Intermediate Alpine Climbing Program

Welcome to the 2019 Tacoma Intermediate Climbing Program!

Please read the entire page and use the links to other resources before attempting to sign up for the course.

Please fill out the application, if you meet the program prerequisites you will be notified by the Intermediate Committee that you have gained initial acceptance into the program.

Initial Acceptance Prerequisites

• Have graduated from the basic course or gained equivalency.
• Have met a minimum experience requirement (2 successful climbs with one being a basic rock or basic glacier climb, and have at least attempted a third climb or have extensive rock leading experience). 
• Are very comfortable scrambling on 3rd and 4th class terrain.
• Have a current navigation and WFA or equivalent badge.
• Have participated in volunteer activities with the The Mountaineers or other non-profit organizations.

Full acceptance into the program is based on the foundational components of the Intermediate Program: knowledge of basic skills, fitness, experience, intentions, and volunteerism. 

Once initially accepted, you will be required to pay the $50 (non-refundable) Course Qualifier Fee and will be given the opportunity to participate in the Tacoma Intermediate Course Qualifier. The course qualifier is a test of the applicants comprehension of skills learned in the basic course and a physical fitness test (hike Mount Si, to the bottom of the haystack, in under 2 hours with a 35lb pack).

If you pass the course qualifier, you will gain Intermediate Student status and acceptance into the 2019 Tacoma Intermediate Module Program.

Welcome to the 2019 TACOMA Intermediate MODULE PROGRAM!

The program helps students develop the skills necessary to lead the rock, glaciated snow, and alpine ice routes typically found in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to climbing techniques, the program emphasizes safety, self assessment, leadership, and climbing instruction. The modules are structured to help students progress their knowledge and skills, so they may be able to organize and lead basic level climbs and to participate in intermediate level climbs. 

The Tacoma  Intermediate Program consists of four modules, each of which can be taken individually, but only by Tacoma Intermediate Students (at this time):

• Intermediate Glacier Travel and Soft Snow
• Anchors and Self-Rescue
• Intermediate Rock - Traditional Single and Multi-pitch Climbing
• Intermediate Alpine Ice and Hard Snow

You do not have to take every module this year, however you will have to retest into the Program every other year to maintain your Intermediate Student Program status if you still want to continue taking modules. It is also important to note that some modules are prerequisites to other modules, and you will be required to meet the prerequisites of each module before you will be allowed to sign-up and participate. Here is link  to more information on the program and each module.

The modules will be posted for sign up on the Mountaineers  website as the year progresses. This listing is mostly to keep track of the 2019 Tacoma Intermediate Students.

Before you apply, we would like you to consider the cost and time commitment required in the program, as it has  a number of different components, most of which come into play during the first year:

COSTS

• The course qualifier fee $50
  
• Individual module costs (ranging $100-$200 per module)
• “AIARE Level 1” course (typically $275 - $350 for members) is needed for both the Intermediate glacier and Ice modules. 
• Additional gear costs: This is highly individual and variable, but you can expect around $1000 if you take all 4 modules
  
• Required books used to help teach the modules.
• Travel costs to attend Intermediate field trips and to teach at Basic field trips.

If  the  module fees are prohibitive for you, the Mountaineers offers  Scholarships.

TIME COMMITMENT

•  Module coursework (each module will have at least two lectures, two field days, and an exam) - at this point in time, there is no way to make up a missed lecture or field trip. If you cannot attend, you cannot take the module.
  
• Students are expected to have read the required reading before lectures and to practice skills prior to and after attending field trips.   
• Study and prepare for the exams
• Maintain conditioning
• Attend other required courses as needed - ex. leadership seminar
• Teach at Basic and other activities field trips.
• You are expected to refresh on the material prior to teach at basic field trips.
• Travel to attend Intermediate field trips, mentor nights, lectures,  and to teach at Basic field trips.

For more information about the program you should attend one of the Tacoma Intermediate Information nights scheduled for:

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 7 PM at the Tacoma Program Center

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 - 7 PM at the Tacoma Program Center