Coleman-Deming Ski Descent

A truly classic ski descent. We will spend day one ski touring up to high camp from the Glacier Creek road. Once camp is established, we'll spend the afternoon doing skills workshops, all to get you ready for a big second day. The next morning, we’ll wake up early and begin ski touring up the Coleman glacier, after which we'll transition to climb mode and ascend the famous Roman Wall, on our way to the true summit. After a couple photos, we'll begin our 1300 meter (4250 feet) ski descent. After our summit ski descent is done, we'll pack up camp and ski another 1100 meter (3500 feet) descent back to Glacier Creek Road.

2 days Experience
Dates: November - June
Price: $900 per person

Difficulty:

Advanced

day 01

8:00

Meet at the Glacier Creek Rd, gear check, permits + waivers, and Leave No Trace briefing

12:00

Arrive at high camp, lunch

13:30

Brief ski tour

14:00

Skills workshop

16:30

Return to camp

17:30

Dinner

day 02

6:00

Breakfast

6:30

Ski tour

10:00

Arrive at Pumice Ridge, snack break

10:30

Begin summit bootpack

12:00

Arrive at the summit, lunch

12:30

Ski descent

13:30

Arrive at high camp

14:00

Final ski descen

15:30

Arrive back at the Glacier Creek Road

what you'll learn:

Overview of and techniques for using an ice axe. Learn the self-arrest, cane, and the different dagger positions.
Overview of and techniques for using skinny glacier cords. Learn about its strength and application, and its compatibility with equipment and materials.
Overview of and techniques for basic crampon use. Learn the French, Austrian, and Hybrid steps.
Roped glacier travel. Learn about rope team spacing, brake knots, and rescue coil lengths.
Crevasse rescue. Learn single strand, drop loop, mechanical advantage systems, roped and unroped rescue applications.

What we provide:

All ropes and isostatic glacier cords
All alpine ice climbing protection
All anchoring equipment such as snow pickets
Descent control devices and backups for our ropes
Progress capturing devices for crevasse rescue training
A triple-action captive-eye carabiner and an ice screw, if you're traveling with us on a glacier
Wag Bags for travel in wilderness areas
Sno-Park and NW Forest Permits for your vehicle

What you need besides your skis and splitboards:

A tested and trusted three-antenna avalanche transceiver
An avalanche probe and aluminum shovel
Climbing skins and ski crampons
A lightweight harness with a belay loop
A 55cm or shorter ice axe
Hybrid steel or steel crampons, classic type
Four-season tent, a winter sleeping bag rated to at least -10c, and sleeping pad
50-60 liter overnight pack, capable of carrying both skis and ice axes securely
A UIAA-rated ski or climbing helmet. Should be lightweight and stowable

What we rent:

Ice axes and technical ice tools
Lightweight harnesses
Classic and technical crampons
Four-season tents

*We can also source almost any other rental equipment needs, just let us know in advance.

Coleman-Deming Ski Descent

Overview

Itinerary