Basic Alpine Climbing Course

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.

Read more about THIS and other Climbing COURSEs here