Three Day Alpine Ice Climbing Course
Our three-day Alpine Ice Climbing Course teaches the skills and techniques necessary to efficiently and confidently climb moderately steep ice, such as the 70-80 degree slopes encountered on Mount Baker’s North Ridge. This program is ideal for aspiring alpinists who are already familiar with glacier travel and mountaineering skills and wish to expand their adventures into more technical terrain with sections of steep snow and alpine ice. Successful completion of the course fulfills the prerequisites for both the North Ridge of Baker and the Kautz Glacier summit climb.
The training takes place on the Lower Coleman Glacier of Mount Baker, originally named Koma Kulshan, where towering seracs, icy blue crevasses, and steep ice walls offer a plethora of climbing terrain for beginners all the way to advanced-level climbers. Participants can expect two full days of hands on instruction and ice climbing practice in addition to a review of essential glacier travel techniques.
Skills Covered in 3-Day Alpine Ice Climbing Course
Gear selection for alpine ice terrain
Crampon usage and techniques
Use of ice tools
Movement techniques and body positioning on low, moderate, and steep ice
Belaying skills
Descent strategies- rappels, lowers
Ice / steep snow protection – ice screws, pickets
Risk management and objective hazard evaluation
Leave No Trace travel, camping, and climbing
Prerequisites
Experience ascending and descending steep snow slopes
Basic ice axe skills
Self-arrest
Cramponing
I enjoyed it and the guides where great. It is a lot to learn in a short period of time, but being able to apply it to the Rainier climb right away was awesome!
