Category: Crystal Crag

SMI Guides are back in action!

Mt. Whitney Summit!

SMI guides are ecstatic to be back guiding trips in the Sierra! We have spent this spring during the pandemic staying in shape, keeping sharp with our skills, and honing our craft. With things starting to open up again we are ecstatic to be once again outside sharing adventures in the Sierra Nevada with our guests.

The Sierra Nevada is our home, our back yard, and our favorite mountain range in the world. The possibilities for adventure and solitude are endless. Try ticking off some of our California 14ers on our Palisades trips, or the exhilaration from one of our classic alpine rock climbs. Learn to transfer your indoor climbing skills to the outdoor realm on one of our rock climbing programs, or discover pristine destinations in the Sierra Nevada through one of our customized backpacking trips! Whatever your desire the Sierra Nevada has it all!

During the month of July join any SMI trip in 2020 and receive a free custom SMI UPF 50+ Buff!

Alpine Rock Climbing Training July 24-27, 2012

Crystal Crag above the town of Mammoth Lakes.

Starting on July 24 Erin Carey, Christy Grimsley, and Vicki Schwantes traveled from Washington DC to join SMI guides April Mayhew and Kurt Wedberg on a 7-day alpine rock climbing seminar.  The goal was to learn skills and techniques applicable to the backcountry alpine environment.  Over the course of a week we spent a couple days reviewing gear placements, anchor set ups, and rock rescue skills then put them into practice on climbs of Cyrstal Crag, the North Ridge of Mt. Conness, and Charlotte Dome.  We covered a lot of ground in seven days and it was a lot of fun for all.  There are separate write ups for our climbs of Mt. Conness and Charlotte Dome.  Here are a few pictures of our days reviewing skills.  The entire photo gallery is here:

Alpine Rock Climbing Training July 24-27, 2012

SMI guide Kurt Wedberg discussing gear placements.

SMI guide April Mayhew discussing anchor set ups for multi pitch alpine climbing.

Vicki conducting a mock rescue of Christy during our rock rescue practice.

Vicki and Christy during our climb of Crystal Crag.