Vertfest Clinics w/ John and Olivia Race ~ Sunday Feb 19, 2012

Intermediate Techniques to Improve Efficiency for backcountry skiing

AT Efficiency Clinic w/ John and Olivia Race ~ 2012 Vertfest

Verfest Clinic Description ~ Sunday February 19, 2012

Want to be able to ski 10,000' in a day, or do multiple 6,000' days consecutively? The goal of this clinic is to provide you with the tools to be more efficient both while skinning uphill and when making the transition back to downhill mode - the 2 biggest time sucks in a day of touring.

Join IFMGA guides, and La Sportiva ski ambassadors, John and/or Olivia Race to learn how to shave time throughout the day and increase your vertical, and overall enjoyment, as a result. We will do two half day tours in the Alpental slack-country and focus on techniques including:

• Recognizing and maintaining an ideal skin track angle
• Using the terrain to set a comfortable/safe and efficient skin track 
• Proper body position for uphill travel
• Efficient kick turns (uphill & downhill)
• Dressing for uphill travel
• Techniques for efficient transitions - both from uphill to downhill mode and vice versa 
• Equipment Selection (skin width & maintenance , ski crampons, risers etc)

Clinic Times: Sunday February 19, 2012

• AM clinic – 9 am  to noon
• PM clinic – 1 pm to 4 pm
• All Clinics meet prior to start time at Sportiva Booth at base of Alpental Ski area.

Clinic Cost: $45 per participant (with $2.57 service fee added).  

To Register Visit:  2012 Vertfest Clinic Registration

Equipment Needed:  The clinic takes about 3 hours, and will involve roughly 2 hours of actual ski touring with stops here and there for instruction.  You should have AT or Telemark skis with touring bindings, beacon, shovel, probe, a 30-40L backpack, clothing suitable for the weather that can be layered to work for moderately paced touring as well as standing around during discussion.  You should also bring some light snacks, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, goggles, and other typical ski touring gear.  During the clinic we will discuss what equipment we use when conducting long tours, so there will be an opportunity to experiment a bit with different gear.

Other Links: 

Sportiva Ski Site
Northwest Mountain School ~ AT Ski Courses

Aconcagua Team at High Camp & Ready to Go!

High Camp (Camp Cholera) 19,400'

Jared called in this afternoon to say that he and Meg had moved up to high camp (19,400'). He reported they were both happy and healthy and planning to try for the summit tomorrow. We will post any updates here as they come in. We are wishing them the best for tomorrow!

Aconcagua Update - Carry to High Camp Complete

Jared called in this afternoon to say that he and Meg completed their carry to high camp (Camp Cholera 19,400') today. He said they were both feeling good and the carry went well - about 2 hours up and 45 min back to Camp 2, the point on the map below is camp 2. The skies continue to be clear and it is still a bit windy. Looking at the extended forecast it appears that this will continue to be the case throughout the trip.

Camp 2

The plan moving forward is for Jared and Meg to move to high camp early tomorrow then rest through the afternoon and evening. They hope to make a summit attempt on Sunday February 5th.

Aconcagua team at Camp 2

Jared called in this afternoon and reported that he and Meg had moved up to Camp 2 (18,200') today. David decided that he would head home and he descended to base camp today.

It was windy this evening (~20-25 mph) at camp 2, there are some clouds and very light snow.

The plan for Jared and Meg for tomorrow is to take a rest day at camp 2 to continue the acclimatization process.

Aconcagua - Rest Day at Camp 1

Jared called in today and the team is taking a rest day at Camp 1. The map above shows their camp 1 location at 16,200' as transmitted by the spot beacon this morning. The weather is clear and everyone is doing well. More soon.

Aconcagua team moving to Camp 1

Jared called in at 8:15 AM Pacific time this morning. He said everyone is doing great and they are moving to Camp 1 today. When he called in they were 1000' below camp 1 and making good progress. The team had enjoyed some rest/acclimatization time at base camp over the last few days and are now beginning their steady climb up the mountain towards the summit. We will keep you posted as we hear from Jared.

Jared called again to let us know that the team had made it to camp 1 and were getting tucked in there for a few days. The weather is good (a little windy but clear) He also said move day was less strenuous for everyone than carry to camp 1 - which is good as it means folks are becoming acclimatized.

Aconcagua Team Underway

Jared checked in this morning to say the team was packed, rested and heading by jeep to Punta de Vaca (7,600') where they will begin the trek into the mountain. The team will camp at Pampas Las Lenas (8,850') tonight. It generally takes about 4-5 hours to cover the 7 miles between Punta de Vaca and La Lena.

Jared's check in this morning was the following:

"After being well rested and well fed and perhaps feeling the curative qualities of a little Malbec we leave the relative comfort of los Penitentes and travel by Landcruiser to the trailhead and entrance to the Vacas Valley where our adventure truly begins."

Mule Loads Packed - 135 kg

The photo above shows the end result of yesterday's packing effort. The total gear packed up for the mules to carry amounted to 135 kgs for our team of 3. In addition to the mule loads Jared, David and Meg will each be carrying their packs with enough food, water and gear to be prepared for each day on the trek into base camp.

Team at Pampas Las Lenas

UPDATE: Jared just checked in using the spot beacon at 11:40 AM Pacific time. It appears that the team has made it to tonight's camp. The map above shows the distance that they covered today.