Course Overview
Rock climbing and glacier climbing are the two core skills necessary for comprehensive alpine climbing. When approaching challenging mountains, the ability to navigate mixed terrain is imperative. Whether one has an existing background in glacier climbing, sport or gym climbing, or is an avid hiker, this rock course will change the way you view and assess variable terrain. This comprehensive five-day program provides the foundation for alpine climbing at all levels.

The vast majority of great mountain climbs require diverse talents to reach the summit. The success of a climbing team often revolves around the members ability to move efficiently from one type of terrain and skill set to another. Crossing sections of rock to reach the summit, getting on/off glaciers with a heavy pack, traveling with heavy packs through boulder fields or short rock sections on the lower reaches of the peaks are all essential skills requiring a sound foundation in rock climbing. Graduates of this program will be able handle each of the aforementioned skills and view mountaineering with a greater overall understanding and skill level.

Course Locations
Icicle Creek Canyon, Leavenworth, Washington

Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to teach climbers movement techniques required to climb technical rock routes, evaluation and management of top rope sites, and how to build sound top rope anchors. Understanding these concepts will improve a climbers general mountaineering skill in a variety of ways. Some key components of the course are:
Learning balance and energy efficiency learned in rock climbing which translates to greater comfort and control on every type of hiking and mountaineering terrain.

Evaluating top rope sites and establishing top rope climbs teach the climber to "see" the route, how it will unfold, and manage potential problems.

Building anchors helps the climber understand protection placement and the forces that effect those placements, which is essential to becoming a safe climber and fully understanding more complex systems such as crevasse rescue.

Physical Conditioning
In the best interest of personal safety, success and team compatibility, adequate training and excellent physical condition is required. We encourage you to contact us so that we may assist you in developing a training program that meets your particular needs. Comprehensive training information can be found here.

Environmental Responsibility
Alpine Ascents is deeply committed to maintaining ecosystems at home and around the world. With each expedition, trek and course, we not only attempt to leave the environment as we found it, but strive to assist the local population in protecting the land and people indigenous to that region. Alpine Ascents reaches for the highest ethical business practices at home and abroad. Each staff member is dedicated to environmentally sound alpine ascents.

At Alpine Ascents environmental stewardship remains one of our core values and we take Leave No Trace ethics and practices very seriously. The mountains are our home and we are unwilling to sacrifice their preservation for human objectives. On every one of our courses and climbs we teach and follow the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principals and practices.

Over the years, with the assistance of our Sherpa teams, we have stepped up efforts to clean Mt. Everest. Our Wag Bag® program made a pioneering step in human waste management for the National Park System and Forest Service in the North Cascades. On Aconcagua, we pioneered a waste removal system on our climbs, utilizing the WAG Bag® system. And we continue our on-going maintenance and minimal impact plans wherever we guide. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Alpine Ascents is committed to developing safe, self-reliant and environmentally conscious mountaineers.

Private Groups
We regularly organize private climbsfor individuals, corporate groups, families and friends. We encourage you to book these climbs early as we are often able to cater these climbs to group-specific desires. Please contact our office to further discuss the benefits of private courses.

Alpine Ascents International is an Equal Opportunity recreation provider under the Special Use Permit from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan National Forest, Wenatchee National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Goat Rocks Wilderness and the North Cascades National Park.

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