Splitboard Mountaineering Clinic - Cascadia Splitfest 2024

overview

This course is a perfect opportunity to introduce the skills needed to progress your splitboarding to the largest, most complex big mountains in the PNW and around the world. Your AMGA Assistant Split board guide will introduce equipment used in splitboard mountaineering, as well as skills useful when riding steep and/or glaciated mountains.

Details

Location: Snoqualmie Pass Backcountry, WA
Ratio: 5:1 student to instructor
Length: 5-7 Hour Field Session
Cost: $150.00 per person
Dates: April 5, 2024 (9:00AM)

Is the clinic you are looking for full? Join our waitlist and we will contact you if a space opens up.

Topics covered

  • Equipment choice for splitboard mountaineering (hard boot setups, soft boot binding and boot selection to maximize for uphill efficiency, board crampon technique, etc.) + additional equipment useful in splitboard mountaineering (e.g. boot crampons, ice axes, harness, ropes, crevasse rescue equipment, etc.)

  • Avalanche beacon safety check

  • Techniques to manage technical approaches (e.g. rope work to manage exposed ridge climbs, technical climbing, etc.)

  • Techniques to manage technical descents (e.g. rappel anchor assessment, rappelling, lowering and belayed skiing to access lines)

  • Discussion on various ways to move in glaciated terrain

  • Discussion of crevasse rescue in a splitboard mountaineering context

Itinerary

8:45 AM: Meet at the Mountain Bureau designated location sent in the welcome email for the clinic.

9:00 AM: Guide orientation of avalanche rescue + equipment discussion.

9:45 AM: Guide conducts trailhead avalanche safety check with group and group departs trailhead

9:45 AM-2:00 pm: Group is out in the field in the Alpental backcountry area practicing skills pertaining to topics covered.

3:00 PM: Arrive back at Split fest base finished with tour, enlightened by skills learnt and ready to utilize skills learned.

Excludes

Transportation to Snoqualmie Pass
Lunches and snacks
Personal clothing appropriate for conditions
Avalanche Equipment (Transceiver, Probe, and Shovel)
Touring Equipment (Splitboard, Boots, Skins, Poles)
Technical Climbing Equipment (e.g. harnesses, carabiners, ice axe, etc)

Includes

AMGA Assistant Splitboard Guide


6 Hours of Instruction from a Professional Splitboarder

PREREQUISITE EXPERIENCE OR SKILLS

Participants should have taken an “Intro to Backcountry Splitboarding” program or something equivalent and/or an AIARE 1 course. Participants should feel confident riding “double black diamond” terrain in a variety of on and off-piste snow conditions. Participants should be in fit uphill condition, being able to move uphill approx. 800’/hr or more with a moderate pack weight.

Minimum Age

Students 16-17 years old, with consent from a parent or guardian and prior approval by The Mountain Bureau (please call or email prior to enrolling)

All programs are subject to the Mountain Bureau LLC Terms & Conditions

Photo Zack Wentz

Justin Rotherham