Alpine Ice

This module teaches the skills necessary to swing leads on an alpine ice routes typical for the Cascades. This includes:

• Coaching on proper ice climbing form and technique
• Placing ice screws
• Ice-specific anchor building best practices
• Swinging leads on glacial ice approaching WI2 in difficulty

The module consists of one evening lecture held virtually, optional practice sessions at the Seattle Program Center focused on ice climbing form and technique, and an overnight weekend field trip* to the Coleman seracs on Koma Kulshan.

For 2025, applicants should have experience in the following areas:

• Glacier travel skills
• Multi-pitch climbing
• Self-rescue

The Mountaineers provides many paths to obtain these skills.  These are the two more common paths:

• Graduate of the Basic Alpine or Basic Glacier Travel courses
• Multi-pitch Trad
• Self-rescue I

OR

• WMCR

For WMCR students/grads, it is strongly encouraged for applicants to have lead climbing experience whether through a Mountaineers-led program or though a 'learn to lead' class offered by climbing gyms.

This course is open to all who meet the requirements described above - no application will be required this year.  We will review applicants' Mountaineers profiles to confirm eligibility.  Feel free to reach out if you have any questions - our intention is to find solutions, not to exclude anyone from participating.

Instructors, feel free to reach out if the roster for a given event is full - I am happy to expand the roster.

*We will add capacity to the two weekend FTs as needed to meet demand.