Seattle Climbing Committee

•  Climbing Committee Chair
•  Basic Courses Subcommittee
•  Intermediate Courses Subcommittee
• Basic Equivalency Coordinator
• Trad Equivalency Coordinator
• Leader Progression / Leadership Subcommittee
  • Rock Climb Rope Leader Badge (only for those taking courses offered by us; others go to LEAD to find more details on how to submit your application)
• Committee's Gear Manager (manages ropes, anchors, and other equipment stored at the program center)
  
  • Alpine and Glacier ropes are managed by this spreadsheet (also a QR code is provided on storage cages to access this spreadsheet). Instructions are on the Info tab, for cage codes, contact the Gear Manager or the Climbing Committee Chair.

jump to section:

• COURSES WE OFFER

• CLIMBING TRIPS & TRIP REPORTS 

• TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

• ACTIVITY LEADERSHIP 

• JOIN COMMITTEE MEETINGS 

• DISCORD FORUM 

• PEAK PINS & CLIMBING WALL INFO

learn

To learn more about the courses, click the link below to read the description of the courses and know their expectations and  whether it is a right fit for you.
LINK TO COURSES OFFERED BY SCC - THIS YEARLINK TO COURSES OFFERED BY SCC - LAST YEAR

TIMELINE OF OUR COURSES/CLINICS:

Click on the image for better view.

sport climbing series:

• Intro to Rock
• Introduction to Leading Bolted Routes

BASIC alpine CLIMBING SERIES (learning to follow on alpine climbs):

• Scrambling (offered by the Scrambling Committee)
• Basic Alpine Climbing
  This course typically runs from December through May, before climbing trips June through September.
  If this course is a huge commitment, consider this compressed course. Also, this course can be taken one module at a time:
  • Intensive Basic [Compressed Course]
  • Glacier Travel [Module] (has prerequisites)
  • Following Alpine Rock [Module] (has prerequisites)
• Basic Climbing Equivalency
  Experienced climbers who haven't taken the Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course can obtain Basic Equivalency to participate in club activities, including Basic Climbs, Climbing Seminars, the Intermediate Climbing Course, and Alpine Scrambles. Please follow the link to learn more about the equivalency procedure.

[go to top]

INTERMEDIATE COURSE (learning to lead alpine climbs):

• Intermediate Alpine Climbing
  • Winter Mountaineering & advanced Crevasse Rescue
  • Single Pitch Trad
  • Multi Pitch Trad
  • Self Rescue I
  • Self Rescue II 
  • Alpine Ice

gain advanced skills: 

• Water Ice
  • Top Rope Water Ice Climbing
  • Leading on Water Ice 
• Aid & Big Walls 
• Advanced Alpine Rock 
• Expedition Planning - Denali (not offered every year)

Occasionally, we also offer clinics on advanced skills such as but not limited to moving efficiently on 4th and 5th class terrain, getting comfortable with assisted belay devices, rope soloing, off-width crack climbing, and managing 3-person rope teams on rock.

ADVANCED CLINICS

[go to top]

REFRESHER CLINICS:

• Basic Refreshers
  • Crevasse Rescue
  • Alpine Rock Climbing Skills
• Self-Rescue Refresher
• Instructor Review Sessions (all of our basic and intermediate courses run these instructor review sessions, which can also be used to refresh your skills)

REFRESHER CLINICSINSTRUCTOR REVIEW SESSIONS

FRICTION  CLIMBING / MOVEMENT ON ROCK CLINICS:

CLINICS FOR IMPROVING MOVEMENT ON ROCK

[go to top]

CLIMB

TRIP REGISTRATION - Participant Best PracticesTrip Listing - Leader Best Practices

• CLIMBING CONDITIONERS

• INDOOR GYM CLIMBING SOCIALS

• OUTDOOR CRAG CLIMBS

• BASIC GLACIER CLIMBS (ALL) | NO PRIORITY REGISTRATION GLACIER CLIMBS (SCC SPONSORED)

• BASIC ROCK Climbs (All) | NO PRIORITY REGISTRATION Rock CLIMBS (SCC SPONSORED)

• BASIC ALPINE CLIMBS

• INTERMEDIATE ALPINE CLIMBS

In our ongoing effort to enhance the experience for our Basic students, we have developed this dashboard. This tool will be utilized during the summer of 2025 to conduct a thorough analysis that we are hopeful to help us guide in creating better structure for the upcoming years.

[go to top]

TEACH

For provide safe learning environment, review our new instructor guidelines.
instructor / leader guidelines

Instruct at our field trips once you have mastered the skills. There are instructor courses and clinics to help you prepare. Then, maybe lead some field trips?
Instructor  Opportunities

[go to top]

Become a climb leader, introducing others to places off the beaten path. Mentoring programs ensure you are ready to lead climbing parties safely. 

Take a look at the climbing leadership structure to see what type of leader you want to be. Read the Mountaineers climbing code.

Ready to apply for leadership?

Apply Now

Be sure you have reviewed the leadership structure and have met all requirements. Most leadership types require a mentored lead.

If you are looking for a climb leader for a mentored lead outing? Here's how to connect:

• Attend socials or field trips to meet leaders. Find someone whose style matches your goals and connect with them.
• Already have a mentor in mind? Say hello and ask if they're planning any trips where you could help with logistics in exchange for mentorship.
• Check out this Mentee and Mentor list to connect with each other. 
  Mentee/Mentor Matching Sheet & Form
• You can also reach out to the climbing committee leadership team and committee chair

Additionally, note that we are working towards making these steps more efficient for you. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and feedback.

Leader Information - click here for information about the process for becoming a new leader, find leader applications and other useful resources.

[go to top]

Our climbing programs depend on course students and graduates to continue and improve the  programs. Climbers of all abilities and talents are welcome to join the Climbing Committee. Help plan, organize, and run the courses and activities. YOU are invited!

RSVP TO UPCOMING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Seattle Climbing Committee meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm from September through June at the Seattle Program Center. We take the summer off to climb.  Find out what's going on and what we are planning.  Open to everyone with dinner provided!

[go to top]

Seattle Climbing uses Discord to help our members and volunteers connect with each other. These informal online forums are usually connected with courses and programs we host but are supplemental for social events and arranging non-official climbs. If you are a student or graduate from a Seattle Climbing program and want to be added to a Discord channel please reach out to your course leader or our climbing chair

OTHER TOPICS

• About our Climbing Walls
• Document your accomplishments with Peak Pins

[go to top]