Training for Mt Ranier in Estes Park




We took a glacier travel/cravasse rescue course in Estes Park to help train for Ranier. We started out by going to Rocky Mountain National Park and learning how to effectively create anchors in the snow and attach equipment for rescue procedures. The pics above are from the park, on the left I am putting in a snow anchor, and on the right Crash and Ski are listening to the instruction. After that the class moved down by the lake in Estes Park where we learned crevasse rescue. In the pics below we are gearing up. We simulated having to self rescue from a crevasse by using a prussik system to 'climb' up the free hanging rope. After that we simulated having to rescue someone from a crevasse by hooking to an anchor and using the ropes to create a pully system to gain an advantage and make it possible to pull up the full weight of a person.

Above are a couple of shots of Ski working himself up the rope with a texas prussik. To the right I am just gaining the top of the simulated crevasse and about to crawl out. Below are shots of me and Ski on top. We also learned how to rope together for glacier traveland some key techniques for travel across alpine terrain. We had several other training sessions on our own, practicing the rescue techniques at Ski's house, and practicing glacier travel and self arrest several times at St Mary's Glacier.