Basic Climbing Refresher - Seattle - 2016

Climbing Course

Basic Climbing Refresher

Basic Climbing Refresher allows Basic graduates from previous years the opportunity to review and practice rock and snow skills.

A course for those returning to climbing after some time off.  This course is an opportunity to learn current best practices, new gear, new techniques and brush up on your skills.

The course is currently planned to take place on 2  weekends.  However, we might adjust the schedule for good weather.

You can do as much or as little as you'd like.  There is no grading.   No badge is awarded.

Additional information can be found below.  The Course Materials contains most of the documents from the 2016 Basic Climbing course, including their 2016 Basic Climbing Handbook.  The Handbook contains additional details about lengths  needed for slings and prusiks, and much more.

This year, a 120 cm sewn nylon runner and an 60 cm sewn nylon runner  is also needed. Please try to obtain these runners before the first session.

Dates of field trips appears under Course Requirements.  

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

Varies by field trip

Gear Matrix (From Seattle Basic Alpine Climbing student guide)

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

0

 

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
2018 Basic Climbing Illustrated Guide to Crevasse Rescue

Illustrated guide to using 2-1 pulley system for crevasse rescue

2018 Basic Alpine Climbing Handbook

2018 Basic Curriculum

2018 What's New with Basic

Basic Alpine Handbook 2017

Handbook for Basic Alpine Climbing 2017 Contains list of equipment, list of Basic Climbs, how to report an overdue party, etc.

2017 Basic Alpine Climbing Course Lectures

A collection of the presentations shown at the 2017 Basic Climbing Course lectures. Some of these presentations are quite large.

Basic Field Trips 2017 (pdf)

Skills covered in the 2017 Basic Alpine Climbing field trips. Contains a number of links to instructional videos.

FAQs

Your survival guide to Basic Alpine Climbing