Mountaineeering Fundamentals
The Introduction to Mountaineering Course is a great way for beginning climbers to learn the fundamentals of mountaineering, or for experienced climbers to review their skills.
Learn the essentials of alpine mountaineering, including snow and ice climbing skills, crevasse rescue, navigation, and route finding techniques.
Our highly motivated and experienced guides are committed to making your mountaineering course a rewarding and educational experience.
Course curriculum includes:
- Snow climbing, ice axe use and safety, and moving in balance.
Roped glacier travel, rope team management, route finding, and crevasse navigation.
Application of all ice axe positions and self arrest training.
Glaciology and crevasse pattern prediction.
Introduction to anchors and belaying.
Crampon usage and techniques.
Introduction to crevasse rescue.
Camp construction, camp management, and cold weather camping skills.
Proper clothing and equipment for survival in the glacial environment, mountain weather, alpine ecology, efficient, safe and self-dependent climbing
techniques.
Included in Cost: All meals while on the mountain, tents, stoves, cook kits, group climbing equipment, and guide services.
Not Included in Cost: Airfare, transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant meals, gratuities for guides, and all personal items. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all participants.
Qualifications: Previous mountaineering experience is not required. However, this trip is rated as strenuous and we cannot overemphasize the importance of physical conditioning. By getting your heart, lungs, and legs in top physical condition, you can focus on learning while enjoying the high mountain environment. It is recommended that you have some camping and hiking experience prior to this trip. Because everyone is required to carry a share of the group’s equipment, be prepared to carry as much as 60 lbs. to base camp.
Course Itinerary:
Day 1: After a 7:00 am orientation, we drive to the trailhead and begin our trek to high camp. Ascending approximately 3,500 feet over the course of 4-5 miles makes this portion of the trip fairly strenuous, but the hike also takes us through many scenic ecological zones and gives the group a chance to admire and photograph ancient forests and alpine meadows. Upon arrival at high camp, we set up our tents, cook a delicious meal, and begin discussions on equipment usage and selection, the alpine environment, Leave No Trace camping skills, and alpine ecology. After dinner we prepare for the next day’s instruction.
Day 2: After an early rise, we’ll enjoy a hearty mountain breakfast and then begin learning the fundamentals of proper snow climbing techniques. This will include the application of all ice axe positions, self belay, self arrest, and movement in balance. Following lunch, we begin familiarizing ourselves with essential knots for climbing, proper belay techniques and signals, movement over steeper terrain, and rappelling.
Day 3: Following a pre-dawn wake-up, we begin our summit attempt. Leaving camp in the dark, we travel in teams further up the mountain. As the sun begins to rise, our teams may be able to view the summit or, as we approach the summit, view the route we have traveled thus far. The climb from base camp to the summit gives climbers the opportunity to use and apply their newly acquired skills. On the summit we rest, enjoy the spectacular views, and bask in the sense of accomplishment of having worked as team members to reach our goal. Our descent to base camp gives us the chance to practice the additional skills necessary for down-climbing steep terrain.
Day 4: Today can be an alternate summit day or an opportunity to learn crevasse rescue techniques, including constructing and equalizing multiple anchor points and practicing rescue scenarios. We may also have the opportunity to review and further practice the skills we have learned thus far. Following our final discussions, we break camp and descend to the valleys where we celebrate a successful trip and begin planning the next climbing adventure.
Note on the Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control. Students will be advised of course location within two weeks prior to the start date based on current route and weather conditions.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.
We'd love to hear from you!
tony@nwwilderness.com