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About MAS Mountaineering

california mountaineering

 

snow camping About MAS Mountaineering Programs

MAS places an emphasis on mountaineering skill building and preservation of the alpine environment. Traveling comfortably and efficiently in the mountains is a skill learned through experience and training. Knowing your goals and limits can lead to freedom in "wild places". It is for this reason that MAS enjoys sharing and teaching the skills of becoming a mountaineer.

Northern California is an excellent region to learn, train and explore your mountaineering dreams. MAS operates programs in Bear Valley, Mt. Lassen, and the Sawtooth Range west of Bridgeport on the Eastern side of the Sierras. Each of these areas offers unique experiences and challenges.

MAS prides itself in working with some of the best mountaineering instructors and guides in the business. MAS staff are hired on technical and personal skills and have proven themselves as professional educators, mentors and leaders. MAS understands that your time and money are valuable and therefore strive to provide the best customer service and top-quality experiences whether the program is held 10 minutes or 10 miles from your car. MAS routinely receives strong accolades for instructor and course quality. We think you will notice the difference.

 

ice axe Crampon & Ice Axe Workshop* top

Learn how to climb and descend steep snow slopes efficiently. A variety of techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. Learn how prevent a slip from becoming a fall.  This course provides the basics for all mountaineers including PCT hikers.

Skills Covered:

  • Crampon & Ice Axe Skills
  • Rest step
  • Self Belay & Self Arrest
  • Glissading
mountaineering
Price: $125
Length: 1 day: (8 AM - 4 PM)
Location: Bear Valley, CA
Meeting Place: MAS Office: Bear Valley Village PDF
Prerequisites:

• good physical condition; ability to hike up to 4 miles with a 20 pound backpack
• must arrive with boots, crampons, and ice axe

Dates:

February 4, 2012
March 2, 2012
April 7, 2012
May 26,2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

* - this material is also covered in both the Bear Valley Mountaineering Seminar and the Mt. Lassen Mountaineering Camp.

 

snow camping Rope Team & Snow Anchor Workshop* top

Expand your mountaineering skills to include techniques and equipment appropriate for steeper snow slopes and climbing as a team. Learn how to use a climbing rope, including knots and belays. Then incorporate the use of snow anchors (e.g. ice axe, pickets and bollards) to manage risks on exposed slopes.

Skills Covered:

  • Basic Knots & Rope Handling
  • Rope Team Commands
  • Snow Anchors
  • Belay & Rappel Techniques
mountaineering
Price: $125
Length: 1 day (8 AM - 4 PM)
Location: Bear Valley, CA
Meeting Place: MAS Office: Bear Valley Village PDF
Prerequisites: • good physical condition; ability to hike up to 4 miles with a 20 pound backpack
• "Crampon & Ice Axe Workshop" or equivalent
Skill Level: beginner
Fitness Level: fitness
Dates:

February 5, 2012
March 3 , 2012
April 8, 2012
May 27, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

* - this material is also covered in both the Bear Valley Mountaineering Seminar and the Mt. Lassen Mountaineering Camp.

 

snow camping Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshop top

On a glacier it is important to adjust your traveling techniques and be prepared for the possibility of crossing a hidden crevasse. All members of a group must become active participants to manage the risks. This course covers the equipment and special techniques (such as crevasse rescue) required of glacier travel.

Skills Covered:

  • Glacier Travel Rope Team Preg-rig
  • Rescue Anchor Systems
  • Rope Ascension
  • Hauling & Mechanical Advantage Systems
Glacier Travel
Price: $125
Length: 1 day (8 AM - 4 PM)
Location: Bear Valley, CA
Meeting Place: MAS Office: Bear Valley Village PDF
Skill Level: intermediate
Fitness Level: fitness
Prerequisites: • good physical condition
• "Crampon / Ice Axe", & "Rope Team & Snow Anchor" Workshops or equivalent.
Dates:

March 4, 2012
April 9, 2012
May 28, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

 

 

ice axe Bear Valley Snow Camping Seminar top

Learn skills to make snow camping warm, comfortable and dry. A snowbound base camp will be established using 4 season tents, then additional shelters will be built such as trenches and snow caves. Participants can choose which shelter to use for the night. In addition, time will be spent touring and enjoying the beauty of the Mokelumne Wilderness.

