One night in the winter Sierra
The Guided Overnight Trip - One Night / Two Days is the entry-level winter camping experience with the Yosemite Mountaineering School. Two days of guided backcountry travel with a camp night between, in the Yosemite high country backcountry.
Day-by-day
Day 1: Meet at Badger Pass, gear check, skin-in to camp (typically 3-5 miles). Set up camp under guide direction — including how to build snow walls, prep the kitchen area, manage gear. Afternoon ski tour from camp if conditions allow. Dinner, gear maintenance, sleep.
Day 2: Morning ski tour from camp on different terrain than Day 1. Return to camp, break camp, ski out to Badger Pass. Wrap by mid-afternoon.
What's included
- Two days of certified guide
- Group gear (tent, stove, cooking equipment)
- Permits and route planning
- Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel)
Not included: personal gear (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothing, personal toiletries), food, ski gear (AT setup). Most of these are rentable. Food is your responsibility — guide will provide a packing list.
Skill prerequisites
Intermediate skier comfortable on blue terrain. No prior winter camping experience required — that's the point. The guide teaches the camp systems, the cold-weather routines, and the safety practices as part of the trip.
Reasonable physical condition is important. You're not running ultras, but you're hauling a 30-pound pack on skis for several hours each day at altitude. People with no winter outdoor background should plan some pre-trip conditioning.
