
Climbing Course
Basic Alpine Climbing Course
The Olympia Basic Climbing Course is a combination of classroom lectures, field instruction and climbing experiences with an emphasis on active, hands-on learning to achieve the goal of teaching students to safely climb rock, snow and the glaciated peaks of the Pacific Northwest.
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers course.
- Sat, Jan 21, 2023 - Sat, Sep 30, 2023
- Committee: Olympia Basic Alpine Climbing
- Members: $550.00 Guests: $780.00
- Availability: 24 (24 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
APPLICATION PERIOD
Applications accepted October 13 through October 31. Final results and offers will occur in the first week of November. Do not self-register - you will be removed from the course. The course application will be available October 13.
REFUNDS
If you cancel the course within these timelines:
- November 1 through December 31 - refund minus $10
- January 1 through January 15 - 50% refund
- After January 15 - no refunds
COURSE INFORMATION
Course lectures and field trips begin in February, and are completed in June, consisting of seven lectures, seven field trips and additional optional climbing events. Topics covered include equipment/gear, backcountry travel and camping, snow camping, glacier travel, belaying, rappelling, rock climbing, crevasse rescue, and more. Previous experience in off-trail hiking and camping is helpful.
Graduates must attend all lectures and field trips, pass the final exam, successfully complete physical conditioning requirements, three experience climbs, the Mountain Oriented First Aid course or Wilderness First Aid, Navigation course, and a stewardship project. There is a separate course fee for both FA and Navigation. While Climbing Conditioners are listed as "optional" in the course requirements, all students are required to pick at least one Climbing Conditioner (more conditioners are recommended). Please take this into account when determining your schedule availability before applying for acceptance into the course. Additionally, students must purchase a copy of “Freedom of the Hills, 9th Edition”.
In addition to having a desire to learn technical rock and mountaineering skills, successful graduates possess solid overall physical conditioning, good cardiovascular strength, and psychological commitment. The course is challenging; however, the payoff will be opportunities to connect with lifelong climbing partners and friends as well as life-changing outdoor experiences, while learning the skills that can be used to safely travel in the wild for a lifetime.
The course runs for one season beginning with the first lecture in February and ending September 30, and participants must complete the lectures and field trips the first year. If a student is unable to complete course co-requisites in one year, they may apply for second-year student status, which may incur an additional registration charge.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Wilderness Skills is a recommended course prior to Basic Climbing. Wilderness Skills teaches the basics of traveling in the outdoors and how to prepare for multiple situations. Basic Climbing students interested in taking Wilderness Skills should reach out to the Basic Climbing course leader for a discount on registration costs.
Basic Climbing students are urged to consider taking the Alpine Scrambling course prior to Basic Climbing. Completion of scrambling allows the student to learn a portion of the skills that will be taught in Basic Climbing, have completed the co-requisite classes and activities, as well as provide even more opportunities to meet like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about Basic Climbing, potential students are encouraged to attend the Olympia Branch open house, held in early January each year at St. Martin’s University in the Worthington Center. In the meantime, direct climbing course questions to the Basic Climbing course leader.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
Climbing Conditioner (optional) | |||
Mount Si Old Trail |
Sat, Jan 21, 2023
Registration closes Jan 19
|
10
participants
|
|
Mount Rose |
Sat, Jan 28, 2023
Registration opens Nov 1; Instructor registration open now
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Dog Mountain Loop (Columbia River) |
Sat, Feb 4, 2023
Registration closes Feb 2
|
7
participants
|
|
Mount Rose |
Sat, Feb 18, 2023
Registration closes Feb 16
|
11
participants
|
|
Copper Creek |
Sat, Mar 11, 2023
Registration closes Mar 9
|
11
participants
|
|
Mount Rose |
Sat, Mar 11, 2023
Registration opens Feb 1; Instructor registration open now
|
5
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Mount Rose |
Sat, Mar 25, 2023
Registration closes Mar 23
|
11
participants
|
|
Mount Si |
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
Registration closes Mar 30
|
6
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Mount Teneriffe |
Sat, Apr 8, 2023
Registration closes Apr 6
|
11
participants
|
|
Basic Climbing Pre-course Workshop (optional) | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Jan 24, 2023
Registration closes Jan 22
|
24
participants
21 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #1: Intro and Basic Skills | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Feb 7, 2023
Registration closes Feb 5
|
24
participants
10 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #1: Basic Skills | |||
Michael T. Simmons Elementary School |
Sat, Feb 11, 2023
Registration closes Feb 9
|
24
participants
17 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #2: Basic Skills | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Feb 21, 2023
Registration closes Feb 19
|
24
participants
22 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #2: Belay Practice | |||
Squaxin Park |
Sat, Mar 4, 2023
Registration closes Mar 2
|
24
participants
17 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #3: Mountain Hazards | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Mar 7, 2023
Registration closes Mar 5
|
24
participants
23 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #3: Snow Travel | |||
Paradise |
Sat, Mar 18, 2023
Registration closes Mar 16
|
24
participants
10 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #4: Risk Management | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Mar 28, 2023
Registration closes Mar 26
|
24
participants
22 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #4: Snow Weekend | |||
Paradise |
Sat, Apr 15, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 16, 2023 Registration closes Apr 13
|
24
participants
12 instructors
|
|
Paradise |
Sat, Apr 22, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 23, 2023 Registration closes Apr 20
|
24
participants
12 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #5: Intro to Rock Climbing | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Apr 25, 2023
Registration closes Apr 23
|
24
participants
22 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #5: Rock Fundamentals | |||
SPIRE Rock |
Sat, Apr 29, 2023
Registration closes Apr 27
|
24
participants
11 instructors
|
|
SPIRE Rock |
Sun, Apr 30, 2023
Registration opens Oct 31; Instructor registration open now
|
24
participants
22 instructors
|
|
BC Activity: Rock Gym Climbing Night (optional) | |||
Cirque Climbing Gym |
Sun, May 7, 2023
Registration closes May 5
|
24
participants
10 instructors
|
|
BC Activity: Rock Climbing Practice (optional) | |||
SPIRE Rock |
Sat, May 13, 2023
Registration closes May 11
|
24
participants
15 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #6: Rock Weekend | |||
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, May 20, 2023
Registration closes May 18
|
24
participants
9 instructors
|
|
BC Lecture #7: Crevasse Rescue Practice | |||
Burfoot Park |
Tue, May 23, 2023
Registration closes May 21
|
24
participants
23 instructors
|
|
BC Field Trip #7: Crevasse Rescue | |||
Paradise |
Sat, Jun 3, 2023
Registration closes Jun 1
|
24
participants
10 instructors
|
|
BC Final Written Exam | |||
Lacey Community Center |
Tue, Jun 6, 2023
Registration closes Jun 4
|
24
participants
5 instructors
|
Additional badges needed to graduate
Completed
You must register for this course to see course materials.