Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Crampons and Ice axe instruction?

Does anyone know of a place in SoCal to get winter/snow hiking instruction. I don't plan on a lot of snow hiking, but would like some basic instruction in using crampons and ice axes.

Doug Nidever out of June Lake has Intro Ice Axe courses planned for May and June of this year. I have not taken any classes from him, but he has gotten very good feedback on this board in the past. His website is:

http://www.themountainguide.com

Good luck.

CT

check Mt Baldy they might have something or check with REI I seem to remember them having some classes on snow safety

Catseye,

If you locate a source for these classes from a source other than this discussion thread, can you post it here? I'm sure others would like to know as well.

I don't know of any in SoCal. I've met Doug Nidever climbing on WHitney and he was very good. It would be worth a trip up to June Mountain where he is based to train with him. ANother idea is to go up to Mt Rainier and take the RMI course.

Try Sierra Mountain Center. They are located in Bishop and offer a wide variety of instruction and trips. Go to www.sierramountaincenter.com for info.Good folks and local.

There was an article on Nidever in Monday's San Diego Union Tribune. The link, hopefully accessible, is:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/outdoors/20050117-9999-1s17snow.html