SFI Skiing and Snowshoeing

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Panther Peak Overnight Ski; A Ski Mountaineering Course
Date: Saturday, February 21-22, 2009
Instructor: Randy Coffman
Price: $100 for all

Learn basic winter snow travel in Sequoia National Park. Skills learned will be snow camping and ascending a peak via a steep snow and ice gully called a couloir. The session begins on Saturday morning with a 2.5 mile ski from Wolverton to Panther Gap. We will establish camp and learn winter mountaineering skills including avalanche awareness, snow shelter construction, basic rope work, crampon and ice axe use, and self-arrest techniques with the ice axe. On Sunday participants will put their new skills to use while ascending Panther Peak. The class will conclude late in the afternoon following the ski back to Wolverton. Participants must be able to ski with a backpack six miles (round-trip) with elevation changes of 1,800’. Limit: 6 people - THIS COURSE WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNLESS IT IS FULL.
Price includes: pre-course support, two days instruction, ice axe, rope, crampon, ski skins, snow shovel, tent, cookware, stove, and wilderness permit.
Age range: 16 and up.
Difficulty level:

Note: By registering for a Sequoia Field Institute program, you acknowledge having read and accepted the Release and Waiver of Liability Form. Please note any comments in the "Comment/Suggestions" box when checking out. Once we receive your payment, a confirmation and detailed itinerary will be mailed to you.

$100

Introduction to Cross Country Skiing
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Instructor: Paul Bischoff
Price: $46 (member price $40)

After many, many years of back country skiing, instructor Paul Bischoff has said that he has returned to art and sport of cross country skiing for its ease, simplicity, and cost. At the Wuksachi Lodge, you’ll get your ski gear and head out for a day of gentle and very fun cross country ski lessons. After lunch (you bring), spend the afternoon practicing your new skills and get more personal tips from Paul. Limit: 10 people.

Price includes: course registration, instruction, cross country ski gear rental.
Age range: 16 and up.
Difficulty level:

Note: By registering for a Sequoia Field Institute program, you acknowledge having read and accepted the Release and Waiver of Liability Form. Please note any comments in the "Comment/Suggestions" box when checking out. Once we receive your payment, a confirmation and detailed itinerary will be mailed to you.

SNHA Member $40

Non-Member     $46

Trans-Sierra High Route
Date: April 18 - 24, 2010
Instructor: Randy Coffman
Price: $660 (member price $600)

The Trans-Sierra High Route is truly a remote, 40-mile ski/mountaineering adventure. For this reason, it is recommended only for persons who are strong intermediate cross-country skiers, skilled in the use of ice axe and crampons, as well as being versed in snow camping techniques. Persons should be in very good physical condition and able to ski with a heavy pack for several miles each day. Objective hazards such as avalanches and rock fall, extreme weather conditions including high winds, heavy snow, white out conditions, and electrical storms may all occur. High altitude will also affect persons to varying degrees. The elevation for most of the trip is between 9500’ and 13,500’. You provide your own gear (equipment is available for rent through SNHA at an extra cost) and food.
Price includes: pre-trip consultation, instruction and guiding for seven days, wilderness permitting, transportation to/from trail heads via Visalia.
Age range: 18 and up.
Difficulty level: Very strenuous

Note: By registering for a Sequoia Field Institute program, you acknowledge having read and accepted the Release and Waiver of Liability Form. Please note any comments in the "Comment/Suggestions" box when checking out. Once we receive your payment, a confirmation and detailed itinerary will be mailed to you.

SNHA Member $600

Non-Member     $660

"I was able to improve my mountaineering and ski skills which increase my confidence/skills in the backcountry. Our leader, Randy Coffman, as always, was excellent."   Participant, April 2008

Guide & Naturalist Services - Our local naturalists and skills-based guides collectively have thousands of hours of experience on over 800 miles of Parks trails. We’ve been to the highest point in the continental U.S. We’ve explored the Parks on trail and off. We’ve kayaked, fished, floated, walked, run, climbed, taught, swam, snorkeled, skied, snow shoed, sledded, bouldered, snow camped, backpacked, snowboarded, sauntered, birded, and caved in every corner of these Parks. We provide pre-trip tips and tricks, consultation, course registration, permits, rental gear, excellent skills-based instruction, top-notch fun family activities, standards-based science curricula, off the beaten path trail information, and a lot of support for those trying to plan the trip of a lifetime for yourself or others.

The Choice is Yours Guide/Naturalist Services - Imagine having your own guide to explore

these national parks. Hire a naturalist to spend the day with you, your family or friends

and learn why these parks are so amazing with the experts. You can pick a specific topic

like: sequoias, birds, flowers, geology, choose to learn about many topics or none at all

and let a free-flowing experience occur through a non-structured learning environment.

We can even take you on a backpacking trip or snowshoe walk. We tailor the experience

to meet your interests.

Email SFI@sequoiahistory.org, or call us at (559) 565-4251 if you would like to find out more!

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