Alpine Scrambling Course   - Tacoma - 2015

Scrambling Course

Alpine Scrambling Course

Check out our conditioning hikes posted by Mike Murphy in the Activities section of the Mountaineers website.

Most Northwest mountain summits are accessible by scramble routes. In this course you will learn how to reach those non-technical snow and rock summits. Comprehensive instruction includes proper equipment and clothing, route finding, avalanche awareness and avoidance, rock and off-trail scrambling, snow travel, ice-ax arrest, glissade techniques and wilderness ethics. Alpine scrambles are moderate to strenuous outings involving off-trail travel. They are generally summit oriented with class 2 or 3 climbing on rock or equally exposed snow slopes. Scrambles do not involve travel over glaciers or rock where a climbing harness and roped protection are called for. Scrambles often visit many of the same destinations as technical climbs, just using different routes.

Class Schedule:

April 1 - Lecture 1 Course overview, clothing, equip, 10Es
April 15 – Lecture 2 Snow travel & avy
April 29 – Lecture 3 Rock
May 13 – Lecture 4 Wilderness travel, camping, snow
May 27 – Final Test

Note: you can sign up for conditioning hikes led by Mike Murphy or John Murphy scheduled weekly if you want to get an idea of conditioning requirements and you can ask us about the class.

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Tacoma Scrambling Activity - Snow ONE
Brookville Gardens Community Park
Sat, Apr 6, 2024
Registration closes Apr 4
21 participants
3 instructors
Tacoma Scrambling Field Trip - Snow TWO
Bullion Basin
Sat, Apr 20, 2024
Registration closes Apr 18
15 participants
0 instructors
Tacoma Scrambling Field Trip - Camp ONE
Irish Cabin Property
Sat, May 4, 2024 -
Sun, May 5, 2024
Registration closes May 2
21 participants
5 instructors
Tacoma Scrambling Field Trip - Camp TWO
Bullion Basin
Sat, May 18, 2024 -
Sun, May 19, 2024
Registration closes May 16
10 participants
8 instructors
Tacoma Scrambling Activity - Team Stewardship (optional)
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Sat, Jun 1, 2024
Registration closes May 30
12 participants
Roster
Required Equipment

Ice Ax, climbing helmet, other equipment will be discussed in class.  Nothing is required for the first classroom session.

Course Materials
Name/Description