
Climbing Course
Basic Alpine Climbing Course
Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle - 2023 Please read instructions for applications below.
- Sun, Dec 4, 2022 - Tue, Oct 31, 2023
- Committee: Seattle Climbing
- Members: $975.00 Guests: $1,250.00
- Availability: 1 (81 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Welcome to the Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing course! Our beautiful Pacific NW offers a lot of great alpine places that we want to share with you. Please thoroughly read the text below before applying.
The 2023 course is now full.
Application process and timelines
This course has many more applicants than we can accommodate. Therefore, every applicant is added to a lottery for admission. Please use the link below to submit your application. Timelines for the application process:
- Applications accepted: Oct 3-14 (non-members can apply)
Link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7041696/2023-Seattle-Basic-Alpine-Climbing-Course-Application - Application results published via email: starting Nov 6th
- Successful applicants can register: Nov 7-12
- Further admissions past Nov 13 if spots remain unclaimed.
- Cancellation: course fee minus $10 by Dec 11th.
Course content:
The Basic Alpine Climbing Course is a year-long program that prepares you to be a solid and competent participant at Basic rock and glacier climbs of the Pacific Northwest. You will learn belaying, rappelling, rope handling, low 5th class rock climbing, snow climbing, glacier travel, backcountry camping including on snow; you will get guidance on gear purchases and conditioning, and a lot more. The course is taught in a combination of class lectures, field trips, and small group instruction at the Program center and outdoors. Once you have passed the training, you are qualified to sign up for basic alpine climbs during summer climbing season.
Commitment:
This course is a significant time and financial commitment:
You are expected to join seven field trips and four lectures. It is highly recommended to participate in the Monday evening training events of your small instructional group (SIG). You will also need a base level of fitness that is required to join the climbs. You will also need to complete the Navigation and Wilderness First Aid courses.
Expect to spend $500+ on climbing-specific gear on top of general backpacking equipment. You don’t need your equipment right away, and your instructors can give you guidance.
Read about Cody’s experience with the course.
Scholarships and Financial assistance
The Mountaineers are committed to making our courses accessible to everyone, regardless of your ability to pay. We encourage students who cannot afford this course to apply for our scholarship program, which is funded by generous donors.
Please apply early for a Scholarship. Applications may take up to 2 weeks to process and financial assistance can only be applied before you register for the course.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Skills night (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Feb 6, 2023
Registration closes Feb 6
|
36
participants
23 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Feb 13, 2023
Registration closes Feb 13
|
36
participants
26 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Registration closes Feb 20
|
36
participants
28 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Feb 27, 2023
Registration closes Feb 27
|
30
participants
26 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 6, 2023
Registration closes Mar 6
|
78
participants
38 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 13, 2023
Registration closes Mar 13
|
78
participants
38 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 20, 2023
Registration closes Mar 20
|
77
participants
38 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 27, 2023
Registration closes Mar 27
|
78
participants
38 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Conditioner (optional) | |||
Section Line Trail |
Thu, Feb 16, 2023
Registration closes Feb 14
|
1
participant on waitlist
1 instructor
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Thu, Mar 9, 2023
Registration closes Mar 7
|
1
participant on waitlist
2 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #3 - Rappels, Belays, Climbing, & Anchors | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Feb 19, 2023
Registration closes Feb 17
|
2
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Feb 25, 2023
Registration closes Feb 24
|
2
participants on waitlist
2 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Lecture #2 - Alpine Rock (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Mar 2, 2023
Registration closes Mar 2
|
38
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine SIG Field Trip - Rock Climbing | |||
Vantage/The Feathers |
Fri, Mar 10, 2023 -
Sat, Mar 11, 2023 Registration closes Mar 9
|
3
participants
6 instructors
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Sat, Mar 11, 2023
Registration closes Mar 9
|
0
participants
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sun, Mar 12, 2023
Registration closes Mar 10
|
3
participants
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Fri, Mar 17, 2023 -
Sat, Mar 18, 2023 Registration closes Mar 15
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Mar 18, 2023 -
Sun, Mar 19, 2023 Registration closes Mar 16
|
2
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Sat, Mar 25, 2023
Registration closes Mar 23
|
7
participants
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Fri, Mar 31, 2023 -
Sat, Apr 1, 2023 Registration closes Mar 29
|
7
participants
6 instructors
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Apr 1, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 2, 2023 Registration closes Mar 30
|
0
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Apr 8, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 9, 2023 Registration closes Apr 6
|
1
participant
3 instructors
|
|
Mount Erie |
Sun, Apr 9, 2023
Registration closes Apr 7
|
3
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #4 - Rock Evaluations | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Mar 26, 2023
Registration closes Mar 24
|
0
participants
7 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Mar 26, 2023
Registration closes Mar 26
|
20
participants
13 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
Registration closes Mar 30
|
29
participants
13 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
Registration closes Mar 30
|
33
participants
15 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Lecture #3 - Snow Travel + Crevasse Rescue (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Wed, Apr 5, 2023
Registration closes Apr 5
|
38
participants
2 instructors on waitlist
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine SIG Field Trip - Overnight Snow Scrambling | |||
Snoqualmie Summit East |
Sat, Apr 15, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 16, 2023 Registration closes Apr 13
|
3
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Mount St. Helens/Worm Flows |
Sat, Apr 15, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 16, 2023 Registration closes Apr 13
|
4
participants
|
|
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Fri, Apr 21, 2023 -
Sat, Apr 22, 2023 Registration closes Oct 19
|
5
participants
5 instructors
|
|
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Sat, Apr 22, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 23, 2023 Registration closes Apr 20
|
3
participants
|
|
Paradise |
Sat, Apr 22, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 23, 2023 Registration closes Apr 20
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
Diamond Head |
Sat, Apr 22, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 23, 2023 Registration closes Apr 20
|
1
participant
1 instructor
|
|
Alpental Ski Area |
Sat, Apr 29, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 30, 2023 Registration closes Apr 27
|
2
participants
3 instructors
|
|
Source Lake |
Sat, Apr 29, 2023 -
Sun, Apr 30, 2023 Registration closes Apr 27
|
3
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Fri, May 12, 2023 -
Sat, May 13, 2023 Registration closes May 10
|
7
participants
3 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #5 - Crevasse Rescue Demo & Practice (optional) | |||
Magnuson Park |
Tue, Apr 25, 2023
Registration closes Apr 24
|
5
participants on waitlist
5 instructors
|
|
Magnuson Park |
Thu, Apr 27, 2023
Registration closes Apr 26
|
1
participant on waitlist
6 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #6 - Snow Travel, and Snow Anchors | |||
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Sun, Apr 30, 2023
Registration closes Apr 28
|
3
participants
7 instructors
|
|
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Sat, May 6, 2023
Registration closes May 5
|
4
participants on waitlist
8 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Lecture #4 - Glacier Travel + Trip Planning & Climbing Team (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Thu, May 11, 2023
Registration closes May 11
|
38
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #7 - Crevasse Rescue Evaluation | |||
Magnuson Park |
Tue, May 23, 2023
Registration closes May 21
|
4
participants on waitlist
7 instructors
|
|
Magnuson Park |
Thu, May 25, 2023
Registration closes May 24
|
1
participant
9 instructors
|
Additional badges needed to graduate
Completed
See handbook under Course Materials
Name/Description |
---|
2023 Basic Alpine Climbing Handbook.pdf Overview over the Course |
Basic FT CURRICULUM 2022.pdf 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. |