Intermediate Climbing Course

The intermediate climbing course provides classroom and field instruction designed to teach the techniques of climbing on rock, hard snow, ice, and mixed alpine terrain. Leadership, volunteerism, and risk mitigation skills are major components of the course. The Olympia Intermediate Climbing course is offered in a module format that includes: instruction on winter mountaineering, including emergency shelter construction, avalanche hazard management, and rescue; leading on rock including placing pro, building  anchors, swinging leads, and self-rescue; hard snow and glacier travel including German and French technique; and vertical ice climbing including the placing of ice screws and swinging leads on 60+ degree ice.

Electronic version of Olympia Intermediate graduation requirements HERE

You must first hold a Basic Climbing graduate badge to apply for this course. Please do not apply if you have not completed ALL of the Basic Climbing badge requirements (this includes any ancillary course/activities needed to finish equivalency).  

Priority will be given to Olympia Branch members.

Please use the APPLY button under 'Application required'. Applications are being accepted through December 20th, with applicants to be notified by the end of December to mid-January. 

Save the date for a mandatory qualifier, tentatively scheduled for February 8, 2026 830am, at the Tumwater Historical Park. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7cPrCufYXuEd8iP49