Alta Vista Ice Axe Arrest Practice 3/11/2012

Heading towards the Wonderland Trail from the parking lot at Longmire in Mount Rainier National Park.

Momentary trail break.

Intently listening to the directions of our fearless leader Dave.

Dave explains how to travel safely in snow.

Learning Self-Belay

Waiting in line to practice self-arrest techniques.

Ida's self-arrest

The crew heads home

In the excitement of today I neglected to take off my helmet.

We headed to Mount Rainier National Park up towards Alta Vista to practice ice axe arrest techniques and proper snow travel. When we got on to the ridge at Alta Vista the conditions were such that we were initially unable to find a safe place in which to practice to to avalanche concerns. However on our way back down the trail we spotted a sutable location for which to practice. It was a great day in the snow with some great friends and a great instructor.

Driving Directions: 

• From Seattle
  South on I-5 to SR 512 (exit 127). East on SR 512 to SR 7. South on SR 7 to SR 706 in Elbe. East on SR 706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance.