Intermediate Alpine Climbing Program

*COVID-19 UPDATE: THIS COURSE IS NOT CURRENTLY CANCELED. PLEASE INQUIRE WITH THE COURSE LEADER FOR FURTHER UPDATES.*

The Tacoma Intermediate Alpine Climbing Program consists of mountaineering training in alpine environments to help students develop the skills needed to serve as rope leaders on basic climbs and swing leads on routes at the Intermediate level (trad rock routes at 5.6/5.7, and/or ~55-degree snow/alpine ice).

In 2020 the Tacoma Intermediate Program is divided into two tracks or modules that focus on either (1) rock climbing or (2) glacier/alpine climbing. Both modules require a substantial personal commitment (see schedules below). Enrollment is limited to 12 dedicated students per module. The 2020 schedule is reproduced below.

Prerequisites:

1). Member of the Mountaineers

2). 18 years old or older

3). Completion of the Tacoma Program Center Basic Climbing Course or equivalent

4). Pass the qualifier practical exam

5). Pass the qualifier conditioning exam

Fees:

Qualifier exams: $50

Rock module: $250

Glacier/Alpine module: $350

Additional courses required for graduation:

AIARE (required for glacier module): Cost ca. $325

Wilderness First Aid (if not yet completed): Cost ca. $275

Financial aid is available through The Mountaineers. Click on the link for more information: https://www.mountaineers.org/membership/scholarship-financial-assistance/scholarship-financial-assistance

Application instructions: Application is free. If accepted into the course, registration payment is due by December 7, 2019.

Application ended on 11/16/2019. Contact leaders for additional information.

Course Schedules:

Qualifier practical exam: 1/25

Qualifier conditioning exam: 1/26

Welcome night (both modules): 1/30

Rock Module:

Lecture 1: 4/2

Practice Clinic 1: 4/23

Rock 1 Field Trip: 5/2 & 5/3 

Lecture 2: 5/6

Practice clinic 2: 5/12

Rock 2 Field Trip: 5/16 & 5/17 

Glacier/Alpine Module:

Lecture 1: 2/6

Lecture 2: 2/12

Practice clinic 1: 2/25

Glacier Field Trip 1: 3/7

Practice Clinic 2: 3/12

Glacier Field Trip 2: 3/14 - 3/15 

Lecture 3: 7/30

Glacier Field Trip 3: 8/1 - 8/2 

Glacier Field Trip 3: (Alt date) 8/8 - 8/9

Practice Clinic 3: 8/13

Glacier Field Trip 4: 8/15 - 8/16  Or

Glacier Field Trip 4 (Alt date): 9/5 - 9/6 

Basic Course Field Trip Instruction Requirements:

 Field trip 1 prep: 2/15 or 2/16, Required by both modules

Field trip 1: 2/22 or 2/23,  Required by both modules

Field trip 2: 3/21 or 3/22,  Required by Rock module

Field trip 3: 3/28-29,  Required by Glacier module

Field trip 4 prep: 4/8 or 4/9,  Required by Rock module

Field trip 4: 4/11 or 4/12,  Required by Rock module

Field trip 5: 5/8 or 5/9 or 5/10,  Required by Rock module

Field trip 6 & 7: prep 5/30 or 5/31,  Required by Glacier module

Field trip 6 & 7: 6/6 & 6/7,  Required by Glacier module