Alpine Endeavors

MOUNTAINEERING COURSES

Wintertime above tree line is no place for the inexperienced, unequipped, or unprepared. Here we will get you ready for traveling in the cold, snowy, windy, but beautiful and rewarding environment. Whether you’re an avid hiker wanting to reach the summits in the winter, or a competent climber looking for a greater adventure, the skills learned here will open the doors to new adventures. We offer instruction for all climbing abilities. We build our day(s) around your experience and aspirations. We believe everybody is unique and learns differently. Therefore, we always try to tailor the day(s) around your needs. We’ll ask you what your previous experience is and what you hope to gain from your day with us and take it from there.

We offer the courses below everyday from November through April unless otherwise noted. The rates are all the same unless otherwise noted, and we ask for at least a week notice for reservations. Please refer to our Rates and Reservations section for more information.

We will supply you with the all the necessary technical climbing equipment needed, please check out the Equipment page for what is actually supplied and what you’ll be required to bring.

For directions please refer to the Directions page. Keep in mind that due to the variety of places we climb, we will meet in many different places and at different times.

If you’re planning a few days with us, arrangements for accommodations can be made. Please refer to out the Places to stay page under Logistics, or e-mail me for more info. Below are some examples of the courses offered. We can very easily “custom build” a course to your specific needs. Please let us me know if there is something you’re looking for that isn’t listed below.

Essential techniques for winter travel
This is a great chance for the hikers and backpackers of the spring, summer, and fall to learn how to properly stay warm and travel in the winter environment. We’ll cover:
The layering system - what to wear and how to dress properly for winter travel, equipment selection an usage, how to pack, snowshoes usage, tips for staying warm, etc.

Snowshoeing
Experience a great new way to enjoy the winter. Help pass those cold winter months quickly with a new sport. Snowshoes allow you the ability to travel easily across the snow and are quite fun to use. Once you try it you’ll love it. Offered daily throughout the winter season in the Catskills and upon request in the Adirondacks, Green Mountains and White Mountains.

Winter travel and camping
This is an extended version of the Essential techniques for winter travel involving a multi-day trip. After covering the essentials we’ll add to what we learned on a 2, 3 or 4-day trip. During this time we’ll cover: using a sled to carry gear, campsite selection and set-up, cooking, topography hazards, navigation, and hopefully summit some peaks (weather permitting).

Basic Mountaineering
During this day we’ll show you the basics of mountaineering to allow you access the summits of many of the non-glaciated peaks of your choice. These skills also allow you safe travel in the mountains during the winter. We’ll cover:

Multi-day Mountaineering
During these 2, 3, pr 4+ days we’ll show you the basics of mountaineering so you can safely travel up non-glaciated peaks. These skills are a pre-requisite for the glacier skills day. Combining these two courses will allow you the knowledge of safely traveling on glaciated peaks all over the world. We’ll cover; equipment and its proper use, traveling on snow slopes, self arresting, French technique ice travel, camping techniques for the winter, and some ice climbing.

Glacier Skills
Crevasse rescues skills are essential for safe travel on a glacier. Although you hope to never have to use these skills, you better know how to perform them confidently and efficiently incase the situation ever arises. What will you do if you or your partners fall into a crevasse? We’ll cover tying friction hitches, ascending a rope with prussiks and ascenders, tying off your partners, and building hauling systems.

Winter Summits
Interested in climbing a peak in the winter? There’s more solitude in the winter, not to mention the scenery is incredible. We’ll take the packs, poles, and snowshoes and head out for the day up one of the many mountains in the North East.

Presidential Traverse NH
Join us on a winter traverse of the Presidential Range, and for some ice climbing as well.
We will start this trip out by getting everybody familiar with the use of ice tools, crampons, and the cold weather. The first day we will spend ice climbing on some routes in Crawford Notch, and that evening we’ll finish packing our packs and get ready for the traverse the next day.
Mt Washington (6,288’) and the Presidential Range are home to the world’s worst weather. A traverse of the presidential range is considered to be an extremely challenging and difficult task. It is often used as a warm up for climbers heading to the Himalayas or some of the world’s other coldest and highest mountains. On this trip, we will do a four-day traverse of the longest section of the Appalachian Trail that is above timberline. The weather conditions will vary greatly, but be prepared for temperatures well below zero, winds at over 40 mph, and zero visibility.
On this trip, you will not only experience a new environment, you will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and improve on existing skills such as: how to camp safely in sub-zero temperatures, navigate in poor visibility using map compass, altimeter and GPS, and use of basic mountaineering tools such as ice axes and crampons.

Great Range Traverse NY
A 3 to 5-day traverse of the Great Range in the Adirondack High Peaks using skis and/or snowshoes. Along this trip we will not only show you new winter camping skills while camping out in a tent or lean-to, but will teach you how to build and sleep in a snow shelter. Other new skills such as navigation using map compass, altimeter and GPS and use of basic mountaineering tools such as ice axes and crampons will also be introduced.

Catskill Traverse NY
A 2, 3, or 4-day traverse of some of the Catskill peaks using skis and/or snowshoes. Along this trip we will not only show you new winter camping skills while camping out in a tent or lean-to, but will teach you how to build and sleep in a snow shelter. Other new skills such as navigation using map compass, altimeter and GPS will also be discussed.

Mountaineering Trips
Join us on a 12, 14, 16, or 18-day trip to various areas in South America such as:
Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. During these trips we’ll take in the culture, see the sights, and climb on glaciated peaks up to 20,000 feet. Each trip has a lot of variables, so please call or write for more information on content, rates, equipment, etc.

Destinations:
We offer our services for mountaineering in the following areas:
• Catskill Mountains, NY
• Adirondack Park, NY
• Mt Washington and the Presidential Range, NH
• Mt Katahdin, Baxter State Park, ME
• Rocky Mountain National Park (thru Colorado Mtn School), CO
• North Cascades National Park, WA.