain around us, with rocky and snowy mountains leading down to the tranquil and peaceful alpine lakes and forests.
After 5 days you will hopefully be fully confident in tackling an alpine mountain ascent and in having the desire to take these newfound skills around the world.
This is one of the most spectacular ways possible to learn about alpine mountaineering – book now!
- Guiding fee
- Permit and entrance fees
Price is per person in a group.
Secure your spot with just 25% payment
48-hour free cancellation with 30-day advance booking
Meet in Big Pine, California, Mountaineer for 5 days, Finish.
More info
Experience Level: Previous Backpacking and Hiking experience required, No previous mountaineering experience is required but helpful.
Meeting point
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
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!
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.
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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