Get High in the Cascades

UPDATED!!  2012 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 alpine 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 year we are offering a 5-week course from April 30th through June 5th. There will be classroom sessions once a week from 6:00PM to 9:00PM, with the first meeting on Monday, April 30th, and weekly meetings on Tuesday evenings after that. In addition, there will be a one-day outing on Saturday, May 5th and overnight outings the rest of the weekends. The course covers the following:

• Mountaineering gear and equipment
• Physical conditioning, training and nutrition
• 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, technical alpine climbing, and culminates with an opportunity to summit Mt. Baker. Excellent physical condition is a must, though all technical skill levels are welcome.  The minimum age for attendance is 18.

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

The 2012 Basic Mountaineering Course is still in the planning stages. Prospective students should understand the following:

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

·          Tuition is $200 (not including a $25 gear fee to be paid at the first class)

·          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, and will be assessed throughout the class

·          A complementary one-year membership to Skagit Alpine Club is included

·          Students are entitled to discounts at several local mountaineering retailers

If you need more information or to request registration materials contact the lead instructor Jonathan Frostad.