MIT Outing Club

bWinter School 2001bWinter School 2001

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 2

Goals of Winter SchoolGoals of Winter School

• Introduce wilderness winter sports

• Teach techniques

• Demonstrate equipment

• Teach safety

• Instill wilderness ethics

• Provide first hand experience

Lonesome Lake

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 4

ActivitiesActivities

Hiking (below and above treeline)Winter CampingCross-Country SkiingIce Climbing (limited)

Adirondacks – XC Skiing

Dog Sledding in New Hampshire

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 7

Why Winter School?Why Winter School?

• Everybody is here with free time (IAP)

• Unique challenges posed by weather and terrain

• Mountains are less crowded

• Preparation for other expeditions

Mt. Liberty

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 9

Pre-Requisites Pre-Requisites

• No winter experience necessary

• Mild weather experience desired but not necessary

• Open mind (accept what others teach you)

• Common sense (know your limits)

• Enthusiasm is welcome

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 10

OverviewOverview

• Why is attendance important?

• First and most important things (clothing, food)

• Cool stuff (lectures, movies, talk shows)

• Leaders are people too - ask questions, get to know them, make friends

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 11

Inherent DangerInherent Danger

• Winter environment is unforgiving

• You will be far away (up to a day) from any help

• Serious injury can result from frostbite, injury, and other accidents. You can lose digits or entire body parts

• Death can occur from hypothermia, exposure, accidents, drowning, and other ways

• Several people die every year in the White Mountains, especially the Presidentials

Mt. Washington

Mt. Washington – lunar base

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 14

Why Winter School?Why Winter School?

Safety

Preparation

Fun

Mt. Pierce

Kinsman Pond

Adirondacks

Ice Climbing – entering the Flume

Sugarloaf – Gourmet Camp Cooking

Swiss Alps

Highway Glacier, Baffin Island

Kilimanjaro (5895m)

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 23

LogisticsLogistics• Optional lectures concern special topics:

xc skiing, orienteering, cold-weather injuries, avalanches

• Some lectures cumulative and mandatory: clothing, day hikes, overnights, above treeline travel, safety

• Gear rental Thursday (8-9pm)

• Weekend outing

• Return gear on Monday (5-6pm)

Lectures: 35-225, 6:30 – 9:00pm

Office: 4th floor Student Center (w20-461)

Bring Checkbook – No Cash or Credit Cards

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 24

Trip ScheduleTrip Schedule

Week 1Below tree-line day hiking, XC skiing

Week 2Above tree-line hiking, XC skiing, snow camping

Week 3 and laterMulti-day hikes and sustained above tree-line travel

We will continue to have easier hikes throughout Winter School if demand is sufficient.

January 5, 2000 MITOC Winter School 25

Today’s LectureToday’s Lecture• Introduction

• Clothing

• Food and water

• Basic Gear

• Hands-on activities:

• Clothing questions

• Packing

• Stoves