Join Us On an 8 Day Denali Prep Course
The first session is a 2-day classroom course. The material learned during the Denali Prep Course two-day course will prepare you for the next six days of training. This is taught in person, but there is an option to take the course online. The next session is a 3-day course in the mountains during which time the information learned in the first session will be applied. The final session is a 3-day course where participants lead an Alaskan-style climb of a challenging peak in the North Cascades such as Mt. Shuksan or Mt. Baker, under the supervision of instructors.
The sessions can be tailored for beginner and intermediate mountaineers. Previous glacier travel and glacier camping experience is beneficial but not required. Participants must be physically fit for extended alpine activity, including carrying a 60-lb pack and pulling a sled. Some activities will be extremely rigorous. Adequate training, fitness, and gear will make the trip more enjoyable and allow you to focus on the many skills covered.
We have two options for dividing up the Denali Prep Course Trip:
1. Break down the trip in multiple sessions over consecutive weekends: 2 day Classroom weekend + 3 day weekend + 3 day weekend. This will work well for Seattle/Portland area people who may not want use their vacation days.
2. Combine all three sessions in one 9-day period: 2 day Classroom + 3 day mountain + day off + 3 day mountain. This will work well for people flying in.
Duration
8 Days (3 sessions)Gear check
RequiredPassport
Not required for AmericansMinimum Age
13 years oldActivity
Trekking, Mountaineering, and more.Accommodation
The Mountain side, and the beautiful night sky.
- Course instruction with experienced guides
- Tents
- Stoves/Cooking kits
- Group climbing equipment
- Park fees
- Any hotel stays or in town expenses
- Transportation (We will help arrange carpools or transportation can be provided for extra fees)
- Meals
- Gratuities for Guides
- Travel insurance
Session 1: Logistics and Skills (2-days)
This session is information rich. We use an indoor and outdoor classroom to learn information and practice techniques in a controlled setting. It is possible that this session will be a distance learning session. We find classroom/technology learning makes the learning process much easier than learning on the side of a mountain. Information may also be accessed at a later date and reviewed. The information from this session is then applied in a mountain environment during session 2.
Run-through of experience of participants in cold weather mountain environments
Overview of West Buttress Route
Pass-out and go over the Denali packing list (provided to participants before the course)
Reserving your climbing permit
Choosing a flight service to Kahiltna
Detailed day-by-day of the route
How to do food shopping Food Packing
Boot fitting, socks, & lacing
Crampon fitting with overboots (large sizing bars)
Skis vs. snowshoes
Backpack and sled rigging (reinforcing haul loops)
Prussic cutting and tying for rescue and travel systems
Packing an expedition backpack
Packing an expedition sled
Rope management and storage to prevent freezing
Attaching to the rope/prussic systems
Rope-team travel in a glacial environment (emotional and physical challenges)
Attaching to fixed-lines
Ascending fixed-lines
Clipping-past an anchor
Descending fixed-lines
High altitude concerns
High altitude eating and hydration
Session 2: Application of Knowledge (3 days)
During this session we practice the skills we learned in session 1 on a glaciated peak. We also add movement skills, self-care, and crevasse rescue. The focus of this session is not to summit a peak, but rather to build a skill-set that will allow us to climb Denali.
Review/practice packing backpacks and sleds
Uphill walking techniques (with a weighted sled)
Downhill walking techniques (with a weighted sled)
Lower glacier navigation and travel
Belaying and probing for a good campsite
Work hardening snow for camping
Wind-wall building
Tent set-up and anchoring Cooking shelter area construction
Pee-hole area construction
Cooking and snow melting
Weather reports and forecasting
Drying clothing
Sleeping warm
Snow anchors specific to Alaska powder
Clipping past running protection
Attaching the rope to anchors
Self rescue with a pack and sled (in actual crevasse)
Probing a campsite/food cache
Camp selection and set-up
Cooking and snow melting
Tent organization
Keeping hands and feet warm
Session 3: Leadership & Assessment (3 days)
This session will be a student-led “mini expedition” of a glaciated peak in the Pacific Northwest which will be climbed using the same equipment and techniques we will use on Denali. Students will plan, organize, and lead the trip. The intention is for all participants to summit the peak safely. Guides will come as participants in order to offer advice and coaching to participant leaders. Realistic scenarios will be used to test students’ knowledge and abilities during the climb.
Travel to mountain destination
Pack backpacks and sleds
Rope-up for glacier travel
Progress toward Camp I
White-out navigation scenario
Camp set-up: kitchen, tents, “toilet crevasse”
Load packs & sleds
Progress toward Camp II
May include use of fixed-lines depending upon route chosen
High winds scenario
Camp set-up with wind walls and reinforced kitchen
May include use of fixed-lines depending upon route chosen
Pack-up camp
Progress down toward base camp
Return home
