Basic Glacier Climbing Course
If you would like to submit an application for the 2025 Glacier Course, follow this link to access the submission form. The submission window closes at the end of Feb 2025.
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.
The lectures are from 7:00pm-9:30pm.
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 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. Weather permitting, 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
For 2025, the lectures will be held at The Good Shephard Center located in Wallingford.
Prussik Practice is typically at Marymoor Park in Redmond
Weather and conditions permitting, the field outings are held along highway 90, highway 2 and on Mt Baker.
Cost
The course costs $475 (2025). 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
Gear III |
|
|
|
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 |
Roped Travel Skills |
May 27
|
Classroom |
Expedition Gear and Food |
|
|
|
May 31
June1 (Team 1 & 2) |
|
Field Outing III, Roped Travel Skills, overnight |
|
|
June 3
|
Classroom |
Z Pulley Demo
Hazard Recognition & Avoidance, Glaciology
|
|
|
|
June 10
|
Park |
Prusik Practice
Team 1 Pack Check
|
|
|
|
June 12-15 |
Mt Baker |
Field Outing IV, Glacier Travel Skills (Team 1) |
|
|
|
June 17 |
Classroom |
Topic TBD
Team 2 Pack Check |
June 19-22 |
Mt Baker |
Field Outing IV, Glacier Travel Skills (Team 2) |
|
|
|
June 24th |
TBD |
Course Completion Graduation Night |