Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle - 2019

Climbing Course

Basic Alpine Climbing Course

Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle 2019

Follow this link to register for the Climbers' Reunion!

Registration Timeframes: 
Applications accepted : Oct 1st - Oct 7th (non-members can apply)
Application results published : October 21st
Successful applicants register : October 22nd - October 31st
Cancellation: Refund minus $10 by Dec 7th. No refunds after this.

The course is often oversubscribed (>300 applicants for 120 seats). Students are selected from the applicant pool via a lottery, after screening for a basic level of outdoor experience. 

The Basic Alpine Climbing Course is a year-long program preparing students to be solid and competent climbers reaching rock and glacier summits of the Pacific Northwest. The course format is a combination of class lectures, in-town field trips, small group instruction at local crags and alpine climbs in the mountains during the summer. The course includes 5 lectures and 7 field trips plus readings.

After the "in town" training, students start going on climbs, always with carefully selected, experienced leaders. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required.

Skills taught include belaying, rappelling, rope handling, 5th class rock climbing, snow climbing, glacier travel, back-country camping including on snow, guidance on gear purchases and conditioning, and more - lots more.

The course is a significant time commitment and also requires the purchase of several hundred dollars of clothing and equipment, especially for those who do not already have hiking or backpacking gear. Even those who have some equipment already can expect to spend at least $500 on gear, and the course fee is $650.

Not all things need to be purchased right away, however, and some things can be rented from local mountain shops or borrowed from friends. But be aware our course requires an investment of both time and money. Some things to keep in mind: This is not rock climbing at the crags, it's summit-oriented alpine climbing in the mountains on rock, snow and glaciers. 

Alpine climbing with The Mountaineers is an awesome opportunity to confidently and competently visit places where few can go; to experience levels of instant trust, bonding, and community not commonly experienced in everyday life, all while pushing your physical limits and achieving personal goals. Welcome to your new adventures. We look forward to sharing them with you.

Some alternate options to the Basic Alpine Climbing Course with the Seattle Mountaineers include -

1) The club has individual modules (rock, alpine rock, glacier and alpine skills). This allows you to take the equivalent of the basic class at your own pace (and test out of skills you already possess).

2) Explore classes with other branches of the Mountaineers. Everett and Tacoma are nearby and have great climbing programs too!

3) The Alpine Scrambling class offers a great bridge between hiking and technical mountaineering to take adventurous off-trail routes to summits in the Cascades and the Olympics. Students with scrambling experience are preferred when applying for the Basic Alpine Course.

4) If you are already a graduate of the Alpine Scrambling class, there is a Glacier Travel Class. This covers the glacier skills from the Basic Alpine Climbing Class – bringing within reach mountains like Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. Glacier grads can join the Basic Alpine Climbing class for a reduced fee – and get some credit towards the classes and climbs required.

5) Seattle Mountaineers also conducts an Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course. It compresses the Basic Alpine Climbing Class into ~9 continuous and full days – intense!

6) If you are already an experienced climber with material experience on basic rock and glaciers climbs, you can apply for Basic Equivalency and participate in club activities that require graduation from the basic climbing class.

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

Gear

If you have little or no climbing experience, it might be better NOT to purchase any technical climbing equipment until after the first lecture.  This includes boots.

Gear Matrix

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (X),
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (O)

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

9/16" or 1" tubular nylon webbing as follows:

Gloves (wool/synthetic)

X

X

  • Two Tied runners,
  • 5 ft each, color A

X

X

Second pair gloves/mittens(T)

O

  • Two tied runners,
  • 9 ft each, color B

X

X

Mitten shells (overmitts)

O

X

  • Chest harness: One 8 ft, color C

X

X

Day pack (frameless or rucksack)(4)

X

O

  • One nylon 120 cm sewn runner
  • One nylon 60 cm sewn runner

X

 X

 

 

 

5mm or 6mm perlon as follows:

Overnight pack (internal or external) (3)

Note 5

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color D

X

X

Compass(T)

X

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color E

X

X

Map of climbing destination(T)

X

X

  • Tie-off (hero) loop 4 ft, color E

X

X

Sunglasses/eye protection(T)

X

Commercial seat harness

X

X

Glacier glasses w/side shields(T)

