Crampon and Ice Axe instruction

[Fletch29]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and would like to ask for some advice.

I live in San Diego and I'm looking for a place that has classes or provides instruction on using crampons and an ice axe. I know I'm not in a hot spot for mountaineering but I'm just wondering if there is a location within a reasonable drive from San Diego. Any ideas? I'll even entertain paying an individual to take time to teach me and maybe one of my friends.

I've done the C2C trail before and had a great time and wanted to do it again this weekend (Apr 18th) but I think I'm going to hold off due to the possible ice on the trail. I figure if get some good instruction and practice with crampons and the axe I won't be hamstrung by the trail conditions in the future.

My second question is if anyone has any good day hike alternatives to C2C? Distance and elevation gain aren't really an issue it's just the ice on steep portions of the trail that I want to stay away from.

Thank you in advance for the replies!

Fletch

[Zé]

If you want steep, Iron Mountain #1 in the San Gabriels. peak is at 8000 ft with south ridge ascent, should be mostly snow free.

[KathyW]

I took this class a few years back:

http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/summer_snow_skills.html

It was a really good class.

[Fletch29]

Awesome! Thank you for the replies. I will definitely check that course out if I have the time to make the trip.
Ze, my buddy and I decided to give the Idyllwild to San Jacinto a try instead. We made it up Devil's slide and about 1.5 up the PCT when we lost the trail in all the snow so we never even made it to Wellman's. Could of used a GPS or even a good topo map but it was a good time none the less.

[bigfoot_tall]

We made it up Devil's slide and about 1.5 up the PCT when we lost the trail in all the snow so we never even made it to Wellman's.

Looks like you made it about as far as I did on Friday with 4 boy scouts and a green leader. I'm not sure that crampons would've helped at that point on the trail, but a GPS would've been nice.

[mark2812]

Kurt Wedberg at SMI in Bishop also offers a snow travel course designed as a good intro to crampon use, ice axe self arrest etc.