Cost: Suggested Donation, $400
Time: Three (3) days moving, one base day
Distance Travelled: Approximately 19 miles, plus instructional hikes.
Elevations: This special, Oregon Intermediate-level Snow Skills Training Course starts at Upper Three Creeks Snow Park (5200), climbs 1800 feet in 8.5 miles to crest a ridge, then descends 400 feet to Green Lakes basin on the ESE side of South Sister.
Rating: Moderately strenuous
Topo: USGS, "Broken Top"

To teach students with a "Basic" understanding of snow-hiking skills how to apply them through a daily moving schedule (as in traditional backpacking) and over more challenging terrain. This course would be good for all those who want to learn how to snow-hike over multiple days, over varied terrain, and accomplish a distance goal (rather than base camp and play).

• Navigation above and below timberline (VRR & GPS)
• creek crossing techniques
• self-arrest and belay skills
• survival shelters
• balance and traction techniques to prevent falls on snow
• ascending and descending techniques to maintain safety
• water collection methods
• LNT (Leave No Trace)
• sanitation guidelines
• snow-caving
• and more!

• Completion of the SBC (Snow Basics Course) or equivalent
• excellent fitness
• a thorough understanding of what's involved in snow camping and travel
• a clear medical history
• preparation for the Course with the recommended gear and clothing

This Course will run as long as we can get to the trailhead! Expect to meet our instructors waiting for you there. You will be notified of any changes by cell phone, if there is a weather or snow level problem preventing the course from running.

The format of instruction is informal and based on a "demonstrate, then practice" way of teaching. It is our intent to pour into you all that we know of "what works" regarding snow travel and related issues.

So, from the time we meet in the trailhead parking lot, your instructor will be constantly "streaming" information and advice to you. It is our hope that you will fall in love with winter snow camping and hiking and will continue on to enjoy many trips of your own in the future!

By email send us your Course Registration Application to see if the course you want is open and whether you qualify. Mountain Education will let you know if your application is approved by return email. If there is an opening, you will be notified by return email and made an "official student," able to access other forms which you can fill out on line and submit for further registration information (medical and releases). At this point, you will, also, be able to access our student library for more written and video information about your course and how to prepare.

Please read the following Course Description thoroughly, the Gear List recommended for it, and any other snow-related info we have in our "Resources" or at our "Campus Theater."

The SIC-5/Oregon Course starts at 0900 at the Upper Three Creeks Snow Park. The route has been selected for its beauty and challenging terrain amongst the flanks of Oregon's volcanoes (yet not so challenging as anything along California's John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail, so this Course is a great preparation trip for all routes steeper and longer).

This 4-day Intermediate Snow Skills Course will include specialized group instruction in many of the following skills:

• Balance when walking on snow (including balance aides)
• Boot edge-control to maintain traction and secure footing
• Snow Shoe or Ski use techniques
• Creek Crossing route selection and techniques
• Safe water acquisition
• Above and Below snow level Hazard Identification and Avoidance
• Crampon and Ice Axe use for Ascent/Descent techniques
• Navigation and Route-Finding above and below timberline
• Topo map reading in 3D, transitioning to reality ahead
• Self-arrest skills training
• Hydration, warmth, moisture, and exposure maintenance.

(Note: Should the weather be snowing, our priorities will be to stay in our tents in order to remain warm and dry. "Wet-Packing" is not allowed during cold weather systems as it often contributes to worse situations like hypothermia, exposure, frostbite, and the like. We will try to teach you as much as intended, but we may have to modify the Course per the weather!)

Snow travel is exhilarating and beautiful, but can be dangerous. Therefore, each student must adhere to the following for individual and group safety concerns:

• No unapproved fires.
• No unapproved wandering.
• Always tell someone where you are going and why whenever you leave basecamp (bathroom, water collection, etc.).
• When travelling, everyone stays together and along a specifically designated route with your Guide in front and Sweep in back.
• For your individual safety and that of your group, conduct yourself as directed by your Guide or Instructor. Willful disrespect or insubordination to direction will result in immediate expulsion from the Course.

Mountain Education is not responsible for accident, injury, or death to students who will not take direction or adhere to the rules of individual and group safe conduct as taught preceeding and during the Course.

• See Recommended Gear Check-List For SIC Courses: Resources
• Bring the USGS Topographic maps of the area (Broken Top), or an equivalent version in detail and scope that covers the route. Do not bring black and white photo-copies of the topo; we teach you how to recognize the color-referenced creeks, lakes and treelines which will aid in your navigation skills during the course.
• Come with two quarts of water per person to start as snow-hiking makes you very thirsty! Have some snacks accessible in an outside pocket of your pack for the first day. You might consider a bear canister for your food.
• Depending on the snow conditions, be prepared to bring crampons, appropriate backcountry poles, and snow shoes. If you are coming with skis, make sure your crampons fit your boots. Contact your Instructor about the need for these. (It is not required that you do this, but we like the pole combination of the Black Diamond Whippet and Traverse poles, one in each hand, and the Kahtoola KTS crampons. We'll teach you why during the Course!)

