Modern Watson Traverse

A contemporary approach to a classic traverse. Day one establishes a high camp from Glacier Creek road with afternoon skills workshops covering crevasse rescue and rope systems. Day two involves the Coleman Glacier ascent, Roman Wall climb to the true summit, then a descent via the Park and Rainbow Glaciers. The route continues with an ascent of the Mazama Glacier back toward high camp. This demanding traverse requires excellent fitness and advanced skiing experience.

3 days Experience
Dates: March - May
Price: $1100 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

Begin ski tour

9:30

Arrive at Pumice Ridge, snack break

10:00

Summit bootpack

11:30

Arrive at the summit, lunch

12:00

Begin ski descent on the Park Glacier

13:30

Ski tour up the Mazama Glacier

15:00

Arrive at Wolverine Pass

16:00

Arrive back at high camp

17:00

Dinner

day 03

7:00

Breakfast

7:30

Brief ski tour

9:30

Ski descent

10:30

Arrive back at high camp

11:00

Lunch

12:00

Final ski descent

13:00

Arrive back at the Glacier Creek Road

what you'll learn:

Roped glacier travel. Learn about rope team spacing, brake knots, and rescue coil lengths.
Overview of and techniques for using isostatic glacier cord. Learn about its strength and application, and its compatibility with equipment and materials.
Overview of and techniques for using an ice axe. Learn the self arrest, cane, and the different dagger positions.
Overview of and techniques for basic crampon use. Learn the French, Austrian, and Hybrid steps.
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
Compact 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.

Modern Watson Traverse

Overview

Itinerary

Skills

Gear

day 01

day 02

day 03

what you'll learn:

What we provide:

What you need besides your skis and splitboards:

What we rent: