Alpine Climbing Courses
Basic Alpine Climbing Course
The Basic Alpine Climbing Course consists of classroom and field instruction designed to teach new climbers the skills required to safely climb most rock, snow, and glaciated mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Skills taught include belaying, rappelling, rope handling, 5th class rock climbing (requires the use of a rope), snow climbing, glacier travel, backcountry camping (including on snow), guidance on gear purchases and conditioning, and more - lots more.
Course graduates are eligible to participate in basic club climbs, alpine scrambles, winter snowshoe trips, the intermediate climbing course, the crag climbing course, specialty climbing seminars, and many other activities offered by The Mountaineers.
In addition to the class itself, students must take a first aid and a navigation course given through The Mountaineers, and must complete a stewardship activity, typically a day of trail maintenance.
Please note that due to the larger class size, Seattle also assigns students to Small Instructional Group (SIG) of approximately ten students and one leader, who will conduct two of the field trips and hold additional learning and practice sessions.
TYPICALLY OFFERED
Six branches of The Mountaineers offer the comprehensive Basic Alpine climbing Course. The course curriculum includes both evening lectures and all day field trips and a minimum of three basic experience climbs. Lectures and field trips run from January or February to early June, with climbs scheduled from May into October.
Additionally the Seattle branch offers an intensive version of the course in June which combines the many field trips and lectures into 9 full days of instruction. Please note since this is a shortened duration course there is an expectation of higher level fitness rather than the regular course listing which is designed to help you build fitness as you go.
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Glacier Travel Course
The course is designed for those with some previous climbing and scrambling experience who want to learn the basics of safe glacier travel on snow-covered routes. You'll learn about ice axe use, roped glacier travel, crevasse rescue techniques, and gear selection appropriate for spring/summer glaciated peak climbs in the Pacific Northwest
This course does NOT cover glacier ice climbing techniques.
Upon completion of the course, you will be qualified to go on glacier climbs where no rock or ice climbing skills are needed to reach the summit. Available climbs include Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Ruth Mountain and Icy Peak, and Glacier Peak.
TYPICALLY OFFERED
In March by our Seattle branch with registration opening in November.
BADGES YOU CAN EARN
Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course
The Mountaineers' Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course presents the techniques necessary to lead climb on the rock, snow, and ice typically found in the Cascade and Olympic mountains of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to climbing techniques, the course emphasizes leadership, safety, and climbing instruction. Course graduates will have the knowledge and skills to organize and lead basic-level climbs and to participate in intermediate-level alpine, rock, and ice climbs. Many intermediate students go on to successfully become climb leaders.
The goals for graduates are to have the skills to:
- Swing leads and descend safely on multi-pitch alpine rock on routes rated at least Grade II, 5.5
- Swing leads and descend ice and hard snow safely on alpine routes that are rated at least Grade II and 45 degrees
- Apply rope rescue techniques to safely raise or lower an injured climber with a team of 4-6 people
- Swing leads on a basic climb in winter conditions including evaluation of avalanche hazard,
- Organize and lead basic level climbs
- Instruct students in the basic crag and alpine climbing course curriculum
Prerequisites
- Completion of the Mountaineers' Basic Alpine Climbing Course or Basic Equivalency
- Membership in The Mountaineers
- Wilderness First Aid or equivalent
- Scrambling and climbing experience at the basic level
TYPICALLY OFFERED
Students take 1-5 years to complete the intermediate climbing program. Registration generally is in the fall. Intermediate Alpine Climbing is offered through Everett, Tacoma and Seattle branches.
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