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SMG E-News #9
| November 2010
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Greetings!
As we coil climbing ropes after a busy and successful Summer and Fall of guided programs in the mountains, and early snows promise a great winter, its time to reflect on 25 years of operating Sawtooth Mountain Guides. What great experiences we've had with those who have shared that time, whether its been on the rock, trekking over high passes, or backcountry skiing with us at the Williams Peak hut.
With the completion of the summer season of 2010, SMG reached it 25th Birthday which represents a milestone of safe, professional programs, and of a collection of individual guides and staff who have both contributed and helped lead the way. Its easy to look back and appreciate those who have helped get SMG to this birthday, and what is a guide without those of you who have joined in on our adventures.
The 25 years behind are really just what brings us to the present season, where we are proud to have a great collection of guide staff and professional programs. SMG continues to provide great opportunities for mountain education and training, as well as unique guided opportunities and programs, as we move forward into the coming winter season and the seasons to come.
Hope you'll be joining us this year to celebrate!
Kirk Bachman
Erik Leidecker
Co-Owners
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 | | Click for more photos |
Summer Wrap Up
One of the major themes during summer 2010 at SMG was alpine climbing. Co-owner and IFMGA guide, Erik Leidecker, climbed in Chamonix for a week with long-time client Ellen Singer. At home veteran guide and IFMGA aspirant, Marc Hanselman, climbed and guided several routes, including several possible first ascents, in the eastern Pioneer Range near Sun Valley. This high alpine zone continues to deliver stellar ridge routes on par with those in the Tetons and Cascades. Of course we were busy in the Sawtooths as well with near daily activity on the Super Slabs as well as a handful of ascents of the Elephant's Perch (The Mountaineer's Route and Sideline), the Finger of Fate, Warbonnet, and Mt. Heyburn.
Another major theme was corporate trips. We ran two retreat programs for New York and Connecticut-based hedge funds in Moab, Utah, and partnered there with affiliate guide services Tag-A-Long Adventures and Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Activities included mountain biking, rock climbing, orienteering, canyoneering, and whitewater rafting!
Finally, our summer office in Ketchum was a great success. Office manager and aspirant guide Megan Flynn (currently on an epic fall climbing trip she's dubbed "Rocktober"!) ran a tight ship, which was important for this experiment. We shared our office space with whitewater operator Sawtooth Adventure Company, EpicQuest/Sun Valley Heli-Ski and the Bike Ranch.
All in all we had a terrific summer and we want to extend a big thanks to everyone who spent time with
us in the mountains, as well as to our guide staff, which did an excellent job!
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 | | The Hut on Halloween 2010 |
Winter Arrives in the Mountains!
As snow reports pop up online for the Western US, the early season stoke officially starts, and we all like to hear the totals. Well, Kirk went to the hut on Halloween day to get our totals for the autumn snow. This unsettled weekend combined with the impressive storm from early last week, resulted in a nice (and early) start to our winter.Read Complete Conditions Report Here...
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 | | Mike Hatch closely noting bad layers on a Level 1 last year |
Advanced Training Continues
With our strong avalanche and rock instruction programs, SMG supports any kind of advanced training for guides as well. This training is always part of the guiding industry, whether its technical, medical or avalanche.SMG Guides continue on the AMGA track, with Marc Hanselman completing his Advanced Alpine Guides Course and Aspirant Exam in the Cascades. Congrats!SMG has also sponsored a Wilderness First Responder course which is being held in Ketchum. This takes place from Nov. 12-21 and will be taught by Remote Medical. Take a look at our featured sponsor profile! As the winter side of things continues to be involved with AIARE, there will be a Level 2 Instructor Training Course held in Stanley. With the Sawtooth Mountains as a venue, and SMG as a host, avalanche professionals will go through training involved with becoming Level 2 Instructors.
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 | Time counts on training or in real life
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Trends in Avalanche Education; Avalanches Don't Know You're an Expert
For the backcountry traveler, recognizing avalanche conditions and times of hazard and instability, is the most important skill set one can have. Decisions on where to go should be centered toward 'avalanche avoidance.' That said, predicting avalanches and avoiding them often are complicated by complex array of 'Human Factors.' Experts and novice backcountry recreationists often fall prey to being caught in avalanches unexpectedly.As a co-chair of the American Avalanche Association education committee, we constantly ask ourselves, What is the most valuable set of skills a backcountry recreationalist can have, independent of level of experience? The answer is Companion Rescue Skills.This season's slate of SMG Avalanche Education is putting increasing importance on the availability of Companion Rescue Courses, which we consider to be a stand alone course and open to all winter recreationists: novice through advanced, skiers, boarders, sledders and anyone else who finds themselves in avalanche terrain. Message: keep your skills current as lots has been developed with beacon technology, probing and digging strategies, and skills which will make a difference in victim burial time.
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 | | Spacing out while traveling in Avalanche Terrain |
Avalanche Education, Courses & Custom Guiding
As always, we have a variety of avalanche courses in the Sawtooth Mountains, providing great terrain for learning:
2010/11 Schedule
BC Skills: Dec 10-12 (Williams Peak Hut)
Avalanche Level 1: Jan 7-9, Jan 14-16 (both Wiliams Peak Hut) & Jan 28-30 (Stanley Basin)
Companion Rescue Clinic: Dec 18 & Feb 12
Avalanche Level 1 Refresher: Dec 18-19, Feb 12-13
Avalanche Level 2: Feb 19-22
Ski Mountaineering Camp: April 21-24 & April 28-May 1
See Course Details Here...
Although every season we have a full slate of scheduled courses, we are always open to custom avalanche instruction. This can be a one-on-one day tour at a pass working on skill sets, or a private group avalanche course.
Aside from courses, we also offer single and multi-day backcountry skiing and guiding. Come take advantage of the 2 mountain passes on the north and south side of the range, offering good access to a variety of terrain, or come for a big tour into the Sawtooth Wilderness. Setting aside a few days and taking advantage of the renowned Williams Peak Yurt, which opens up many basins, glades and chutes to explore.
See More on backcountry skiing here...
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 SMG Offers Ice Climbing
Late autumn is the best time for ice climbing in our area. The temperature drops enough for ice to form, but often there hasn't been enough to snow to hamper access. We have great early-season venues in the Pioneer Mountains including Trail Creek, Cobb Peak, and East Fork, where the ice ranges from low angle (perfect for crampon and French technique work) to vertical! Contact us for anything from introductory instruction to private guiding on multi-pitch routes!
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| Mid winter from inside of the range... | Thanks for checking in...be safe & have fun!
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| Contact Information |
Sawtooth Mountain Guides
PO Box 18
Stanley, ID 83278
www.sawtoothguides.com
(208)-774-3324
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