Skills Covered:

  • Trip preparation & packing
  • Site selection & shelters
  • Avalanche Awareness
  • Backcountry cuisine
snow camping
More Course Info: PDF
Prices: $325
Length: 2 days
Location: Bear Valley, CA
Meeting Place: 9 AM @ MAS Office: Bear Valley Village (PDF)
Prerequisites: • good physical condition; ability to hike up to 4 miles with a 30 pound backpack
• overnight backpacking experience recommended
Skill Level: beginning
Fitness Level: fitness
Dates:

February 18-19, 2012
March 10-11, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

 

ice axeBear Valley Mountaineering Seminar top

This program combines 2 workshops (Crampon/Ice Axe, Rope Team/Snow Anchor) into a weekend of intense mountaineering skill development.  This course serves as a thorough introduction to basic mountaineering skills and is often used as a training or refresher course for larger mountaineering goals such as Mt. Shasta and Mt. Rainier. For those seeking additional training on glacier travel a third day is offered immediately following this program. 

Skills Covered:

  • Crampon & Ice Axe Skills
  • Self Belay, Self Arrest & Glissading
  • Basic Knots, Rope Handling & Commands
  • Snow Anchors, Belay & Rappel Techniques
Mountaineering Seminar
Prices: $245
Length: 2 days (8 AM - 4 PM)
Location: Bear Valley, CA
More course info: PDF
Directions to Bear Valley: PDF
Prerequisites: • good physical condition
• ability to hike up to 4 miles with a 20 pound backpack
Skill Level: beginning
Fitness Level: fitness
Dates:

February 4-5, 2012
March 2-3, 2012
April 7-8, 2012
May 26-27, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

 

 

Mt. Lassen Introduction to MountaineeringMt. Lassen Mountaineering Camp top

Come join MAS guides during this 2-day/1-night introductory mountaineering camp on the flanks of Mt. Lassen. Mountaineering topics such as crampon, ice axe and rope team skills will be practiced before making an ascent of Mt. Lassen. Brush up on your snow camping skills, including backcountry cuisine. MAS guides receive many compliments for their meal preparation.

Skills Covered:

  • Crampon, Ice Axe, Rope Team Skills
  • Snow camping Skills
Mt. Lassen
More Course Info: PDF
Price: $350
Length: 2 days & 1 nights (includes 1 backcountry dinner & breakfast)
Location: Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Participant/Guide Ratio: 4:1
Meeting Time: 8 AM
Meeting Place: The Old Ski Chalet / Southwest Campground parking area in Mt.. Lassen National Park at the winter terminus of Highway 89. (more info.)
Prerequisites: • very good physical condition - ability to hike 6 miles comfortably with a 40 pound backpack
• overnight backpacking experience
Skill Level: advanced
Fitness Level: fit
Dates:

April 21-22, 2012
May 19-20, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

* - if fewer than 3 people enroll either a reschedule, discounted private, or refund is offered

 

 

Mountaineering Camp: Matterhorn Peak Matterhorn Peak Mountaineering Camp top

Join MAS on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Range and climb 1 of the "50 classics" via the East Couloir of Matterhorn Peak (12,279 feet).  This 2 day mountaineering camp is a demanding program complete with scenic trail hiking, cross-country travel, including a glacier crossing and steep snow & ice climbing. 

Skills Covered:

  • Review Crampon, Ice Axe, Rope Team Skills
  • Belay & Snow Anchors on steep snow/ice
  • Rock climbing techniques on 4th class terrain
Matterhorn Peak
More Course Info: PDF
Price: $350 (includes 1 backcountry dinner & 1 breakfast)
Length: 2 days & 1 night
Participant/Guide Ratio: 4:1*
Meeting Time & Place: 9 AM outside the cafe at Annetts Mono Village at Twin Lakes
Prerequisites:

• very good physical condition - ability to hike 8 miles with a 40 pound pack
• overnight backpacking experience
Crampon / Ice Axe Workshop or equivalent
Rope Team / Snow Anchor Workshop recommended

Skill Level: intermediate
Fitness Level: fitness
2012 Dates:

April 28-29, 2012
June 2-3, 2012

Registration: avalanche course ONLINE REGISTRATION or call - (209) 753-6556

* - if fewer than 3 people enroll either a reschedule, discounted private, or refund is offered

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