Rock Climbing for Mountaineers Course Itinerary
Day 1: Morning Gear check. Drive to the course location. Skills covered: Movement on rock and breathing, safety at the crag, knots, belaying and rope management. Evening discussion: Introduction to guide books and ratings.
Day 2: Natural protection: tying off trees, boulders and pinches, rappelling, passive gear and practice, active gear and practice, build equalized anchors. Evening discussion: Multi- pitch theory
Day 3: We attempt a short multi-pitch climb. Climbers inspect and evaluate gear placements made by the guide. We also cover gear placement and problem solving. Evening discussions: Lead climbing theory and basic rescue techniques.
Day 4: Practice rescue techniques: escaping the belay and passing the knot. Hitches, Knots, and Devices for rescue and assistance. Gear placement for lead climbing. Mock leading or advanced movement techniques. Evening discussion: Attainable goals.
Day 5: A variety of Options are available based on climber’s goals, including: anchor building and top rope set up; multi-pitch climbing and mock leading.
Personalized Intermediate Course
This intensive course is for those individuals looking to further develop their skills (how to build complex anchors, protection placement for lead climbing etc.) and take their existing skills into the mountains to climb alpine routes. Climbers who are comfortable lead climbing in gyms and those who have mastered the fundamental skills of belaying and setting up top-rope climbs outdoors should consider our intermediate course. This 5-day comprehensive program combines instruction at an established climbing area and on classic routes in The North Cascades. With a highly personalized 2:1 climber to guide ratio, the course moves quickly through a review of basic introductory skills at a “cragging” area then travels into the backcountry for longer technical routes where we embrace the challenges of route finding, hazard assessment, and alpine climbing techniques, tailored to your existing skill level.
If you are unsure of how to evaluate your skills please contact our office for help finding the appropriate course for you.