Basic Glacier Climbing Course

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

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.

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

Registration for the 2010 class will begin later this winter.

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.