Foothills Intermediate Alpine Climbing
The Foothills Intermediate Alpine Climbing modules teaches intermediate climbing techniques and mountaineering skills, including trad rock climbing, intermediate glacier travel, Alpine Ice, and Rescue Skills.
Each module is demanding, but the rewards are great. These skills open the door to a lifetime of outdoor enjoyment. Course graduates are eligible to participate in Intermediate Climbs, Club Climbs, Cragging Trips, and other advanced climbing seminars periodically offered by the Foothills branch. Additionally, those that complete Trad Rock and Intermediate Glacier Travel can rope lead on Basic Climbs with the Mountaineers
ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION
The Modules are open to any Mountaineers member at least 18 years old. Foothills Climbing strives to present a program that is welcoming and inclusive to people from diverse backgrounds, experience levels, and fitness levels, however, we have a limited capacity for our modules and will give preference to Foothills members and those who volunteer their time as Assistant Instructors, Instructors, or Leads with Foothills activities. Some courses may be taken out of sequence but this is up to the discretion of the course coordinator. Selection of applicants will be at the discretion of the climbing committee.
Mountaineers membership is required for enrollment.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Mountaineers is committed to making our courses accessible to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Our courses are priced to cover our costs, but we know that costs add up quickly, especially when students also need to purchase gear. We encourage students to apply for our scholarship program, which is funded by generous donors to make courses more accessible. Applications may take up to 2 weeks to process and Financial Assistance can not by applied to courses or activities already registered for. You can learn more about and apply for a scholarship, and read about the new Liesl Waldhausen Basic Alpine Climbing Scholarship.
Read about Skye's experience with scholarships through the Mountaineers here!
PREREQUISITES
Applicants must be graduates of a Basic Alpine Climbing Course, Basic Glacier Travel (for Winter Mountaineering & Advanced Crevasse Rescue), or Basic Equivalency.
Because of our small course sizes and limited permit availability, preference will be given to those that have volunteered with the Mountaineers (especially the Foothills Branch) and have graduated from the Foothills Basic Alpine Climbing Course.
Those that have experience leading on alpine rock or glacier may want to apply for Intermediate Climbing Equivalency through the Everett, Seattle, or Tacoma Branches. Foothills does not currently have an Intermediate Equivalency program.
INTERMEDIATE CLIMBING COURSE Flow
Applications will be accepted in October, with results and registration announced in November. In the first year, students will only be able to take Leading on Trad (LOT) or Winter Mountaineering and Advanced Crevasse Rescue (WCR) - you will not be allowed to take both through Foothills due to the sizeable course content, climb requirements, and volunteer requirements.
INTERMEDIATE CLIMBING COURSE SCHEDULE
The schedule for our courses is subject to change but usually follows the chronology below. You can search for our courses using the "LEARN" tab above, and searching for courses offered by Foothills.
- January-June: Winter Mountaineering & Advanced Crevasse Rescue
- February-May: Leading on Trad
- August - September: Alpine Ice
- January: Basic Climbing Course Instructor Review
Intermediate Climbing Modules
Leading on trad
The Leading on Trad Rock modules teach techniques that will enable you to lead climb safely at most of the rock climbing areas around the United States. A solid foundation in anchor system fundamentals will be covered. You will learn about technical rock climbing equipment including rock shoes, ropes, harnesses, and natural and artificial protection. The techniques you will learn include gear anchors, climbing on rock, leading, multi-pitch transitions, and rappelling. Additionally, students will learn skills to rescue your follower and your leader, including rope ascension, counter balance rappels, and tandem rappels.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Leading on Trad prepares students to safely lead alpine trad routes.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
- place effective rock protection
- build rock anchors
- swap leads mid-pitch in a hanging belay
- swap leads on multi-pitch routes
Prerequisites
- Basic Alpine Climbing Course or Equivalency
- Comfortably lead outdoor bolted routes, minimum YDS grade of 5.8
Winter Mountaineering and Advanced Crevasse Rescue
The Winter Mountaineering and Advanced Crevasse Rescue module will introduce you to steeper snow and glacier routes, and provide the skills for planning and executing an intermediate-level glacier climb. In addition, the course covers the basics of small party (two-person rope team) self-rescue on glacier climbs as well as how to rescue other rope teams.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
WCR prepares students to plan and execute an intermediate-level glacier climb.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
- apply the AIARE decision making framework
- considerations for winter mountaineering
- move efficiently and confidently on moderate to steep snow
- build snow anchors
- perform rescues of other rope teams
- perform 2-person crevasse rescue
- plan and execute an intermediate glacier climb
PREREQUISITES
- Basic Alpine Climbing Course or Basic Glacier Travel or Equivalency
Corequisites
- Completion of AIARE 1 Recreational
ALPINE ICE
The Alpine Ice module will introduce you to ice climbing. This module provides a structured learning environment to apply lead skills and anchor fundamentals to varied alpine terrain where steep snow and ice may be the obstacle. This module and the required ice climbs will provide the foundation and confidence to climb intermediate alpine ice routes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Alpine Ice prepares students to travel safely on moderate to steep alpine ice.
COURSE OUTCOMES
- evaluate ice conditions
- move efficiently and confidently
- place effective protection
- build ice anchors
- strategize and adapt leading safely based on terrain
PREREQUISITES
- Completion of Intermediate Glacier Travel
- Completion of Leading on Trad or Sport Climbing
NOTE: Due to the course size and limited permit availability of the Baker-Coleman Seracs, preference will be given to those that have volunteered with the Foothills Climbing Courses.
Mixed Climbing
The Mixed Climbing module provides a structured learning environment to apply lead skills and anchor fundamentals to varied alpine terrain where rock and ice may be the obstacle. This module will provide the foundation and confidence to climb intermediate alpine mixed routes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Mixed Climbing prepares students to travel safely on steep mixed conditions.
COURSE OUTCOMES
- move efficiently and confidently
- place effective protection
- utilize pitons ice anchors
- strategize and adapt leading safely based on terrain
PREREQUISITES
- Completion of Alpine Ice
- Completion of Leading on Trad