Alpine Climbing Course

The Basic Climbing Course combines classroom lecture, field instruction and climbing experience designed to provide the basic skills necessary to safely climb rock, snow and the glaciated peaks of the Pacific Northwest. The course is set up to be completed in roughly 1-2 months and covers the selection and care of equipment, wilderness travel and camping, glacier travel, belaying, rappelling, rock climbing, crevasse rescue, and many other topics.

During field trips and actual climbs, the student will put these skills to practice with the guidance of experienced mountaineers. Previous experience in off-trail hiking and camping is helpful but not mandatory. Participants should have a desire to learn technical mountaineering skills and be aware that this course requires a significant investment in time and energy. Solid overall physical conditioning, good cardiovascular strength and psychological commitment are needed as the participants will experience travel in difficult terrain with vertical exposure while carrying a heavy pack in adverse weather conditions. While the course is challenging and demanding, the skills acquired allow the participants to meet lifelong climbing partners and gain the skills to safely enjoy mountain environments for a lifetime.

Participant Restrictions: Ages 16 and older, no exceptions. Capable of carrying 30+lbs over 2000+ feet of elevation gain.

A detailed equipment list will be included in the course syllabus attachment once registered.

Outdoor Skills Practice:
Winter skills will be conducted over a 2-day, overnight period in an alpine environment with lessons in snow camping, avalanche awareness, snow travel, and self and team rescue. Rock skills will be conducted in-house utilizing our rock wall and 2-day overnight rock field trip outing to a local crag. Rock lessons will cover everything students need to know to climb outside safely. Physical performance of skills learned in the classroom in the alpine and rock environments will be practiced and put to the test.

Requirements for Completion:
Broken into three parts, the course covers Classroom lecture-based education, Skills activities, and an Outdoor overnight practicum. To complete the course, you must attend all three portions and pass the required skills tests.

Skills tests will be periodically done throughout the course, and those designated critical must be successfully completed without error. The critical skills are listed below:

• Knots
• Self-Arrest
• Belaying in all climbing disciplines
• Proper use of Ice axe
• Proper use of Crampons

Once you have completed the course, you are qualified to sign up for a mountaineering trip. You may be asked to demonstrate these skills before any technical movement on a trip to ensure the safety of all participants.

When: 1800–2100 on the dates below (excluding Overnights). Classroom sessions will be located at Adventures Unlimited: 739 Battery Rd., McChord Field.

Glacier Module:

• Thursdays, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27
• Thursdays, March 6 and 20
  Overnight:
• Saturday-Sunday, March 22–23
  Where: Mount Rainer or Mount Baker 

Rock Module:

• Thursday, March 27
• Thursday, April 3
  Overnight:
• Saturday-Sunday, April 5–6 
  Where: Vantage, WA or Yakima, WA