Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course   - Seattle - 2016

Climbing Course

Intensive Basic Alpine Climbing Course

Learn to become a competent climbing partner on technical rock, snow, and glacier climbs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond in this compressed, 9 day course.

Please review the SPECIFIC PARAGRAPH for Intense Basic Alpine Climbing  in  cancellation policy before registering.

UPDATE.  As of March 1, 2016, we are no longer accepting applications for the Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course. We will notify applicants of their acceptance into the course on Monday, March 8, 2016. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR THE COURSE UNTIL YOU RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED.

The Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course compresses the regular BACC (6 months of 5 lectures and 8 days of 7 field trips) into 9 continuous and full days. It is a comprehensive and thorough program in training to become a competent climbing partner on technical rock, snow, and glacier climbs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It also includes 3 or more alpine climbs this summer at no extra cost. Because this is a condensed course, a few suggestions will go a long way to ensure your success in graduating the course. All required reading and quizzes should be completed by the first day of the course. Additionally, Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness Navigation are required in order to graduate from the course. These separate courses are not offered frequently in the summer, so it is best to take them prior to the June 18 course. Preference will be given to applicants who either have already taken these courses, or can show us that they are registered. Finally, students should arrive on June 18 in full physical condition for alpine climbing. This means being able to hike at 2 miles per hour up a peak that gains ~1,000' per mile, for multiple hours. Additional outdoor experience such as scrambling, backpacking, and sport climbing also goes a long way to be successful in this course!

The fee includes the course (not including Navigation and First Aid),

  • a hard cover and eVersion of Freedom of the Hills, 8th ed.,  
  • a copy of the most recent edition of Accidents in North American Mountaineering,

  • transportation to/from Magnuson for all field trips away from the Magnuson Program Center,

  • 2 meals (coffee, breakfast rolls, fruit, pizza, sandwiches), when we are at the Program Center,

  • any permit fees for field trips away from the Magnuson Program Center.  

Other transportation, meals, lodging, gear, incidentals are not included. We would be happy to recommend lodging which would be convenient for public transportation.

Youth pricing of $900 is available upon request for Mountaineers members who are 26 and under. Email basic.intense@gmail.com for more information.

Skills taught include belaying and rope handling, rappelling, 5th class rock climbing, snow/glacier climbing, back-country camping including snow camping, guidance on gear purchases and conditioning, and more. Participants are trained to become solid and competent participants in the realm of alpine climbing on rock and glacier summits in the Pacific Northwest.

The course format will be a combination of class lectures, in-town field trips, small group instruction at local crags and alpine climbs in the mountains during the summer, and graduation/reunion in the fall. The course is a large time commitment and requires the purchase of several hundred dollars of gear, especially if you do not currently own much hiking or backpacking gear. Even so, beyond course fees, you can expect to spend at least $500-$700 in climbing gear. Not all things need to be purchased right away, and some things can be borrowed from friends or rented from local gear shops, but be aware there will be an investment.

Some things to keep in mind: This is not rock climbing at the crags, it's alpine climbing in the mountains on rock and snow. There are no refunds beyond the first day and only partial refunds prior to then. Alpine climbing with The Mountaineers is an awesome opportunity to go to places in the mountains only few ever get to go; to experience instant trust, bonding, and community not readily available in normal day to day life, all while pushing your physical limits and achieving personal goals. We welcome you to your new adventures.

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

IF YOU HAVE LITTLE OR NO CLIMBING EXPERIENCE, IT MIGHT BE BETTER NOT TO PURCHASE ANY TECHNICAL CLIMBING EQUIPMENT UNTIL AFTER THE MEET 'N GREET.  THIS INCLUDES BOOTS. MUCH MORE INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN "INTENSE BASIC STUDENT HANDBOOK - 2016" (PAGES 12-19), ACCESSIBLE THROUGH "COURSE MATERIALS" TAB.

Gear Matrix

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (X),
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (O)

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

9/16” or 1” tubular nylon webbing as follows:

Gloves (wool/synthetic)

X

X

  • Two Tied runners,
  • 5 ft each, color A

X

X

Second pair gloves/mittens(T)

O

  • Two tied runners,
  • 9 ft each, color B

X

X

Mitten shells (overmitts)

O

X

  • Chest harness: One 8 ft, color C 

X

X

Day pack (frameless or rucksack)(4)

X

O

  • One nylon 120 cm sewn runner
  • One nylon 60 cm sewn runner

 X

 X

 

 

 

5mm or 6mm perlon as follows:

Overnight pack (internal or external) (3)

Note 5

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color D

X

X

Compass(T)

X

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color E

X

X

Map of climbing destination(T)

X

X

  • Tie-off (hero) loop 4 ft, color E

X

X

Sunglasses/eye protection(T)

X

Commercial seat harness

X

X

Glacier glasses w/side shields(T)

X

Leather belay gloves

X

X

Sunscreen(T)

X

X

Climbing helmet

X

X

Lip balm w/sun protection(T)

X

X

Six non locking carabiners 

X

X

Insulating sit-pad

O

O

Three locking carabiners

X

X

Headlamp (T)

X

X

Munter Hitch locking carabiner (1)

X

X

Extra batteries (and bulb if not LED)(T)

X

X

Rescue pulley (SMC “CR” or Petzl Mini)

X

First Aid Kit(T)

X

X

Ice Ax

X

Waterproof matches or lighter(T)

X

X

Front-point crampons

X

Fire starter(T)

X

X

Chock Pick

X

Knife(T)

X

X

Belay Device

X

X

Food

X

X

Insulating hat (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Extra food(T)

X

X

Sun hat or bandanna

X

X

Water bladder/bottle (wide mouth) (T)

X

X

Underwear (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Second water container(T)

X

X

Thermal base layer--pants and LS shirt (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Water filter or purification method  (one per 2-3 climbers) (T)

Note 5

X

Shirt/Sweater, SL and LS  (wool/synth)

X

X

Emergency shelter (T)

X

X

Insulated jacket (puffy)

X

X

Paper and pencil (or waterproof pen)

X

X

Wind shell jacket (2)

O

O

Toilet kit

X

X

Rain shell jacket

X

X

Sleeping bag

Note 4

X

Pants (wool/synthetic)

X

X

Insulating pad

Note 4

X

Second pair pants (wool/synthetic)

O

O

Tent (can be shared) or bivy bag

Note 4

X

Rain pants 

X

X

Stove and fuel (one per two climbers)

Note 4

X

Gaiters 

X

Pot (one per stove)

Note 4

X

Boot Socks (wool/synthetic) 2 pair

X

X

Bowl and/or cup

Note 4

X

Liner socks(T)  2 pair

O

O

Spoon

Note 4

X

Mountaineering boots

X

X

Ear Plugs/ Eye cover

Note 4

GEAR MATRIX NOTES:
  1. The Munter Hitch requires an oversize pear-shaped HMS locking carabiner.

  2. Lightweight windshells are great layers for many conditions when a rain shell is not necessary.

  3. Instead of two separate packs, a large internal frame pack that can be compressed for day climbs may be used.

  4. You will need overnight gear on some rock, alpine and glacier climbs.

  5. It may be necessary to filter or purify water on long day trips.

     T:   Ten Essentials items
All personal equipment should be marked with the owner’s name or initials in a prominent location to make identification easy in the event of loss, theft or when commingled with other people’s equipment. Carabiners and similar articles should be marked with paint, enamel, nail polish, or electrical tape in a distinctive color or pattern.
Course Materials
Name/Description
2023 IB Handbook.pdf