ALPINE ROCK COURSE
Take your alpine skills to the next level. So you have some experience on glaciers and alpine rock routes? This course combines the two an builds on that experience.
Course is taught by an AMGA Certified Rock and Alpine Guide.
Course length
6 Days
Locations we offer this course
Washington - North Cascades
2023 Course Dates
Private Course Availability: May through September 2023
Group Course Dates:
Don't see a date in a location you are looking for? Reach out to us about setting up a private course on your preferred date.
Prerequisite
Must have some experience with glacier travel techniques and crevasse rescue and must be able to lead 5.5 trad. A high level of hiking fitness, with a 40lb pack, is required. Contact us if you have any questions about whether or not this is the right course for you.
Course Ratio
Max 2 students per guide
Cost
$1495 per person
We need at least 2 participants to run this course at group rates.
SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN
Appropriate gear selection
Review anchor building and evaluation using traditional gear
Anchor building and evaluation using natural anchors or terrain features
Route finding and topos
Efficient anchor building and evaluation for multi pitch climbing with traditional gear or terrain features
Efficient trad multi pitch transitions
Efficient rope management
Efficient a multi pitch rappel transitions
How to manage scrambling and low fifth class terrain
Advanced Crevasse Rescue
Ice Climbing technique
COURSE ITINERARY
This is just a sample itinerary. We keep the ratio on this course at 2:1 so the course content and objectives can easily be adjusted to desired learning outcomes or objectives. Location and itinerary may need to change based on weather or permits as well. Finally location and itinerary will be discussed before the course.
DAY 1
We will meet up in the morning to do paperwork, introductions, and a gear check. We will then drive to the trail head and hike into our base camp for the next 6 days. in the evening we will review some skills around camp. It is likely that we will meet in Marblemount and climb in North Cascades National Park in a zone like El Dorado. This is dependent on weather, permits, and overall course interests.
DAY 2
We will review direct line haul crevasse rescue, and teach the drop C technique. If weather and conditions allow, we will have a chance to practice in a real crevasse.
DAY 3
This day we will climb our first alpine objective. Examples possible objectives include the NW ridge of Dorado Needle, SW or N ridge of Klawatti, or the SE ridge of Austera. These are shorter objectives with glacier approached that will allow for extensive instruction and review on route
DAY 4
This day will be spent learning basic ice climbing technique and ice screw placement.
DAY 5
This day we will climb our longer final objective. Possible objectives include the E ridge of Dorado Needle or N Ridge of El Dorado.
DAY 6
We will have time on this day for another short objective depending on how everyone is feeling. Otherwise the objective of today is to hike out and enjoy a well earned front counrty meal.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUSIONS
Instruction from an AMGA certified Alpine Guide
Climbing Permits
Use of Group Technical Equipment such as Ropes and Rack
EXCLUSIONS
Personal Climbing Equipment (harness, helmet, shoes, belay devices)
Transportation
Lodging or Camping while not in the backcountry
Meals while on the course
Trip Insurance
Guide Gratuity
