Intensive Basic Alpine Climbing Course

• important notes

  ***ALL INFORMATION LISTED ABOUT THIS COURSE IS TENTATIVE***
• This course may be cancelled (with a full refund issued if cancelled) if necessary, depending on COVID-19 guidelines and the viability for us to gather in small groups at the Tacoma Clubhouse and in outdoor spaces.
• THIS COURSE IS ONLY OFFERED TO STUDENTS FROM THE TACOMA 2020 BASIC ALPINE CLIMBING COURSE.
• INFORMATION AND PROJECTED DATES LISTED BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

• online lectures

• Required prior to the start of the course:
• Tues., 5/5- Cold weather and altitude related illness and injury
• Mon., 5/11 - Leader Halo 
• Wed., 6/3- Avalanche Awareness and Weather
• Wed., 8/5- Course Orientation & Roped Glacier Travel Basics Lecture

• tentative timeline- DATES *EXTREMELY* TENTATIVE AT THIS POINT

• Weekday Evening 1 - Tacoma Clubhouse - Glacier Skills (Mon., Aug. 10)
• Weekday Evening 2 - Tacoma Clubhouse - Glacier Skills (Wed., Aug. 12)
• Weekend 1 (3 days)- N. Cascades/TBD - Glacier Skills (Fri.-Sun., Aug. 14-16)
• Weekday Evening 3 - Tacoma Clubhouse - Rock Skills (Mon., Aug. 17)
• Weekday Evening 4 - Tacoma Clubhouse - Rock Skills (Wed., Aug. 19)
• Weekend 2 (3 days) - Leavenworth or Similar - Rock Skills (Fri.-Sun., Aug.  21-23)

• ABOUT INTENSIVE BASIC

• The Intensive Basic Climbing Course takes the same curriculum as the standard Basic Alpine Climbing Course and compresses it into  2-3 consecutive weeks. It is designed for those interested in experiencing alpine climbing and learning fundamental mountain skills.  It is also ideal for those seeking the benefits that a smaller course size provides: personalized instruction and camaraderie amongst a community of like-minded climbing enthusiasts. Many former students meet lifelong climbing partners and friends through the course.

  The aim of Intensive Basic is to prepare participants who are already comfortable with hiking and backpacking to be competent followers on technical rock, snow, and glaciated terrain. To achieve this, we teach belaying, rappelling, rope handling, 5th class rock climbing, snow and glacier travel, as well as backcountry and snow camping. We also provide students with guidance on gear purchases and steps towards conditioning for the alpine climbing season.

  The format of the course is a combination of  Tacoma-based classroom sessions, workshops, and climbing trips to regional crags and mountains to put these skills into practice in the alpine. After completing the coursework, you will have the opportunity to participate in alpine climbs during the summer, early fall, and following year. Should you complete all of the graduation requirements, there is a graduation celebration in the fall.

  COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  CONDITIONING

   In order to participate in the course, you will be required to complete at least one timed conditioning hike with a Tacoma Climb Leader before the first day of the course. This hike will be a benchmark, with the goal of reaching the top of Mt. Si (or equivalent) in under 2.5 hours, with a pack weighing at least 30lbs.

  READING

  You must complete all assigned readings as listed in the manual: https://sites.google.com/view/tacbac

  KNOTS

  Climbing requires solid familiarity with a large selection of knots. As it takes more time than we have in the  X course days to develop the muscle memory needed to efficiently and correctly tie and dress the required knots, we require that you learn and practice the knots used in the course before the first official day. You will be provided a small section of rope to practice with.

  SKILLS NIGHTS 

  Leading up to the course, we will host practice nights at the Tacoma Mountaineers Program Center. These will give you the opportunity to start working on skills before the start of the course itself. This is a great opportunity to practice knots as well! Additionally, you can attend any of the weekly skills nights that the standard Basic Alpine Climbing Course offers. Skills nights are optional but are highly recommended.

  GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  In order to graduate from Intensive Basic in the fall, you must satisfy the following requirements:

  ADDITIONAL COURSES

  • Wilderness First Aid
• Wilderness Navigation
• Low Impact Recreation

Both the Wilderness First Aid and Navigation course fill up quickly and early in the year. We strongly encourage you to register for both courses now, well in advance of admission into the Intensive Basic. Keep in mind that both of these courses have their own associated costs.

STEWARDSHIP

It is important that our community serve as good stewards of our public lands. As such, all Basic Alpine climbing students are required to complete one full day of volunteer outdoor stewardship. Typical activities are trail work, habitat restoration, tree planting, or invasive species removal.  To find stewardship activities, check The Mountaineers web site at: www.mountaineers.org/seattle/climbing/News_Events/Stewardship.html

CLIMBS

During the summer and the following year after the course, you will be expected to participate in at least two climbs, including one alpine rock climb and one glacier climb. These serve as experience climbs for you to demonstrate your mastery of the course material. While only two climbs are required, we strongly encourage you to participate in as many climbs as you can.

COST

This course is only open to students of the 2020 Tacoma Basic Alpine Climbing course that was cancelled because of the covid-19 outbreak.

Students who did not request a refund of the Basic Course fee will have their payment waived. Please contact the course chair and you will be added to the roster.

REFUND POLICY

Partial refunds are granted before the start of the course, with no refunds granted seven (7) days prior to the start.