Clothing:

Consider additional layers for the cold and extras for the wet. You will be practicing falling and sliding on snow and ice, so do not bring fragile external shells

• long-johns
• down parka*
• wind shell
• gloves or mittens (include an extra set of gloves)
• balaclava
• extra socks
• down booties*
• a hat with brim/visor for the sun
• an extra bandana for your neck and another for tent spills
• The extra gloves and socks are for rotation when your sweat builds up while snow-hiking.
• Tall gaiters are a must, especially if we've had recent powder or are expecting a storm during the trip (powder pants with internal gaiters work just fine).
• If your boots use an external waterproofing, bring that, too, should your boots start to leak, your socks get wet, and you need to re-seal.
• *These are especially important for those who get cold easily and/or the weather is bad.

Food:

Bring enough food and fuel for five days. Bring double servings of food or nore (you will be getting lots of exercise!) that are high in calorie and fat content.

Equipment:

• Snowshoes or skis
• ice axe*
• two hiking poles with snow baskets*
• dark glasses that are UVA + B protected, polarized, and fit closely to your face
• sunscreen
• skin lotion
• "chapstick"
• avalanche beacon & probe
• avalanche rescue shovel
• a short, fat candle
• insulated boots that will work with snow shoes
• a snow-stable stove and pot set (do not bring alcohol stoves as you will be learning how to safely cook within your tent--we may get a winter snow storm while we are out)
• a way of keeping several quarts of water in your tent (water bag)
• a thicker-than-summer sleeping pad (two summer pads or a down airmat)
• 3 or 4-season tent that can take 2 or 3 feet of snow on top.
• If you opt to use skis, bring skins that fit that ski's length and width.
• Do not allow your pack weight to exceed 30% of your bodyweight.

* One option is to carry and use one of each, a regular hiking pole with a snow basket and a Black Diamond "Whippet" pole for self-arrest. Bring a long ice axe as well for training (do not bring a ULA Potty Trowel to use as an ice axe). (The axe should be long enough to reach from your down-stretched arm to the ground and be Certified.) (See Rentals).

Sanitation:

• Toilet paper buried in the snow will resurface in the Spring, so either plan to pack it out of burn it there. "
• Wet Wipes" are priceless, too, so consider bringing a package, but plan on packing that out as well. Thus, include a "garbage" ziplock bag in with your toiletries.

Mountain Education rents certain pieces of equipment which it has tested and endorses at the following rates:

• Ice Axes: $10/day
• Avalanche Probes: $10/day
• MSR Lightning Ascent Snow Shoes: $20/day
• Mountain Hardwear 4-season, 1 or 2-man, EV-2 tent: $35/day
• Mountain Hardwear 4-season, 3-man, Trango 3 tent: $45/day,
• Lifelink Shovels: $10/day

REI (or similar mountain shops) sometimes rents sleeping bags, snow shoes and boots, poles, stoves, shovels, beacons, and pads, to name a few. Check your local store for availability.

Some students will be attending from great distances and will fly or drive to get to the trailhead on time. A few will rent a car at the local airport and drive the rest of the way. If students know how each is travelling or arriving, they may be able to pre-arrange sharing costs, car rentals, or travel expenses via pre-course email. These pre-trip email discussions often help everyone understand how to prepare for the trip, "fine-tune" their food and gear, and arrange for their transportation to and arrival at the trailhead.

Pre-trip lodging at the nearest town (Sisters, Oregon) is usually a good idea, especially to get used to the altitude and help you get to the trailhead on time the next morning. Most students use a local "Motel 6," but there may be many little, quaint motels in the area from which to choose that may be as inexpensive. Contact our local representative, Doug Early (dougearly@aol.com) for lodging ideas, should you choose to do this.

You will need a Snow Park Permit for your car's dashboard! These can be obtained locally (contact Doug for details dougearly@aol.com).

You do not need a Wilderness Permit to hike in the winter.

We will meet at the Upper Three Creeks Snow Parking Lot at 9:00am. To get there from Sisters, Oregon, head south on Elm Street, off Highway 20 (pretty much in the middle of town) and as you continue it will turn into Deschutes National Forest Road 16 (Three Creeks Lakes Road). Proceed south on NFR16 approximately 10.5 miles to Upper Three Creeks Snow Park and park in the middle of the plowed lot. There is a pit toilet there for your convenience.

