Basic Climbing Course

APPLICATIONS:

Applications period for the course is October 1 - October 13. The applicants will be notified about results no earlier than November 5.

Application Link: HERE!

Is this Course Right for me?

This is a demanding course and the expectation is that you are in good cardiovascular shape, have backpacking experience, comfortable in off-trail situations, and have climbing experience (indoor gym climbing okay). We highly recommend taking the scrambling course to gain more off trail scrambling experience prior to applying for Basic Climbing if the prior statement does not apply to you.

Registration Time Frame: 

1. Applications accepted: October 1 - October 15 2025
2. Successful applicants register : You will be notified of application status after November 8th. You will have 5 days to complete the registration process or you may lose your spot in the class. 
3. Cancellation : Refund minus $10 by December 31, 2025. No refunds after Jan 1, 2026.

COURSE OVERVIEW: 

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. Everett offers an intimate learning experience with a high instructor to student ratio. This is perhaps the best reason to select this course.

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 Courses, and other advanced climbing seminars periodically offered by the Everett branch. 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND COMMITMENT:

Class starts in January with our first field trip shortly afterwards. We want to communicate to all applying students the requirement to attend all course events in advance of potential acceptance to the class. Keep this in mind as you complete the application. As instructors, we want ensure that you have the best experience possible where you can learn to climb safely. A big part of accomplishing that goal is your participation and your commitment to the class, your fellow students and the instructors.

This course requires a commitment to the following:

1. 7 lectures (in-person and remote). Evening lectures generally run from 6:30-8:30 pm.
2. 6 field trips; 3 of which are overnight, weekend field trips.
3. Many extra hours of reading, study and practice.
4. Participation in 5 practice sessions with your fellow students and instructors.
5. Passing a mid-term and final exam that includes written and practical elements.
6. Successful completion of 3 experience climbs.
7. Purchase of climbing gear and possibly basic hiking & backpacking gear.
8. Completion of 1 official conditioning hike.
9. A strong level of fitness that will allow you to safely and effectively participate in the field trips and experience climbs. A personal commitment to a regular & disciplined training program to ensure the necessary fitness level.
10. Day of Trail Service (full day stewardship)
11. Navigation course (full day course)
12. Wilderness First Aid & Scenarios (2 ½ day course)

If you take the above items and lay them out in a calendar, you’ll quickly see that completing this class is a serious endeavor (both time and money). Successful completion requires many hours of your time. 

We also ask that you begin (or continue) a consistent fitness regimen. This will help ensure you’re in the physical condition needed to fully participate in the field trips and climbs. During the course, you’ll be expected to hike uphill for 10 to 12 hours over two consecutive days while carrying a 45+ lb overnight pack.

At the time of application, you should already be capable of hiking 4 miles with 3,000 feet of elevation gain, carrying a 30 lb pack, within 2.5 hours. The Old Trail on Mt. Si is a good benchmark for this level of fitness. Being at this baseline will provide a solid foundation for the physical demands of the course.

If you have questions about the class and the necessary commitment we’re happy to talk and answer all your questions.

Please do not sign up for the course unless you can attend ALL field trips,  ALL lectures, and ALL practice sessions.          

DIVERSITY: 

The Everett Climbing Committee is committed to building and fostering a representative climbing community that reflects the spaces in which we live and recreate. We recognize that outdoor recreation has historically excluded communities of color, women, and LGBTQ people. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other underrepresented communities. 

Scholarships: 

We don't want the course fees to be a barrier to entry or participation. If they are, we would encourage you to apply for a scholarship. Scholarship information is kept strictly private and is not shared with course leads or instructors. 

Apply for a scholarship at the time of submitting your application (now), as it takes time to process.   

Course Schedule:

See course activities below for dates and more details of all required activities.