Last Degree Ski Training

Join Mountain Professionals Polar Adventurer and Expedition Guide Ryan Waters for a 5-day immersion into the world of winter travel and polar expeditions. Learn valuable skills and techniques that will allow you to travel comfortably, safely and efficiently in cold and snow. Special emphasis is placed on learning the necessary skills and systems required to join a South Pole Last Degree Ski Trip. Based out of a remote cabin, this course is designed to teach the skills associated with modern-day polar travel while completing a ‘mini’ expedition. After spending the first two days alternating between indoor instruction and outdoor practicals, students will embark on a three-day traverse of realistic polar conditions. With temperatures well below zero and conditions similar to the poles, this adventure will provide a challenging, yet safe, opportunity to experience the many facets of a Last Degree Ski trip.

Topics covered

Polar Travel Philosophy, Fitness and Training, Logistics, Explanation of Navigation, Daily routines and Travel Techniques, Clothing Layers, Equipment, Communications, Tent Safety, and Last Degree Trip menus.

Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion (to be used as reference) and should be prepared for a South Pole Last Degree Expedition.

In 2010, Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog completed a 1,117 mile/1,800 kilometer Antarctic ski expedition over 70 days from Berkner Island in the Ronne/Filchner Sea to the South Pole, continuing to the Ross Sea to complete the first ski traverse of the Antarctica mainland, without resupplies or the use of kites. He and Eric Larsen skied unsupported to the North Pole in Spring 2014, completing the journey in 53 days, making Ryan the first American to complete the True Adventurers Grand Slam with unsupported and unassisted coast to pole trips to both poles. He is the first American to ski unsupported and unassisted coast to pole trips to both poles. He has guided clients on a 44 day coastal start unsupported Messner/Fuchs route and 53 day coastal start, unsupported Hercules Inlet route trips as well as several Last Degree trips to the South Pole. Ryan has a Master Polar Guide certification from the IPGA.

• Day 1. Arrive at trip start location, Denver International Airport, Pickup provided and transfer to training location. Course Overview and focus on all tent setup skills for polar travel outside the cabin. Gear and clothing check. Sleep in Tents.
• Day 2. Morning meeting. Introduction to clothing systems, layering. Discussion on skis, bindings, boots system. Introduction to sleds, pulling harness, and sled packing. Practice skills on skis with sleds. Evening discussion on South Pole Last Degree food menu and packing.
• Day 3. Finalize equipment for mini expedition on frozen lake. Depart after lunch for ski trip. Practice ski skills, personal layering systems, travel structure, and navigation. Focus on Camp Setup and living in the tents.
• Day 4. Continue to practice ski skills and camp take down/setup. Discussion on Stoves and safety. Discussion on communications and maps with compass.
• Day 5. Morning camp take down, sled packing practice, personal packing systems, and then ski back to cabin by mid-day. Pack all expedition and personal items back into transfer and drive back to Denver.

Trip Cost Includes

• Mountain Professionals polar instructors.
• Accommodations on trip in tents and in small lodge for meetings.
• All transportation, according to the program.
• Personal specialized gear – sleds, pulling harness, skis, bindings.
• All meals according to the program while at the training site and on the ski trip.
• Group equipment, tents, stoves, safety, etc.
• Navigation equipment, compasses, GPS, maps.
• Communication, satellite phones,

Price does not include

• Airfare to and from trip start in Denver.
• Food, beverages, while in transit to the training site.
• Ski Boots, Rentals may be available.
• Personal clothing and equipment.
• Expenses of personal nature.