This is a comprehensive introduction to alpine mountaineering. Graduates will develop the fundamental skills necessary to climb alpine peaks in the northwest. We will cover knots, anchors, belaying, rappelling, rock climbing, glacier travel, the fundamentals of self rescue, and crevasse rescue. This course runs approximately five months meeting weekly with several field trips. Attendance at all lectures and field trips, first aid, navigation and completing experience climbs are required for graduation. Participants should be in good cardiovascular shape and be comfortable with basic camping skills. Everett offers an intimate learning experience with a high instructor to student ratio. This is perhaps the best reason to select this course.

The basic climbing course is a program of classroom and field instruction designed to equip students with the fundamental skills and experience necessary to safely climb most rock, snow, and glaciated peaks in the Pacific Northwest. Instruction includes alpine travel and navigational techniques as well as the technical aspects of roped climbing on rock, snow, and glaciers. It concentrates on basic climbing techniques and mountaineering skills: rope handling, knots, navigation, belaying, rappelling, crevasse rescue and safety. Although the course is demanding, the rewards are great. The acquisition of these skills opens the door to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment. Course graduates are eligible to participate in Basic Climbs, Club Climbs, the Intermediate Climbing Course, and other advanced climbing seminars periodically offered by the Everett branch. Schedule: Jan 22 Climb Code, Equipment & Clothing; Jan 29 Knots & Prusiks; Feb 02 CONDITIONER FIELD TRIP; Feb 12 Rock Anchors & Belay; Feb 19 Fundamentals Practice; Feb 23 FUNDAMENTALS FIELD TRIP; Mar 05 Rappelling & ETO; Mar 12 Rock Climbing & Following on Rock; Mar 16 ROCK 1 FIELD TRIP; Apr 02 Midterm Exam; Apr 09 Skills Enhancement; Apr 13&14 ROCK 2 FIELD TRIP; Apr 23 Avalanche Awareness & Snow Camping; Apr 27&28 SNOW 1 FIELD TRIP; May 07 Packing wisely & Handling Emergencies; May 21 Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue; Jun 01&02 SNOW 2 FIELD TRIP; Jun 04 Final Exam; Jun 11 Potluck