Introduction to Alpine Rock - Seattle - 2018

Climbing Course

Following Alpine Rock

Be a safe follower on a basic alpine rock climb.

Learn the fundamentals to follow a leader on a multi-pitch traditional alpine rock climb. 

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2018 COURSE. FILL OUT APPLICATION AT THIS LINK https://goo.gl/forms/940vpyB8u5n4mMlj2. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICATIONS COMPLETED BEFORE JANUARY 5TH. 

If you want to take the course we recommend these other courses/areas  get ahead and to improve your application:

  • -Scramble Course or significant scrambling experience (required)
  • -First Aid Course or getting a WFA through RMI
  • -Navigation Course
  • -Intro to rock climbing through the Mountaineers, or belay course at a local gym. Climbing every now and then at a rock gym also looks good on the application.
Q&A:
Q: I want in the course, what can I do to get in?
A: Scramble course is required to get in or significant similar experience. Beyond that more time in the rock gym/Mountaineers intro to rock course, being a graduate of the glacier course and previous volunteer experience at the Mountaineers will all be looked upon fondly.
Q: This overlaps with the Glacier course?
A: If you plan on taking both modules in the same year what course you're actually looking to take is the Basic Climbing Course.
Q: What does this course enable me to do?
A: This course enables you to get on basic rock climbs in the Mountaineers that do not involve glaciers (if you took the glacier course then this doesn't matter).

Leader permission and applications are REQUIRED before signing up


 

This course will cover follower multi pitch climbing skills, belay escape techniques, rappelling, and gear selection that is appropriate for spring/summer alpine rock peak climbs in the Pacific NW. This course will cover skills required to be a member for a basic rock climb.

The schedule of the course will include four nights at the Seattle Program Center, one full day at the center, and one day climbing outside. Beyond that they will sign up for climbs through the Mountaineers.

  • Nights @ Program Center 6-9pm: March 6th, March 13th, March 20th, and April 3rd
  • Full day at Program Center 8-4pm: March 31st
  • Full day outside will be at Mt. Erie 8-4pm: April 7th

This course does not cover glacier climbing skills or rock climbing rope leader skills.

 Questions? email: zhulays@gmail.com

 

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

Gear, this is taken from the Basic course. For our purposes we will only care about the Rock gear.

Any questions please email the course leader. 

If you have little or no climbing experience, it might be better NOT to purchase any technical climbing equipment until after the first lecture.  This includes boots.

 

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

0

 

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. ie serious rain.

  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

You must register for this course to see course materials.