Partners with Vertical World to bring Outdoor Climbing Skills to the Gym Experience! Take your rock climbing to the summit! This course builds on the elements of the Intro to Trad Climbing course (Days 1–2) with the added experience of climbing two classic alpine rock routes. It’s ideal for climbers interested in gaining confidence in the alpine environment.
- Dates: March 1, 9; April 4, 12, 24; May 4
- Duration: 1
- Level: Beginner
- Client Ratio: 4:1
- Cost: 1:1 $550 2:1 $255 per person
- Included: Instruction, group climbing equipment, crevasse rescue cards
- Not Included: Transportation, personal climbing equipment, meals
Join us for our One-Day Crevasse Rescue Course, designed to give climbers and skiers the essential skills the need to travel safely on glaciers. This intensive seminar focuses on practical techniques for rigging the rope for glacier travel as well as hauling systems, self-rescue, and partner rescue, with plenty of hands-on practice in realistic scenarios. Whether you’re preparing for a glacier climb in the Cascades, an expedition to Alaska, or ski mountaineering in the Alps, this course provides the confidence and competence you need to manage crevasse hazards effectively.
Our experienced guides emphasize a hands-on, experiential learning approach where you’ll spend most of the day practicing skills in the field. We keep the group size small to maximize individual coaching and ensure you leave with both the technical know-how and decision-making framework to apply these systems in real-world situations. This course is ideal for climbers new to glacier travel as well as those looking for a refresher before a bigger trip.
What You’ll Learn:
- Rigging rope systems for glacier travel
- Snow anchors construction and equilization for crevasse rescue
- Setting up and operating simple and complex hauling systems
- Techniques for self-rescue and ascending the rope
- Efficient communication and teamwork during a rescue
- Practical strategies for preventing crevasse falls in the first place
This is an intensively focused, one-day course, so students should arrive prepared with a solid foundation in basic knots and hitches. Before the course, please be comfortable tying a re-woven figure-8, figure-8 on a bight, overhand on a bight, clove hitch, prusik hitch, and a munter hitch. Having these skills in place ensures we can spend the day applying them to rescue systems and practicing real-world scenarios, making the most of our limited time together. Students taking this course should also already be familiar with ice axe, self-arrest, and cramponing techniques.
@Snoqualmie Pass, arrive 7:00 am, ready to go at 7:30am, perform a gear check and tour to our first site to work on the following:
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- Snow Anchors
- Mechanical Advantage Systems
- Rescue Systems
Technical Gear
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- Harness
- Climbing Helmet
- 2 Large Locking Carabiners
- 2 Small Locking Carabiner
- 5 Non-Locking Carabiners
- 1 pre-sewn third hand like a Hollow Block or 12″ 5-6 mm cord/prusik loop
- 1-2 120cm Slings
- 1 Petzl Tibloc or small prusik loop
- 1 Microtraxion & 1 Tibloc
- Crampons
- Ice Axe
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Upper Body
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- Lightweight base layer T-shirt or long sleeve polypropylene shirt
- Soft Shell
- 1 Down/synthetic jacket with hood
- 1 Hard shell jacket with hood Waterproof and breathable. roomy enough to fit over multiple layers.
- 1 pair light gloves
- Shell gloves or mitts
- Warm hat Wool or synthetic
- Balaclava or Buff
- Shade hat or baseball cap
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Lower Body
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- 1 pair heavy wool/synthetic socks Check boot fit with liner and wool socks on
- 1 pair lightweight long underwear
- Soft shell pants
- Shell pants Waterproof/breathable with full side zips, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best
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Backpack
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- Internal frame pack 2000-2500 cubic inch capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight
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Miscellaneous Equipment
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- GSunglasses 100% UV protection
- Personal first aid kit Basics: moleskin/blister kit, Band-Aids, first-aid tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, etc.
- Lip balm At least SPF 20,
- Sunscreen At least SPF 40
- Headlamp compact LED
- 2 water bottles 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene and 1 bottle holster, or
- Multi-tool.
- Bandana
- 1 small stainless steel thermos (Optional)
- Lunch
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WILL MY GUIDE (OR GUIDES) BE?
You will receive an introductory email with the instructor for your course. We are small company who enjoy working together in the mountains as well as highly skilled professionals who hold current Wilderness First Responder certification and are proficient in technical rescue and evacuation skills. Our guides are dedicated to the world of alpinism, many having first ascents and hold professional certifications with AIARE & AMGA. The AMGA is part of the IFMGA, which is the international body of certified mountain guides.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY GUIDES?
Tipping is considered standard practice in the guiding industry. Tipping amounts vary – so $15-20 per day per person/per guide is average that works well for the guides without a serious blow to your wallet. Often 10% of the course cost is a good rule-of-thumb. If you feel that the program was exceptional or substandard the tip can reflect that.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM BCAG?
No we work with Ascent Outdoors, they rent avalanche safety equipment, alpine touring, tele and split boards click here. Quantities are limited so please contact them as soon as possible if you are interested.
HOW HEAVY WILL MY PACK BE?
You will carry 10-15 pounds, which will include everything on the equipment list.
WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY THE BALANCE OF MY TRIP?
Payable when you make your reservation by check, or credit card.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
If you should decide to cancel your trip, BCAG must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date we receive written notice. You will be assessed a cancellation fee according to the following schedule:
90 to 22 days from trip departure – 50% of trip cost
30 days or less – 100% of trip cost
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO CHANGE THE DATES OF MY TRIP?
Schedule changes are subject to a $50 fee per person up to 2 weeks out and $100 less than 14 days from the start of the trip and may not be possible. If conditions or circumstances preclude running a scheduled program we reserve the right to make the decision as to whether the program will be canceled, rescheduled, or an alternative provided.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BC ADVENTURE GUIDES HAS TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
In the rare circumstance where we need to cancel a program you can reschedule without a fee or receive a refund on your deposit. If circumstances arise that force us to cancel a program that is already in progress we reserve the right to decide whether a refund or credit, at a prorated rate, will be issued. We are not responsible for cancellation fees or costs arising from your changed or cancelled flights, lodging, or other arrangements. We strongly recommend obtaining trip cancellation insurance from your travel agent.
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TRIP INSURANCE?
BCAG highly encourages the purchasing of trip cancellation and travel insurance on domestic trips and requires it on International trips. Europeans and Canadians use it because travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, loss of baggage and travel documents, baggage delays, medical expenses and emergency assistance.
Several options include Travelex or Travel Guard International at (1-877-248-8992) & www.travelguard.com for protecting your investment, however there are many companies to choose from and you may wish to do some individual research regarding which policy is right for you.
WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO LEAVE A RETURN HOME?
We often get this question because most people need to know how much total time they need to take off work. Our Avi and Ski Tours begin by 8 AM at the trailhead and return to the car by 3. Our return to Seattle on the last day typically allows you to get back between 5-7 with the descent and drive back.
