Join Us On Alpine Ice Climbing Leadership Course
This course can be taken all-at-once or divided into two separate three-day weekends to work with your schedule.
This six-day course will teach students how to be competent followers on multi-pitch alpine ice objectives, and how to plan and carry-out their own trips. Those with previous ice climbing experience or with a high level of competency may practice leading pitches of easy alpine ice. The first three days are spent doing ice climbing training in the seracs on the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker. Students learn about ice climbing anchors and protection, how to fit and use crampons and ice tools, hazard assessment in a steep glacial environment, how to move efficiently on ice, belay management, and how to safely remove protection. We may also cover basic crevasse rescue during these days so students are prepared for the glacier travel portion of the ice route we choose. The next three days are spent climbing an alpine ice route on Mt. Baker. Generally we choose the North Ridge of Mt. Baker, a steep multi-pitch ice route that is one of the most stunning and challenging routes the Cascades have to offer.
Prerequisites for Alpine Ice Climbing Leadership Course
- 5-Day Mountaineering Skills Course -or- comparable glacier mountaineering experience.
- Ability to belay a lead climber.
- Previous multi-pitch climbing experience preferred. This can be gained on our Multi-pitch Climbing Course.
- Excellent physical fitness.
Skills Covered During Alpine Ice Climbing Leadership Course:
- Ice climbing equipment overview and selection
- Hazard assessment and mitigation in multi-pitch ice terrain
- Trip planning
- Route finding in an alpine setting
- Rope management at multi-pitch belay stations on ice
- Ice movement on low angle to steep ice
- Placing and removing ice and snow protection
- Constructing ice and snow anchors
- Self-care considerations for alpine ice routes
- Rope systems and transitions between glacier travel and fifth-class ice climbing
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights CampingGear check
RequiredPassport
Not needed for US citizensMinimum Age
16 years oldActivity
Alpine Ice Climbing and MountaineeringAccommodation
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 trip/course
- Personal clothing
- Personal climbing equipment (rentals available)
- Gratuities for guides