
Climbing Course
Basic Alpine Climbing Course
Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle - 2025 Please read instructions for applications below.
- Sun, Dec 8, 2024 - Fri, Oct 31, 2025
- Committee: Seattle Climbing
- Members: $1,075.00 Guests: $1,290.00
- Availability: FULL, 8 on waitlist (89 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 2025 course will accept applications starting Friday, 4 oct 2024.
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 4, 6am - Oct 14, 11:59pm (non-members can apply)
Link : https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8022543/8c22915e5642 (opens 10/4 at 6am, closes 10/14 at 11:59pm) - Application results published via email: starting Nov 7th
- Successful applicants can register: Nov 7-14
- Further admissions past Nov 14 if spots remain unclaimed.
- Cancellation: course fee minus $10 by Dec 13th.
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. Please note that award of a scholarship does not guarantee admission to the course! If admitted, the scholarship will be applied to the course fee.
Badges you will earn:
Course Activity | Date | Availability | Leader |
---|---|---|---|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Skills night (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Feb 17, 2025
Registration closed Feb 16
|
60
participants
6 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 3, 2025
Registration closes Mar 1
|
41
participants
4 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Registration closes Mar 9
|
44
participants
4 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Registration closes Mar 16
|
41
participants
6 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 24, 2025
Registration closes Mar 23
|
43
participants
7 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 31, 2025
Registration closes Mar 30
|
42
participants
7 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #3 - Rappels, Belays, Climbing, & Anchors | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Feb 22, 2025
Registration closes Feb 20
|
2
participants on waitlist
2 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Conditioner (optional) | |||
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Tue, Feb 25, 2025
Registration closes Feb 23
|
4
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Wed, Feb 26, 2025
Registration closes Feb 26
|
1
participant
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Tue, Mar 4, 2025
Registration closes Mar 2
|
6
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Registration closes Mar 4
|
4
participants
|
|
Mount Si Main Trail |
Fri, Mar 14, 2025
Registration closes Mar 12
|
7
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Tue, Mar 18, 2025
Registration closes Mar 16
|
10
participants
|
|
Mount Si |
Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Registration closes Mar 22
|
2
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Tue, Apr 1, 2025
Registration closes Mar 30
|
5
participants
|
|
South Bessemer Mountain |
Sun, Apr 6, 2025
Registration closes Apr 6
|
6
participants
|
|
Mount Si Main Trail |
Sat, Apr 12, 2025
Registration closes Apr 10
|
7
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Wed, Apr 16, 2025
Registration closes Apr 16
|
8
participants
|
|
West Tiger Mountain No. 3 Cable Line |
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
Registration closes Apr 30
|
3
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Humpback Mountain |
Thu, May 15, 2025
Registration closes May 13
|
5
participants
|
|
Mount Teneriffe |
Sun, May 25, 2025
Registration closes May 24
|
3
participants
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine SIG Field Trip - Rock Climbing | |||
Vantage/The Feathers |
Sat, Mar 1, 2025 -
Sun, Mar 2, 2025 Registration closes Feb 27
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Sat, Mar 8, 2025
Registration closes Mar 6
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Mar 8, 2025
Registration closes Mar 6
|
1
participant
0 instructors
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Mar 8, 2025 -
Sun, Mar 9, 2025 Registration closes Mar 6
|
1
participant
3 instructors
|
|
Vantage/The Feathers |
Sun, Mar 9, 2025
Registration closes Mar 7
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Vantage (Frenchman Coulee) |
Sat, Mar 22, 2025
Registration closes Mar 14
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Leavenworth: Mountaineers Dome |
Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Registration closes Mar 3
|
0
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Frenchman Coulee |
Sat, Apr 12, 2025 -
Sun, Apr 13, 2025 Registration closes Apr 11
|
0
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
SIG Meeting or Lecture (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Registration closes Mar 8
|
4
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Apr 7, 2025
Registration closes Apr 7
|
6
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, Apr 21, 2025
Registration closes Apr 21
|
11
participants
3 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Mon, May 5, 2025
Registration closes May 3
|
4
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #4 - Rock Evaluations | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Mar 23, 2025
Registration closes Mar 21
|
4
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sun, Mar 23, 2025
Registration closes Mar 21
|
4
participants
10 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Mar 29, 2025
Registration closes Mar 27
|
0
participants
5 instructors
|
|
Seattle Program Center |
Sat, Mar 29, 2025
Registration closes Mar 27
|
10
participants
12 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Practice (optional) | |||
Snoqualmie Summit West |
Sun, Mar 30, 2025
Registration closes Mar 28
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Mount Erie |
Sat, May 24, 2025
Registration closes May 22
|
3
participants on waitlist
0 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Lecture #3 - Snow Travel + Crevasse Rescue (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Thu, Apr 3, 2025
Registration closes Apr 3
|
22
participants
1 instructor on waitlist
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine SIG Field Trip - Overnight Snow Scrambling | |||
Hyak Lake |
Sat, Apr 12, 2025 -
Sun, Apr 13, 2025 Registration closes Apr 10
|
0
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Alpental Ski Area |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes Apr 17
|
0
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Alpental Ski Area |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes May 8
|
0
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Stevens Pass Ski Area |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes May 7
|
3
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Source Lake |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes May 8
|
4
participants
2 instructors
|
|
Paradise |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes May 8
|
2
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Paradise |
Sat, May 10, 2025 -
Sun, May 11, 2025 Registration closes Apr 10
|
0
participants
1 instructor
|
|
Skyline Lake, Skyline Ridge & Tye Peak |
Sat, May 17, 2025 -
Sun, May 18, 2025 Registration closes May 15
|
2
participants
0 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #5 - Crevasse Rescue Demo & Practice (optional) | |||
Magnuson Park |
Tue, Apr 22, 2025
Registration closes Apr 20
|
1
participant on waitlist
6 instructors
|
|
Magnuson Park |
Thu, Apr 24, 2025
Registration closes Apr 22
|
1
participant on waitlist
10 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #6 - Snow Travel, and Snow Anchors | |||
Snoqualmie Summit Ski Areas |
Sun, Apr 27, 2025
Registration closes Apr 25
|
1
participant on waitlist
8 instructors
|
|
Snoqualmie Summit Ski Areas |
Sat, May 3, 2025
Registration closes May 1
|
0
participants
11 instructors
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing Lecture #4 - Glacier Travel + Trip Planning & Climbing Team (optional) | |||
Seattle Program Center |
Tue, May 6, 2025
Registration closes May 6
|
20
participants
2 instructors on waitlist
|
|
Seattle Basic Alpine Field Trip #7 - Crevasse Rescue Evaluation | |||
Magnuson Park |
Tue, May 20, 2025
Registration closes May 18
|
0
participants
4 instructors
|
|
Magnuson Park |
Thu, May 22, 2025
Registration closes May 20
|
1
participant on waitlist
8 instructors
|
Additional badges needed to graduate
Completed
See handbook under Course Materials
Name/Description |
---|
2025 Basic Alpine Climbing Handbook.pdf |
Basic FT CURRICULUM 2025.pdf |
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. |