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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
13 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Face, crack, and slab rock climbing technique, and multi-pitch alpine rock climbing
  • Belay techniques, rappelling, and rope management
  • Rock, snow and ice anchor selection, anchor construction, equalization, and use of intermediate protection for lead climbing
  • Moderate and steep snow and ice climbing, crampon usage techniques, and proper application of combined skills in a variety of terrain
  • Ice axe positioning, self arrest, and balance positioning
  • Glaciology and crevasse pattern prediction
  • Roped glacier travel, rope team management, route finding, and crevasse navigation
  • Crevasse self-rescue techniques (prussiking) and team crevasse rescue techniques
  • Navigation using maps, compasses, and altimeters
  • Hazard assessment including: discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards, assessment of avalanche danger, crevasse fall, rock and ice fall dangers
  • Discussions will include proper clothing and climbing gear for survival in the high mountains, mountain weather, alpine ecology, efficient, safe and self-dependent climbing techniques, and Leave No Trace ethics
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Mountain Climbing
Other: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Glaciers, Camping
$2395USD
Prices vary by date. Make sure to pick your departure date.
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8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
SAVE 5%
Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Alpine Climbing Course 13 Day - Level 1

This comprehensive snow, rock, and ice mountaineering course, set high in the magnificent North Cascades, is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge necessary to lead small groups in the alpine environment.
This comprehensive snow, rock, and ice mountaineering course, set high in the magnificent North Cascades, is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge necessary to lead small groups in the alpine environment. In order to develop a well rounded foundation of climbing experiences, each course includes ascents of different glaciated peaks and alpine granite spires, each with its own diverse and unique challenges. This 13-day course begins with two days of rock climbing instruction in the Icicle Canyon area of Leavenworth, WA. Students then participate in our 6-day Glacier Mountaineering Course in order to focus on the essentials of snow, ice and glacier climbing and to summit a glaciated peak. The final five days are “student led” and include an attempt of one or more technical peaks in the Cascades. This course provides motivated beginning climbers with the intensive hands-on experience necessary to move safely and efficiently over a wide diversity of climbing terrain. Completion of this course helps prepare climbers for participation on climbs such as Ama Dablam, Denali, the Polish Glacier Route on Aconcagua and many more challenging ascents in the Cascades and in the greater ranges of the world.

Course Locations: This course is conducted in several areas of the Cascades. The Glacier School will be held on one of the following major glaciated peaks: Mount Baker, Mount Adams, Eldorado Peak, Mount Shuksan or Mount Daniel. Rock climbing is taught primarily in the Icicle Creek Canyon in Leavenworth or at Mt. Erie, along the Washington coast. Ascents of a variety of peaks in the North Cascades National Park area finish off the course.
Day 1:
7:00 a.m. orientation. After an initial meeting and equipment check we drive to Leavenworth’s sunny Icicle Canyon where our rock climbing instruction begins. We start with a review of your rock climbing equipment, knots, proper belaying techniques and signals required for the day’s top-rope climbing. We will start with friction climbing to develop your balance and then incorporate both face and crack climbing techniques, before progressing to more challenging climbs. In the afternoon, placement of rock protection, top-rope set-up, rappel anchors, and rope management will round out the day’s activities.
Day 2:
The second day will continue with more rock climbing on a diversity of climbs and a review of the previous day’s lessons. Students will receive an introduction to the practice and application of lead climbing. This will include more practice with the placement and evaluation of removable and fixed protection, equalizing anchors, lead climbing strategy, equipment selection and multi-pitch climbing.
Day 3:
After an early rise, we drive to the Blue Lake trailhead and begin the 2 mile approach up to the base of the Early Winter Spires. Our first route in this impressive complex of massive spires and granite faces is up the South Arête of the South Spire (5.4). This is a great introductory multi-pitch alpine rock climb with a spectacular summit! This 600-foot climb follows a blocky arête where climbers stem, chimney, friction, and hand jam their way to the summit. Exposed down-climbing and a series of short and long rappels bring us down from the summit. After our descent to the trailhead we head back to our campground or down into Mazama for some food!
