Experience

Thunder and Lightning ski tour

Thunder and Lighting Ski Tour Experience
Thunder and Lighting Ski Tour Experience
Thunder and Lighting Ski Tour Experience
Thunder and Lighting Ski Tour Experience
Thunder and Lighting Ski Tour Experience

Overview

Itinerary

Skills

Gear

An advanced single-day objective on Koma Kulshan. Starting early from Glacier Creek road, we’ll tour to the Thunder Glacier Headwall at 2,600 meters (8,500 feet). From the transition point, an exciting descent weaves through a maze of seracs on the lower Thunder Glacier, before ascending the “Lightning Rod” for expansive views of the Sisters Range. The day concludes with a long descent to Glacier Creek road.

  • 1 day Experience
  • Dates: March - May
  • Price: $400 per person
Difficulty:
Advanced

day 01

6:00

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

11:30

Arrive at Thunder Glacier

11:45

Ski descent

12:30

Lunch in Wallace basin

13:00

Ski tour

14:30

Arrive at Lightening Peak

14:45

Ski descent

16:00

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.

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
  • 30-40 liter day 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.

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