Mount Rainier One Day Crevasse Rescue Clinic

One Day Crevasse Rescue Clinic

Our one-day crevasse rescue clinic teaches skills essential for traveling competently over glaciated terrain. This program is ideal for experienced backcountry travelers and mountain athletes who are already familiar with moving on snow and wish to expand their adventures into more technical terrain. It’s also a great course for those who have taken a prolonged break from mountaineering and would like to revisit skills before a climb.

The training takes place on the south slopes of Mount Rainier, originally named “təqʷuʔməʔ” (Taquoma), out of the Paradise trailhead. Participants can expect a full day of learning and practicing crevasse rescue systems in addition to reviewing glacier travel techniques.

Skills Covered in Crevasse Rescue Clinic

Glacier travel systems
Rope/belay techniques
Knots & hitches used in crevasse rescue
Construction/evaluation of snow anchors
Basic haul systems (2:1 and 3:1)
Advanced haul systems (5:1 and 6:1)
Ascending and descending in rescue scenarios
Glacier travel risk management

Prerequisites

Experience ascending and descending steep snow slopes
Basic ice axe skills
Self-arrest
Cramponing

Itinerary

Start Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Whittaker’s Bunkhouse Cafe, Ashford, WA

The day begins at 7:00 AM in Ashford, Washington, at Whittaker’s Bunkhouse Cafe. Here, you’ll meet your guides and fellow climbers for a quick equipment check, introductions, and an overview of the day’s agenda.

From Ashford, we’ll take a scenic 45-minute drive to Paradise, winding through lush old-growth forests with glimpses of Mount Rainier. Upon arriving at the Paradise parking lot, we’ll hike approximately one mile to our “classroom” on the lower snowfields of Mount Rainier. Early in the season, this approach is entirely on snow.

Morning Session: Glacier Travel Basics
Our guides will start the instruction by demonstrating how to properly set up a rope for glacier travel, focusing on:

– Rope intervals: Adjusting rope length for varying terrain.
– Team communication: Effective strategies for staying connected on the rope.
– Route finding and hazard assessment: Identifying crevasse danger zones and safer pathways.

Midday Session: Knots, Anchors, and Rescue Preparation
At our classroom site, you’ll dive into hands-on skills like:

– Mastering essential knots and hitches, including prusik tying.
– Constructing snow and ice anchors for belaying, running protection, and rescue scenarios.

We’ll test all student-built anchors by fully weighting them to ensure they meet the demands of real-world use.

Afternoon Session: Crevasse Rescue Systems
After a short lunch break, we’ll focus on hauling systems for crevasse rescue, emphasizing mechanical advantage. You’ll learn to execute a 3:1 Z-Pulley rescue system as part of a three-person rope team. For smaller teams, we’ll also demonstrate (and may practice) the 2:1 Drop-C system.

By integrating earlier lessons—knots, prusiks, rope handling, and anchor construction—you’ll have the skills to confidently perform crevasse rescue scenarios.

Wrap-Up: Glacier Travel Practice
At around 4:00 PM, we’ll start our return hike to the Paradise trailhead. During the descent, you’ll reinforce proper glacier travel techniques under guide supervision. We’ll aim to arrive back at the parking lot by 5:00 PM, concluding the day with a brief recap and Q&A session.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change based on weather, snow conditions, and group progress.

1 Day Course FAQS

Please note you will be emailed specific information for your climb upon registration. The following is to serve as a helpful guideline.

What knots should I practice prior to arrival?

We recommend practicing the figure eight, overhand on a bight, butterfly, clove hitch, munter hitch, prussik hitch, klemheist hitch, and autoblock hitch.

Where do I stay the night before and after the course ?

Our course begins in Ashford, Washington at 7:00AM. Here are some lodging options in Ashford that climbers have used in the past:

Whittaker’s Bunkhouse
Phone: (360) 569-2439
Website

Nisqually Lodge
Phone: (360) 569-8804
Website

Alexander’s Lodge
Phone: (360) 569-2300
Website

There are many Ashford rental options on AirBNB as well.

What do I need to bring?

When you sign up for a course we will send you a confirmation package that includes an equipment list detailing each piece of equipment you will need. Please read your equipment list very carefully. You are required to bring every item on the list so be as precise as possible when packing. Alpine Ascents rents quality technical equipment at reasonable rates. If you have any equipment-related questions please call us (206-378-1927). You can also email us at: [email protected] We have a full-time gear expert on staff.

Where do I pick up my rental gear for the climb?

Rental gear is available at our facility in Lower Queen Anne, Seattle. You can arrange a time to pick up your rental gear with our gear department by emailing [email protected]

Where is a good, trustworthy store to purchase gear?

We run our own retail climbing shop and online gear store, where all Alpine Ascents climbers receive a discount and can receive personalized advice from our gear experts.

I am concerned that the gear I am renting will not fit or work properly.

The boots, packs, crampons, ice axes, tents, and other items are cleaned and checked on a daily basis. Gear is sized at the gear check and changes can be made at that time. All of our gear is of the highest quality. Please note that double plastic boots do not break in.

What kind of experience do I need to participate in this course?

We recommend participants have prior experience traveling on snow in crampons as well as self-arrest training.

Is food provided on my course?

No. Students will need to bring a lunch and ample snack food.

How many students/guides are there per class?

This course has a maximum 4:1 climber to guide ratio.

Reading List

This is a highly recommended shortlist. We are happy to pass along a longer reading list for those interested. These links will bounce to Amazon.com with reviews.