Camping in the snow is Fun! This outing will focus on hiking with snowshoes, site selection and shelter building.
We'll drive to Onyx Summit (8,443 ft.),then snowshoe in 1 mile to the Pacific Crest Trail and set up camp at approximately 8,600 ft. During the afternoon, we'll build a snow kitchen and one (or more) shelters if there is enough snow. The hardest working students may have an opportunity to sleep in a shelter! If there is not enough snow we will hike to Onyx Peak (9,113 ft) in the afternoon or evening.
Sunday after breakfast we'll tear down the snow kitchen/shelter(s) and, if we have not already done so hike to Onyx Peak, then we'll return to camp, pick up our packs and hike out to our cars.
Special Outing Requirements: Snowshoes, trekking/ski poles (w/ snow baskets), Yaktrax/Microspikes/Traction devices, 2 sleeping pads (1 closed cell), a pot for melting snow and other equipment as discussed in planning meeting (based on weather forecast). Tent sharing is strongly encouraged. Snow chains may be required for all vehicles.
Water Requirements: 2 liters (wide mouth bottles)...remaining water will be melted snow. |