Day 4:
We head back up to Washington Pass for some more classic ‘alpine cragging!’ Today we tackle one of the great Cascades rock routes, the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell, the massive 7,720 foot spire which captivates the imagination of every climber who looks up at its granite faces. The route Fred Beckey scouted in 1946, and the route we ascend, follows a series of chimneys, crack systems and slabs for 400 feet up the Southwest face. From the summit we can look across to the summits of the Early Winter Spires, the Wine Spires, Cutthroat Peak, Kangaroo Ridge, and distant snow covered volcanoes, and dream of alpine routes yet to be climbed. After down climbing and rappelling, we descend the Blue Lakes trail and head west toward our glacier mountaineering objective.
Day 5:
After breakfast we head to the trailhead and begin our hike to base camp. The hike to base camp is very strenuous and can take 4-7 hours depending upon the particular approach and the fitness of the group. (This is where all of your training pays off!) We trek through lush ancient forests, high alpine meadows, and eventually snow covered areas en route to our high camp. After setting up base camp, we perform an equipment review, discuss Leave No Trace camping techniques, and discuss the fragile ecology of the alpine zone. If time allows, we hold a brief snow school covering the use of ice axes and snow climbing techniques.
Day 6:
Following breakfast, we hike to the glacier and continue learning snow-climbing techniques. Proper use of the ice axe, traveling in balance, self belay, and self-arrest will be covered. The afternoon is dedicated to teaching students the essential skills of glacier travel, such as navigation and route finding, glaciology, hazard assessment, knots, spacing of climbers, and rope management. We will also begin learning about placing various types of snow protection for use in the construction of snow anchors, belay techniques, and crevasse rescue. Students will get more practice placing pieces of snow protection and bollards and will then learn to equalize them to create a “bomber” anchor. Students will then learn the foundation for crevasse rescue pulley systems and then move on to more advanced pulley systems. A multitude of realistic crevasse fall scenarios will be addressed. We will conclude with a discussion of the mountain environment and methods of evaluating subjective and objective hazards.
Day 7:
Our groups will move to a high camp where the guides will lead a discussion of glacier camping skills. Day 6 provides students an additional opportunity to practice the crevasse rescue skills they learned the day before in addition to setting up and equalizing anchors in different snow conditions. An introduction to rappelling and steep snow and ice climbing will be presented with an emphasis on French, German, and American hybrid styles of crampon technique. Finally, every student will practice self-crevasse rescue (prussiking). That evening, we will make final preparations for our summit attempt.
Day 8:
After an early morning wake-up (1 a.m.) and a quick breakfast, we climb our way toward the summit. Today students apply the skills they have been practicing all week toward the ascent of a major glaciated peak. Depending on conditions and the pace of the group, it takes five to eight hours to reach the summit where you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views. After basking in a sense of accomplishment and enjoying a snack, students will navigate and lead the team down to high camp in time for a hot lunch. We break camp and hike to the trailhead and head back to Seattle, arriving late in the evening.
Days 9-13:
The next 5 days are dedicated toward the ascent(s) of one or more alpine peaks in the Cascades. Routes and mountains will be selected based upon students' ability level, interest, and route conditions. Potential itineraries could take students alpine cragging to the Washington Pass area where we can climb a series of routes on towering granite spires. Ascents of the classic Beckey Route on Liberty Bell (5.6) or the Northwest corner of South Early Winter Spire (5.9) are some of the routes we may choose. Climbers may then head back into the Cascades to tackle another alpine route such as the Fischer Chimneys on Mount Shuksan. This portion of the course allows students to have the opportunity to take a more active leadership role in trip planning, route finding, and climbing strategy.
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David W.
The trip was exactly what I was looking for. I particularly like the choose-your-own-adventure aspect of the 5-day extension.
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Ann P.
From the first meeting at Second Ascent, to goodbye at dropoff, there was nothing that could be improved upon. All three of my guides were so professional and knowledgeable, working together and individually. It was such a pleasure and honor to meet and get to know all of them! Our group was amazing, even though we were of diverse backgrounds, ages and skill levels. This did not hinder any of us from having the experience we all desired, even though most of us had differing goals. Great job!
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Chris M.
Never felt so beaten down as I did after the 13 day ACC and yet a day later I am thinking about what the next climb will be.
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Elodie G.
The trip was great with more than enough adrenaline! I would do it again without hesitation!
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Ground transportation
  • Tents
  • Group climbing equipment
  • Guide services
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Airfare
  • Transportation within Seattle
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Food in the mountains and restaurant meals
  • Cooking gear
  • Gratuities for guides
  • All personal climbing gear
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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