Advanced Climbing Courses
Advanced Alpine Rock Climbing
This course teaches advanced alpine rock skills and techniques to climbers who wish to pursue moderate to hard alpine rock objectives. Learn and apply new skills on artificial walls, then transition to real rock. Objectives include climbs in Leavenworth and Squamish. The course culminates with skills application in a final advanced alpine rock climb on routes on peaks like Slesse, Dragontail, and Stuart. You'll need to be comfortable leading 5.8 or higher trad multipitch climbs and have alpine climbing experience.
typically offered
This course is currently offered by our Seattle branch and the course generally begins in June.
Aid & Big Wall Climbing
Introduction to Aid Climbing Seminar
Want to French Free a few moves climb a free route with a bolt ladder like Monkey Face at Smith Rock? How about the A0 move on Royal Arches in Yosemite? Learn what aid climbing techniques are all about om thiss introduction one-day, in-town session with "chalk talk" and practice sessions on the North Wall and indoor climbing wall of the Mountaineers Program Center. You'll need to have climbing ability equivalent to graduates of Basic, Crag, or Sport Climbing course offered by the Mountaineers and be comfortable leading a bolted route.
Aid & Big Wall Climbing Course
Join a group of climbers that meet regularly in the spring to advance their knowledge and skill of aid and big wall climbing. The first year new members practice techniques required for modern aid climbing, including gear, leading, cleaning, jugging, traverses, pendulums, hauling, training, and swinging leads on moderate (C2) mutipitch climbs. Those continuing in 2+ years focus on improving speed and efficiency, becoming proficient at solo aid, developing "good form," learning basic rescue techniques, wall bivies and solving other "wall problems." You'll spend some time practicing on the Mountaineers North Wall and at Vantage and Index, followed by a week in Yosemite in the fall practicing aid climbing and tackling a big wall.
typically offered
This seminar and course are currently offered by our Seattle branch. The introductory seminars may be offered in fall or spring and the course usually starts in the fall.
badges you can earn
Climbing Self-Rescue
What would happen if your party needed to perform a rescue on high-angle rock or technical ice or on a glacier with the very limited resources available in a typical small climbing party? This advanced-level rescue course will give you tips for traveling safely and teach you how to execute high-angle rock, ice, and glacier rescues in parties of two.
typically offered
This course are currently offered by our Seattle and Everett branches starting in the fall.
badges you can earn
Expedition Planning
Denali Expedition Planning Seminar
Want to climb North America's highest peak? This three-meeting, one field trip seminar will give you the information and special skills you need to plan an expedition to the 20,322-foot Denali (formerly Mount McKinley).
other expedition planning seminars
Our members have climbed peaks all over the world and are happy to share their experiences with you and even help you plan your own expedition. We've had seminars for climbing Aconcaugua, trekking peaks in Nepal, peaks in China, Europe and Russia.
typically offered
The Denali Expedition Planning Seminar is usually offered every other year in odd years by our Seattle branch. You'll find other seminars on our events calendars.
badges you can earn
Waterfall Ice & Mixed Climbing
Explore the world of vertical waterfall ice and mixed climbing. This course will cover movement on ice, anchors, v-threads, and an introduction to dry-tooling with an emphasis on safe practices for the alpine ice, waterfall ice, and mixed environments.
typically offered
This course is currently offered by our Seattle in the fall and winter.
badges you can earn
