Dates 2012:
OPEN: all 6 spaces available
CONFIRMED: Confirmed departure # Spaces available

July 6-8 - Open
July 27-29 - Open
August 11-13 - Open
August 17-19 - Open
September 1-3 - Open
September 7-9 - Open
September 21-23 - Open
October 5-7 - Open

Duration: 3 days

Departure: Tioga Pass, California

Best Airport: Mammoth Lakes, CA

Location: Sierra Nevada, Tioga Pass, Ellery Bowl & Mt. Dana.

Experience Level: Previous hiking and backpacking experience needed. Basic mountaineering experience recommend but not required.

Cost: $550.00

Group Size: Limited to 6 clients

Guide to client ratio: 1:3

Additional Dates: Available with 3 or more - regular prices or by private arrangement, custom rates apply.


Basic Alpine Course Outline

Basic Alpine Equipment List

Basic Alpine Mountaineering Course
Tioga Pass & Mt. Dana

Learn the basics of mountain climbing in the stunning alpine environment of the Eastern Sierra. This three-day course is a “skills based” training which begins with the basics of snow travel and culminates with an ascent of the Dana Coulior and the summit of Mt. Dana. Learn how to use a variety of tools and techniques for climbing rock and snow as well combining these skills for mixed alpine routes. A great introduction to summer alpine mountaineering. Come join us for some funlearn new skills and have a great adventure
in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
This course consists of three consecutive day trips, no need to carry heavy packs. Forest Service campgrounds are located only minutes away from our daily meeting locations. Motels and Lodges are also available as well, full information on campsites and motels will be send upon receipt of your reservation.

Summit of Mt. Dana, Eastern Sierra Nevada, California

"Best three days I have ever spent in the Mountains, SWS Guide John was terrific, so up beat, great times"
Robert- Basic Alpine Course 2010

"Learned a ton, safety was always first, instruction top shelf"
Geoff - Basic Alpine Course 2011

"Thank you and certainly your guides John and Tim for the excellent beginning Alpine Mountaineering Course..... I know the conditions
(new snow) were not typical. The guides did wonderful job keeping everyone safe"
Doug - Happy Repeat SWS Customer /Oct 2011

Dates 2012:
OPEN: all 4 spaces available
CONFIRMED: Confirmed departure # Spaces available

August: 24-26-OPEN
September: 14-16-OPEN
September: 28-30 -OPEN
October: 5-7-OPEN

Duration: 3 days

Departure: Tioga Pass,
California

Best Airport: Mammoth Lakes, Ca.

Location: Sierra Nevada, Tioga Pass, Ellery Bowl & North Peak

Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced previous basic mountaineering experience needed. Or our basic mountaineering course

Cost: $625.00

Group Size: Limited to 4 clients

Guide to client ratio: 1:2

Additional Dates: Available with 3 or more - regular prices or by private arrangement, custom rates apply.

Advanced Alpine Course Outline

Advanced Alpine Equipment List

This is a continuation of our Basic Alpine Mountaineering featuring a quick review of basic mountaineering techniques before moving on to advanced instruction on protection placement, route finding, alpine rock climbing, ice/snow climbing, crampon use, snow & ice hardware, and multi-pitch climbing. We will then attempt the North Peak Couloirs which ascends alpine ice up to 65 degrees or a Crystal Crag Rock Route for the culmination of this course. For the persons with previous climbing experience (rock or snow) or who has taken a Basic Alpine Course or Mountaineering Camp. This course consists of three consecutive day trips, no need to carry heavy packs. Forest Service campgrounds are located only a few miles away from our daily meeting locations. Motels and Lodges are also available as well, full information on campsites and motels will be send upon request. Come join us for some summer climbing fun in the Sierra!

North Peak Couloir	Crystal Crag, Mammoth Lakes, CA

"You guys have a great guiding service and I will continue to use SWS for as long as I can still do it! "
Terri - Advanced Alpine Course 2010