ADVANCED ALPINE CLIMBING PALISADES CAMP

Looking to take your mountaineering & alpine climbing skills to the next level? Learn advanced mountaineering techniques while climbing technical alpine rock & snow routes up 14,000 peaks in in the majestic Palisades of the Sierra Nevada. On this in-depth 6-day Palisades mountaineering course we attempt two of Palisades 14ers via ice and/or rock routes. The options includes North Palisades, Mt. Sill, Thunderbolt Peak & more. Exact routes depend on current conditions.

A comprehensive alpine climbing course for those with some previous mountaineering experience who are looking for in-depth advanced training in all aspects of mountaineering. Skills taught are alpine rock climbing, glacier travel and crevasse rescue, alpine ice climbing, belaying and anchoring techniques and route finding in complicated alpine terrain. After learning the skills, we apply them on some of the spectacular alpine routes on the Palisades crest.

Included is one way porter support to carry most of our gear up to our high camp next to the Palisades Glacier. This eases the long hike into camp and allows for far better acclimating which makes a big difference.

A great course for those looking for world-class instruction in alpine climbing, Let our AMGA certified and trained alpine guides show the way!

 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • Previous rock climbing experience required with the ability to quickly follow outdoor rock climbs up to 5.7 in difficulty..

  • Previous experience using ice axe and crampons

  • Previous off trail hiking & 3rd class scrambling experience required.

  • Previous backpacking experience

  • Excellent physical condition required.

Climbing in the Palisades 14ers is very strenuous…you must train accordingly! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

Recommended prior courses and trips:

DATES 2024

July 10-15
September 11-16

Custom dates for private trips available from July through September

COST:

$2495

INCLUDES

  • Professional guides at a low 1:2 ratio

  • Porter support into high camp on the 1st day of the course

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • Group camping equipment such as tents and cooking equipment. ($30 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • All technical climbing equipment including ice axes and crampons, helmets and harnesses (except footwear)

  • Mountaineering boot rentals available at $10 per day

 

Itinerary Advanced Climbing Palisades Camp

Day 1
We meet in the town of Big Pine, CA. (The exact meeting time and place will be comminated to you in advance). We then drive to the trail head at Glacier Lodge and hike via trail up the N Fork of Big Pine Creek to the our base camp at the Palisades Glacier. Our porters will carry all of group and personal technical gear to basecamp.

Day 2
A full skills and acclimating day. Skills taught today are advanced alpine rock climbing anchors and belaying techniques with some rock climbing practice. There will also be as a review of some of the basic ice axe and crampon techniques as well as snow anchors and all knots.

Day 3
Our first summit objective. Options include Mt. Sill’s Swiss Arete or Mt. Gayley’s the Yellow Brick Road. A full day of climbing alpine rock with also the use of crampons and ice axe and applying the techniques learned the previous day.

Day 4
A full skills seminar on the Palisades Glacier in roped glacier travel, crevasse rescue and advanced snow & ice climbing techniques.

Day 5
A big summit day hopefully involving steep ice couloir climbing. Options include the U Notch to North Palisades or the North Couloir of Thunderbolt Peak, depending on conditions. Other objectives may be considered depending on the conditions of the ice couloirs.

Day 6
Pack up and hike back out to the trailhead arriving in the mid afternoon. No porter support on this day.

itinerary subject to change due to route conditions, weather and group strengths