Join us on a 6 Day Alpine Climbing Skills Course
The term “alpine climbing” refers to climbing involving pitches of rock, ice, or steep snow where a rope is needed for protection from a fall off of a mountain feature. The term “mountaineering” generally refers to lower-angle climbs where a rope may be needed for glacier travel, but is not needed to protect against a fall off the mountain. Climbers can walk up the majority of a mountaineering objective, while they need to use their hands, feet, and sometimes specialized tools like ice axes to climb alpine routes. Alpine climbing forms a foundation for “alpinism”, which is the pursuit of alpine climbing in a fast-and-light style. The pursuit of alpine climbing requires more skills than mountaineering, has a larger psychological component, and takes longer to master. If this sounds interesting to you, then read on.
Have you already climbed glaciated peaks like Mt. Baker or Mt. Rainier and want to further your development as a climber? Or perhaps you are just getting into climbing and want to do more than climb simple glacier routes? If so, then this is this Alpine Climbing Skills course is for you. We keep our ratios low so we can get into plenty of technical terrain and push students’ skill sets without sacrificing safety.
This Alpine Climbing Skills course prepares students to climb peaks that have significant sections of rock climbing on faces and ridges, steep snow climbing, and complex approaches and descents. This includes Forbidden Peak, The Tooth, Liberty Bell, the Early Winter Spires, Black Peak, and other classic alpine rock climbs of the Cascades. It is also the perfect preparation for alpine rock climbs in the Rocky Mountains- such as the Colorado Fourteeners or the Grand Teton, and for routes in the High Sierra of California such as Mt. Whitney. If you’d like to also cover glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and summit a large glaciated peak consider combining this course with our Mountaineering Skills Course. Or if you’d like to tackle steep ice routes such as the North Ridge of Mount Baker add our Ice Climbing Course. By taking all three courses you have 14-days of world-class instruction that allows students to tackle peaks with large glaciers, multi-pitch rock, ice faces, snow-filled couloirs, and long technical ridges. Routes requiring these skills include Mt. Shuksan via the Fischer Chimneys route or North Face, more complex climbs in Boston Basin such as the North RIdge of Forbidden, or a climb of challenging rock routes in North Cascades National Park such as Dorado Needle, Early Morning Spire, Inspiration Peak, or Mt. Goode.
Our Alpine Climbing Skills course begins with an introduction to multi-pitch rock climbing at a crag with easy access and a short approach. This day you will be introduced to equipment used for multi-pitch traditional (trad) climbing, rope management techniques, lead belaying, climbing techniques, multi-pitch belay station management, and technical descents such as rappels. You will also participate in a multi-pitch climb. The next two days will be split between instruction in multi-pitch alpine climbing systems, and a climb of an alpine rock route. Possible routes include classics like The Tooth, routes on Vesper Peak, or a route on Morning Star Peak.
For the final three days we head into Boston Basin, where we combine our multi-pitch skills with steep snow climbing and more complex alpine systems. We learn the fundamentals of moving on snow, and also learn how to progress together along ridges. Possible objectives include Sharkfin Tower, the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak, or- for more advanced students- the North Ridge of Forbidden Peak. The amount of learning on this course is substantial, the scenery fantastic, and the climbing experiences last a life-time.
For those with previous experience in complex alpine terrain, or for those interested in pursuing alpine climbing at a high recreational level or for a future profession, take a look at our Alpine Climbing Leadership Program.
Skills Covered During the Alpine Climbing Skills Course:
- Equipment selection for multi-pitch rock and alpine climbs
- Packing a pack for alpine routes
- Rope management
- Belay systems
- Belay station management
- Rock climbing movement technique
- Rappelling
- Walking/climbing techniques for steep snow
- Introduction to snow anchors
- Techniques for shortening and lengthening the rope
- Alpine rock anchors
- Basic wilderness navigation
- Hazard mitigation
- Campsite selection and set-up
- Leave-No-Trace principles
Prerequisites:
- Previous multi-day backpacking experience
- Previous experience using crampons and an ice axe. This can be gained on our Intro to Snow Climbing Course, or by adding one extra day to your itinerary.
- Previous indoor or outdoor rock climbing experience is strongly recommended, but not required for those with a tolerance for steep and exposed terrain. Rock climbing experience can be gained on our Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing course.
- Excellent physical fitness. This course involves long days on-the-move in the mountains while carrying a pack weighing around 40lbs on the way into base camps. While climbing you will have a small pack weighing 10 to 15lbs. Take a look at our Alpine Climbing Training Program for details.
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights Camping or Car CampingGear check
RequiredPassport
Not needed for US citizensMinimum Age
16 years oldActivity
Alpine Rock ClimbingAccommodation
Tents
- Fuel, Pots, and Stoves
- Tents
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide Services
- Transportation
- Parking or entry fees (when applicable)
- Food or drinks
- Accommodation before or after the course
- Personal clothing
- Personal climbing equipment (rentals available)
- Gratuities for guides
