Basic Glacier Climbing Course

Want to learn some basic climbing skills? Looking to have fun in the mountains and make new friends?

Glacier climbing in the North Cascades, photo by Seth Pollack
Photo © Seth Pollack
Announcing the Basic Glacier Climbing Course. This course will provide the instruction of glacier travel skills that you will need to climb the big volcanoes of the Cascades. Also the course will introduce you to a fun and friendly climbing community. If you are a hiker, backpacker or gym climber dreaming of new heights, the Bushwhacker Glacier Course is a great start!

The course consists of nine Tuesday evening lectures, plus four field trips - see schedule below. The four-day field trip features a summit climb attempt of Mt Baker. Cost for the course is $325 which includes club membership.

Glacier climbing in the North Cascades, photo by Seth Pollack
Photo © Seth Pollack
Note that there are two sections. Each section will be composed of six to eight students, two assistants and one instructor. Each section has its own outings, but both sections share the evening lectures.

The lectures are held in a classroom, 7:30pm-9:30pm. The first and second field trips are full-day outings. The third field trip is an overnighter. The fourth field trip is four days and three nights in the mountains. All field trips require full days of activity.

Registration

Unfortunately, both sections are full but you may use the links to join the waitlist. You may also want to consider our Backcountry Travel Skills Course.
Select the Section that you would like to be waitlisted for, please see the schedule section for specific section's dates. On the registration page, select the middle link that says, "Add to Waitlist".

Register for the Glacier Course Section 1
Register for the Glacier Course Section 2

2010 Basic Glacier Course Schedule

May 4 Introduction, Physical Conditioning
May 8 Field Outing I, Section 1, Team Building
May 9 Field Outing I, Section 2, Team Building
 
May 11 Gear I
May 18 Navigation with Map & Compass
May 22 Field Outing II, Section 1, Snow Travel Skills
May 23 Field Outing II, Section 2, Snow Travel Skills
 
May 25 Gear II
June 1 Roped Travel & Gear III
June 5-6 Field Outing III, Sections 1 & 2, Roped Travel Skills
 
June 8 Hazard Recognition & Avoidance
June 15 Glaciology & Prusik Practice
June 17-20 Field Outing IV, Section 1, Glacier Travel Skills
 
June 22 Pacific Northwest Weather
June 24-27 Field Outing IV, Section 2, Glacier Travel Skills
 
June 29 Course Completion

Note: These dates are subject to change based on snowpack, weather and other conditions.