We will start instruction there (what to pack, how to leave your car, what to expect ahead, etc.) while waiting for the last students to arrive. We will leave the parking lot by 10:00am and head off up the trail. If you are running late, stay in touch with Ned by cell phone (530) 721-1551 or Juliee (530) 721-2506

Day 1:
Today's trail begins at an elevation of roughly 5200 feet at the Snow Park and climbs 900 feet over the first 3.5 miles. At Three Creeks Meadow (6100), we head west, gently undulating through lodgepole pine forest across the northeastern flank of Broken Top (a volcanic addition to South Sister), cross two creeks (Snow & Squaw), and end at our 6.5-mile-in destination of Park Meadow (6200). Expect to be snow shoeing or skiing a winding path between trees, up and over obstacles like logs and boulders, under snow-laden branches, in and out of steep tree wells, and across snow bridges over creeks. During this day's travel, we will teach, practice, and discuss:

• Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual impacts of wilderness travel
• Below-tree line Navigation skills (map & compass, GPS)
• Over-snow balance, footing, motion, edge-control, etc.
• Water hazard assessment & avoidance
• Creek-crossing skills
• Snow-camping, sanitation, and tent cooking.

Day 2:
Today, we gradually climb up and over a ridge (7,000 feet) on the southeast side of South Sister that connects to Broken Top, then descend into the Green Lakes basin (6160 feet) where we will make our camp at a total distance of about 3 miles. Our route will follow lateral, minor ridges through the trees to timberline, then continue on along one to the broad, open ridge. We'll enjoy the views, there, have a bite to eat and drink, then descend, somewhat steeply at times into the bowl of Green Lake below. Since we are walking or skiing over snow, there will be no "trail" to follow. We will make our own safe route. During this day's travel, we will teach, practice, and discuss:

• Below treeline route selection
• Avalanche Awareness & Avoidance
• Snow Stability Assessment
• Above treeline Navigation skills & route selection
• Ascending, traversing, balance, & traction skills
• Descending, traversing, balance, & traction skills
• Creek crossing and camp site selection objectives.

After making camp and having lunch, we will conduct the Self-Arrest Clinic on a near-by steep slope of our choice. Prepare to learn how to fall down in the snow and stop using your ice axe. This fun and exciting clinic will require gloves, gaiters, full shells, hoods, glasses, and an ice axe. Bring snacks, fluids, and a camera as this will take the whole afternoon!

Day 3:
This is a special skills learning day where we cover the following skills topics near our camp:

• Avalanche Search and Rescue Clinic (bring avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel)
• Snow Cave Construction Clinic & sleep-over (bring extra gloves, jacket with hood, insulated pant layer, candles)
• Emergency Communications
• Weather Issues

This day we intend to train you in emergency basics. So far, you have learned "how to get around," camp, get water safely, and so on, but you haven't learned what to do when things go badly and border on a wilderness emergency. This training will build a further sense of confidence and security in the mountains! Besides, it's fun!

Day 4:
Homeward Bound! Today we find out what it takes to go out over the 9.5 miles we came in. In "Summer" standards, this would take two or so hour's travel, but over winter powder snow, it may take all day and all your strength. This will help you realize what we call "the realities of the trail" and will help you to realistically plan your next snow-hike! During this day's travel, we will re-emphasize & discuss:

• Camp pack-up & sweep
• Ascent, Descent, & Traverse Techniques
• Safe route-finding & selection decisions
• Sub-snow hazard avoidance
• Issues of Exposure, Thermal Maintenance, Hydration, Snow-Blindness, Caloric Expenditure, Exhaustion, and Emergency Response.

This day we intend to train you in emergency basics. So far, you have learned "how to get around," camp, get water safely, and so on, but you haven't learned what to do when things go badly and border on a wilderness emergency. This training will build a further sense of confidence and security in the mountains! Besides, it's fun!

This Snow Intermediate Course is designed to teach you all you need to know about over-snow travel and camping with emphasis on daily moving in a summer backpacking style. This is not a course for the totally green novice. You need to have camped in the snow before or taken our Snow Basics Course (or equivalent).

Nothing is done or attempted when the weather threatens. In this circumstance, we will learn to remain in our tents until conditions outside are safe for further travel. We, also, may not be able to teach all we hope to due to weather or group limitations. This is life in the mountains. Learn it; Plan for it. Now, have fun with wisdom and confidence!

**Costs: What this means is the cost is up to you! First of all, there is no pre-payment needed. Then, if at the end of the course (in the trailhead parking lot) you decide that the trip was priceless, you had a great learning experience, and would recommend it to everyone you know, then make a donation that reflects that! If you didn't learn anything, the trip was a waste of time, and you'd tell everyone you know not to go to one of these courses in the future, then drive home!

If this SIC course sounds like what you're looking for, fill out our online Course Registration Application, attach it to an email to us, and look forward to our review!