Basic Glacier Climbing Course
Applications for the 2024 year have closed. To those of you who applied, we will let you know if you qualified at the end of March.
Applications for 2025 will start Jan 2025. Come back to this page for details in Jan.
Want to learn some basic climbing skills? Looking to have fun in the mountains and make new friends?
The Basic Glacier Climbing Course will provide the instruction of glacier travel skills
that you will need to climb the big volcanoes of the Cascades. The
course will also introduce you to a fun and friendly climbing community. If
you are a hiker, backpacker or gym climber dreaming of new heights, the
Bushwhacker Glacier Course is a great start!
The course consists of Tuesday evening lectures, plus four field trips - see schedule below.
There are two sections, each section composed of six students, assistants and one instructor. Each section
has its own outings, but both sections share the evening lectures. The lectures are from 7:00pm-9:30pm. Location is TBD (most likely Bellevue Community College).
The first and second field trips are full-day
outings. The third field trip is an overnight. The fourth field trip
is four days and three nights in the mountains. The four-day field trip
features a summit climb attempt of Mt Baker. All field trips require
full days of activity.
Course Requirements
Applicants should have some basic hiking and backpacking experience as well as comfort moving on steep terrain. Some outings will be strenuous with long days and applicants should be in good physical condition. Collaboration and effective communication are essential aspects of working in a team, particularly when it comes to rope travel.
Students will need the following equipment to participate in this course. We will talk a great deal about specific gear in the lectures - we advise course participants to hold off on new gear purchases until after the classroom discussions. Some gear can be rented, as well:
- Mountaineering boots
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Compass (simple base plate compass preferred)
- Suitable outdoor clothing
- Overnight camping equipment & backpack (the club provide stoves & tents)
Application
Applications for our glacier course are accepted in February (2025). Please note that the number of available seats is based on the Club's ability to support two sections.
Selected applicants will be notified in early March and all other applicants will be on a wait list. There is a wait list every year.
Note: You do not have to join the club in order to submit your application. If you take the class or you would just like to join the club, then you need should fill out the club membership form.
Location
The plan for 2025 is to offer the class over in Seattle. We are currently looking for a location.
Cost
The course costs $425 (2024). In addition, club membership is required, which costs $35. Students provide their personal gear, clothing, food, and transportation. The club provides group gear such as tents, ropes, stoves and fuel.
2025 Course Schedule
The Basic Glacier Course includes Tuesday night lectures. Outings are every other weekend in May and June. The course pretty much follows this routine every year. We always deliberately avoid Memorial Day weekend.
Here is the draft 2025 schedule:
Apr 29
|
Classroom |
Introduction, Physical Conditioning, Gear I |
May 3
|
Mt Si |
Field Outing I (Team 1), Team Building |
May 4
|
Mt Si |
Field Outing I (Team 2), Team Building |
|
|
May 6
|
Classroom |
Gear II
Navigation with Map & Compass Part 1 |
|
|
|
May 13
|
Classroom |
Navigation with Map & Compass Part 2 |
| May 17 |
Stevens Pass |
Field Outing II (Team 1), Snow Travel Skills |
| May 18 |
Stevens Pass |
Field Outing II (Team 2), Snow Travel Skills |
|
|
May 20
|
Classroom |
Gear III |
May 27
|
Classroom |
Roped Travel |
May 31
June1 (Team 1 & 2) |
|
Field Outing III, Roped Travel Skills, overnight |
|
|
June 3
|
Classroom |
Hazard Recognition & Avoidance, Glaciology |
|
|
|
June 10
|
Park |
Prusik Practice
Team 1 Pack Check
Team 2 Pack Check |
|
|
|
| June 12-15 |
Mt Baker |
Field Outing IV, Glacier Travel Skills (Team 1) |
| June 17 |
- |
No class |
| June 19-22 |
Mt Baker |
Field Outing IV, Glacier Travel Skills (Team 2) |
|
|
|
| June 24th |
TBD |
Course Completion Graduation Night |