Five signs of a closet snowcamper
Application deadline: Monday, December 15.
Orientation Day: Saturday, January 10.
It's time to sign up for the Sierra Club's annual Snowcamping Training Series and Alumni Trips. The series teaches groups of adults - and families with children over seven - how to be safe and have fun on overnight snow trips. If you exhibit any of the following five signs, it may be time to join in and indulge your inner snowcamper.
You mope around all winter waiting for spring backpacking
Don't hang up your boots over the winter. Learn to snowcamp, and you can backpack all year round. Anyone with summer backpacking experience can pick up the techniques to stay warm and cozy on a winter snow trip.
You love playing in the snow, building sandcastles
Snowcampers really know how to enjoy snow. They are often found forging new trails across pristine powder, sledding on their sleeping pads, making snow angels, or photographing the scenery. As for sand castles, imagine making the ultimate castle out of snow, and then sleeping in it overnight. Students consistently rate building sleeping structures as their favorite snowcamping activity. You can start out slowly by levelling a site and digging some foot-wells for your tent, and then progress to trenches, snow caves, or igloos.
You wish that backpacking could be more luxurious
`Luxury' is not a word people often associate with sleeping outdoors, but snowcamping is surprisingly luxurious. Snowcampers never wake up scrunched in the corner of their tent, or with a rock sticking into their back due to poor choice of site. They simply level a comfortable snow platform for their tent. Snowcampers don't race into camp to secure the only comfortable sitting rock; instead they construct snow kitchens complete with tables and high-back chairs. The range of luxuries is limited only by your imagination. Fancy an en-suite bathroom for your sleeping structure or some shelves to hold your gear? Just build them. Your leaders will always be around to offer construction tips.
You want to improve your navigation skills
From beginner to advanced navigator, snowcamping provides plenty of challenges. Many landmarks such as meadows, small hills, and even lakes are difficult to spot when covered in snow, and it is very important to be able to find your car in a snowstorm. Under the guidance of experienced winter navigators, beginners will learn how to take and follow a compass bearing, to triangulate their position on a map, and to spot snow-covered landmarks. More advanced navigators will be given the opportunity to navigate for the group and test their skills in difficult weather conditions.
You enjoy camping with friends and/or family
Snowcamping provides opportunities for adventure with new or existing friends and/or family. The trips are very sociable, with activities such as group dinners and navigation exercises planned to encourage teamwork. There is plenty of time to meet new people or bond with old friends while hiking to camp, building snow structures, or eating dinner in the snow kitchen.
If any of these signs sound familiar, read on for more information about the Sierra Club Snowcamping Training Series and Alumni Trips.
The popular Training Series, now in its 40th year, teaches groups of either adults or families essential winter navigation, how to build a myriad of snow shelters, and importantly, how to stay warm and comfortable in the snow. The series consists of one full Orientation Day of classroom training in the Bay Area (Sat., Jan. 10), followed by two overnight trips in the Sierra during February and March. The first trip is for one night and the second for two nights. Sign up fast to select dates that work for you.
Graduates of the training series enjoy a variety of annual `alumni' trips. Alumni trips usually have a theme such as `gourmet cooking', `igloo building', or `improving navigation skills'. Trips vary in length of time and distance hiked, and some even include a night in a lodge. If you can think of a theme, it's probably available, or if not, why not suggest it to the group?
On Orientation Day you meet your group and its leaders, learn about the equipment you will need, and practice basic navigation techniques. Your experienced leaders and assistants will share their field-tested clothing and equipment recommendations, discuss snowshoe and ski choices, and provide tips on winter driving, how to stay warm, and how to build the best snow cave. Group dinners, carpools, and trailhead meeting times are also arranged. Many participants choose to stay in a motel close to the trailhead on the night before the trip so that any last-minute equipment issues can be resolved, and to enjoy the company of fellow snowcampers.
On a typical snow trip we meet at the trailhead for basic map-and-compass practice, and then, with maps oriented, the group follows a compass bearing to our camping spot. During the hike, leaders give navigation and snowshoe instruction and point out winter hazards. Once we reach a suitable camping spot, we begin constructing shelters and a kitchen, and spend the evening pleasantly eating, chatting, and perhaps taking a night hike.
After a cozy night in tents and snow structures, the group meets for breakfast and a tour of the residences. Residents discuss the merits of their structures and suggest possible improvements for the second trip. After the tour, structures are dismantled, and more map-and-compass skills are taught before the hike back to the trailhead.
The second trip follows a similar format, with the middle day spent improving structures, hiking, and doing more advanced map-and-compass work.
WhatYouCanDo
For more information on winter camping and the Snowcamping Training series, visit the Snowcamping Section web site or call Anne at (510)526-6792.
To sign up for the series, fill in the on-line application form and submit your payment by Mon., Dec. 15. The series costs $98 for Sierra Club members, $103 for non-members, $20 for each accompanied child, and $50 for a youth in a youth group. Apply by the early-bird deadline of Sun., Nov. 23, to receive a $10 discount off the regular adult rate. A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information contact John at jsedlander@gmail.com Jodi at: jdi_bly@yahoo.com
For further information about Alumni Trips and the application form for them, click on the `Alumni Trips' link. Trip costs range from $25 - 65. Some trips fill up quickly and have pre-trip meetings; it's best to sign up before Mon., Dec. 15.
To meet some of our leaders, discuss equipment, and view an informative presentation, come to one of our free Snowcamping Clinics at Bay Area outdoor stores:
- Thu. Nov. 9 - Sports Basement (15th and Bryant in San Francisco);
- Tue., Dec. 1 - REI Concord;
- Wed., Dec. 3 - REI Corte Madera, REI Mountain View, and REI San Francisco;
- Thu., Dec. 4 - REI Saratoga;
- Tue., Dec. 9 - REI Berkeley.
All clinics start at 7 pm. More may be scheduled; for the most up-to-date clinic information, please visit our web site.