Intermediate Snowshoeing Course

The Intermediate Snowshoeing Course is designed for adventurers who want to gain the skills and experience to handle more challenging snowshoe routes and terrain. Intermediate trips are, in many cases, non-roped routes to destinations such as viewpoints, peaks, valleys, and frozen lakes. The course will cover the material needed to travel safely in backcountry terrain, including introductory trip planning for weather and avalanche forecast, avalanche and other incident responses, emergency shelters, traveling with ice-axe, self-belay, and self-arrest skills.

This course is open to graduates of Basic Snowshoeing or equivalent.

IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR YOU?

After successful completion of this course, you can go on trips

• where you may travel in avalanche terrain requiring beacons, shovel, and probe; and is intended to help students to be able to make their own decisions whether to participate in such trips. It is also intended to help students assess when the use of avalanche gear may be needed for particular routes they may consider taking. [Note: (1) Students do not need to purchase this equipment. (2) The course only provides an introduction to use beacon, shovel and probe - recommend AIARE Level-1 or Avalanche Rescue Courses to gain competency and better understanding], or
• on steep snow terrain with conditions requiring ice-axe and helmet for better walking in balance and self-arrest if needed.

SEE TRIP RATINGS HERE

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE COURSE

This course includes an in-person "gear plus trip planning session" and two field trips. Please note that you must attend the lectures before you can participate in the field trips. 

The field trip is a go in all weather and avalanche conditions, except for rain and/or frigid temps disallowing us to do self-care. In such an instance we will follow-up on next steps and do our best to host another field trip but may not be able to get everyone available on the same date, and some will have to return next year to complete the coursework.

If you are a current Basic Snowshoeing Student and would like to register for this course, you may do so. However, please note that you would need to successfully complete the Basic Snowshoeing Course before taking this course.

If for any reason, you are not able to complete your Basic Snowshoeing Field Trip before the "gear plus trip planning session" scheduled for this Intermediate Snowshoeing Course, your spot will be given to others on the waiting list and you will be notified of the same, when and if it happens.

FITNESS AND IMPORTANT GEAR CONSIDERATIONS

You must be fit for the more physically demanding courses like Snowshoeing, Alpine Scrambling, or Basic Climbing. Try hiking up Mt. Si (8 miles round-trip; 3,550 ft. elevation gain) and see how you do. If you can get to the top of Mt. Si (to the viewpoints in the haystack basin) in 2½ hours or less (barring icy conditions), you are probably in adequate condition for this course.
Current students and graduates of Intermediate Snowshoeing will be eligible to participate in Intermediate snowshoe trips after successful completion of the field trips.

An ice axe and helmet are required for this course. Guidelines on how to choose a general ice axe (not for technical ice climbing) will be provided to you at the lecture, or students can go to a local outdoor retailer and request sizing assistance. You can rent these or borrow from us (committee) for the field trip before you decide whether you like to go on such trips which are very steep with snow conditions that need ice-axe. 

TRANSPORTATION CONSIDERATIONS

Snowshoeing trips, including the field trips for this course, are usually held at locations near mountain passes that require driving on snow-y roads or icy parking lots. Before signing up for this course please be sure you have access to a winter-capable vehicle.  An AWD or 4WD vehicle is best, but a 2WD vehicle with reasonable ground clearance and snow chains/socks can work in benign-to-moderate conditions.   Lack of access to adequate transportation will not be considered a sufficient reason to refund the course fee.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students have three years to complete their requirements for graduation, which are:

• If not taken already, attend the Avalanche Awareness Seminar (this is required, as a minimum). Additional Avalanche courses such as AIARE Avalanche rescue, or AIARE Level 1 are recommended. 
• Attendance at gear plus trip planning session and satisfactory performance at both field trips
• Complete a Wilderness Navigation Course
• Successful completion of 1 intermediate snowshoe trip.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Mountaineers strive to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. We are committed to providing access to outdoor recreation, education, and conservation opportunities for all members and youth in the communities we serve. If you would like to take this course and are experiencing financial hardship or limitations, please apply for financial assistance. Here is more information about the Mountaineers Financial Assistance Program.

For additional questions, please email the course leader.
Mountaineers members only.