Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle - 2025

Climbing Course

Basic Alpine Climbing Course

Basic Alpine Climbing Course - Seattle - 2025 Please read instructions for applications below.

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

Course Requirements
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
Roster
Required Equipment

See handbook under Course Materials

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.