X

Leather belay gloves

X

X

Sunscreen(T)

X

X

Climbing helmet

X

X

Lip balm w/sun protection(T)

X

X

Six non locking carabiners 

X

X

Insulating sit-pad

O

O

Three locking carabiners

X

X

Headlamp (T)

X

X

Munter Hitch locking carabiner (1)

X

X

Extra batteries (and bulb if not LED)(T)

X

X

Rescue pulley (SMC "CR" or Petzl Mini)

X

First Aid Kit(T)

X

X

Ice Ax

X

Waterproof matches or lighter(T)

X

X

Front-point crampons

X

Fire starter(T)

X

X

Chock Pick

X

Knife(T)

X

X

Belay Device

X

X

Food

X

X

Insulating hat (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Extra food(T)

X

X

Sun hat or bandanna

X

X

Water bladder/bottle (wide mouth) (T)

X

X

Underwear (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Second water container(T)

X

X

Thermal base layer--pants and LS shirt (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Water filter or purification method  (one per 2-3 climbers)(T)

Note 5

X

Shirt/Sweater, SL and LS (wool/synth)

X

X

Emergency shelter(T)

X

X

Insulated jacket (puffy)

X

X

Paper and pencil (or waterproof pen)

X

X

Wind shell jacket (2)

O

O

Toilet kit

X

X

Rain shell jacket

X

X

Sleeping bag

Note 4

X

Pants (wool/synthetic)

X

X

Insulating pad

Note 4

X

Second pair pants (wool/synthetic)

O

O

Tent (can be shared) or bivy bag

Note 4

X

Rain pants

X

X

Stove and fuel (one per two climbers)

Note 4

X

Gaiters 

X

Pot (one per stove)

Note 4

X

Boot Socks (wool/synthetic) 2 pair

X

X

Bowl and/or cup

Note 4

X

Liner socks(T) 2 pair

O

O

Spoon

Note 4

X

Mountaineering boots

X

X

Ear Plugs/ Eye cover

Note 4

O

GEAR MATRIX NOTES:
  1. The Munter Hitch requires an oversize pear-shaped HMS locking carabiner.

  2. Lightweight windshells are great layers for many conditions when a rain shell is not necessary. ie serious rain.

  3. Instead of two separate packs, a large internal frame pack that can be compressed for day climbs may be used.

  4. You will need overnight gear on some rock, alpine and glacier climbs.

  5. It may be necessary to filter or purify water on long day trips.

T: Ten Essentials items
All personal equipment should be marked with the owner's name or initials in a prominent location to make identification easy in the event of loss, theft or when commingled with other people's equipment. Carabiners and similar articles should be marked with paint, enamel, nail polish, or electrical tape in a distinctive color or pattern.
Course Materials
Name/Description
2024 Basic Alpine Climbing Handbook.pdf

Basic FT CURRICULUM 2023

All about the Field trips

Crevasse rescue 2021

Illustrated crevasse rescue, v 2021

2021 SIG Rock FT Guide.pdf

Guidance for SIG Rock Field Trip

2021 SIG Snow FT Guide.pdf

Guidance for SIG Snow Field Trip

Reporting an Overdue Climber

What is an overdue climber, and what should family/friends do if you do not return on scheduled day.

Basic Climbs Guide

A description of climbs eligible for graduation credit. 2010 is the most recent version.

Basic Alpine Course Graduation Application

On-line graduation application form. Please do not submit an application before you complete all requirements UNLESS you can not complete them before October 15 (and want 2nd year status). Use this form to apply for extensions or for a conditional graduation request.

FAQs

Your survival guide to Basic Alpine Climbing

Lectures

Slides for lectures

How to navigate our Mountaineers' website

Ever wondered how to navigate our Home Page, How to set up alerts and notifications on your profile for new courses, activities, seminars, and/or clinics OR Finding Courses (First Aid, Navigation shown) OR Finding Stewardship and Climbing Conditioner activities OR Finding Basic Climbs. Also includes navigating Trip Page, route description and trip reports. DO NOT FORGET TO USE CHAPTERS IN THIS VIDEO TO TAKE YOU TO DESIRED TOPIC OF YOUR INTEREST.