Get High in the Cascades

UPDATED!!! - 2010 Basic Mountaineering Course with Skagit Alpine Club – UPDATED!!!

Ever wanted to explore the Cascade Mountains that are right in your backyard? Have you done some hiking, but would like to go past the end of the trail? Are you just a bit curious about rock climbing, but want to learn it in a safe environment, from skilled climbers with years of experience?

Well, Skagit Alpine Club is the place to start!!! For 50 years, we’ve been providing mountaineering instruction to residents of northwestern Washington through our basic mountaineering course.  This 10-week course will begin the week of March 29^th.  Weekly classroom sessions will be held one night a week, with outings every weekend. The course covers the following:

• Mountaineering gear and equipment
• Physical conditioning, training and nutrition
• Basic rock climbing instruction, including rope handling, knots, belaying and rappelling
• Mountain weather, snow and avalanche assessment, and basic snow travel skills
• Mountaineering first-aid
• Camping techniques and equipment
• Map and compass/route finding
• Glacier travel and crevasse rescue

Outings include basic hiking and scrambling, rock climbing, technical alpine climbing, and culminates with an opportunity to summit Mt. Baker. Excellent physical condition is a must, though all ages and technical skill levels are welcome.

The textbook is, "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, Vol. 7", available at most local climbing shops or by ordering through local bookstores.

The 2010 Basic Mountaineering Course is a go!!! Prospective students should understand the following:

·          The course is now open for registration on a “first come-first served” basis until the student roster is filled

·          Tuition is $180 (not including a $20 gear fee to be paid at the first class)

·          Register by downloading, completing and mailing the student registration form, along with your tuition to: Skagit Alpine Club, P.O. Box 1054, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

·          Personal health insurance is required (sorry, this is a requirement of our insurance!)

·          Missing class sessions and/or outings these may limit your ability to participate in future outings

·          Good physical condition at the onset of the class is essential

·          A complementary one-year membership to Skagit Alpine Club

·          Students are entitled to discounts at several local mountaineering retailers

If you need more information contact the lead instructor Chris Danilson or Club President Jason Griffith.