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Alpine Scrambling Course - Tacoma - 2022

Scrambling Course

Alpine Scrambling Course

The Tacoma Alpine Scrambling course teaches essential techniques of off-trail wilderness travel needed for scaling snow and rock summits.

Contacts

Shawn Raybell
Shawn Raybell
Leader


Most Northwest mountain summits are accessible by scramble routes. In this course you will learn how to reach these 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 and camping, ice-ax arrest, glissade techniques and wilderness ethics.  Students will be introduced to principles of risk management and be expected to demonstrate a "responsibility to team" mentality.

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.

The 2022 course will be conducted in an outdoor or a virtual classroom environment.  All students and instructors will be responsible for following The Mountaineers COVID-19 Code Of Conduct. 

2022 Students will have a guaranteed space available when registering for our Basic Navigation, Wilderness First Aid and Avalanche Awareness Courses.  

APPLICATION REQUIRED

An application is required in order to register for this course. Applications will go live December 4th.  Permission requests to register prior to this date will be ignored. Applications will be processed in the order received. 

COURSE TIMELINE

December 4, 2021 - Application Submittals Begin

December 8, 2021 - Registration Opens

March 2, 2022 - Course Introduction  (Virtual Video Class)

March 13, 2022 - Rock School (Local Field Activity)

March 26, 2022 - Rock Field Trip (Leavenworth Area Field Activity)

April 9, 2022 - Snow School (Local Field Activity)

April 23, 2022 - Snow Field Trip (Crystal Mountain Area Field Activity)

April 30-May 1, 2022 - Snow Camping School (Irish Cabin Field Activity)

May 21-22, 2022 - Experience Field Trip/Snow Camp (Bean Basin Field Activity)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Mountaineers strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. We are committed to providing access to outdoor recreation, education and conservation opportunities for all members in the communities we serve. More information on financial assistance is available here: https://www.mountaineers.org/membership/scholarship-financial-assistance

 

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Tacoma Scrambling Activity - Course Kick-Off
Tacoma Program Center
Sat, Mar 14, 2026
Registration closes Mar 12
16 participants
2 instructors on waitlist
Shawn Raybell
Tacoma Scrambling Activity - Rock ONE
SPIRE Rock
Sat, Apr 18, 2026
Registration closes Apr 16
16 participants
Shawn Raybell
Tacoma Scrambling Activity - Snow ONE
Paradise
Sat, Apr 25, 2026
Registration closes May 14
16 participants
Shawn Raybell
Tacoma Scrambling Field Trip - Rock TWO
Leavenworth
Sat, May 2, 2026
Registration closes Apr 30
16 participants
Shawn Raybell
Tacoma Scrambling Field Trip - Snow TWO
Bullion Basin
Sat, May 16, 2026 -
Sun, May 17, 2026
Registration closes May 28
16 participants
Shawn Raybell

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment

A list of required equipment is included in the course materials and will be discussed at the Course Introduction. Students are urged to wait until the Introduction before buying new equipment. Information will be provided then regarding ice axe, helmet, prusiks, boots, etc.

Additional gear details will be offered in the Course Application.

 

Course Materials
Name/Description