Intro to Mountaineering Course

Day 1: Fundamentals

We’ll rendezvous at our office in Bellingham for orientation and gear check. After caravaning to the TH, we’ll ascend to high camp, and spend the afternoon covering fundamentals such as knots and hitches for mountaineering.

Day 2: Glacier Travel

Instructors will introduce snow climbing techniques such as cramponing and ice axe arrest. Students will learn how to rig a rope team for glacier travel. We’ll practice our new skills around crevasses on the Coleman Glacier. The day will finish with snow anchors.

Day 3: Crevasse Rescue

We’ll ascend the mountain and find a suitable crevasse. Instructors will introduce and demonstrate the concepts of mechanical advantage and haul systems. Students will team up and practice all aspects of crevasse rescue, as both rescuers and victims.

Day 4: Summit Day

Students will plan/prep a climb and take turns leading the group to the summit of Mount Baker! Along the way, we’ll practice identifying and mitigating crevasse hazard via rope management and route finding. We’ll summit and descend to the trailhead.