Mountaineering Class

Get High in the Cascades

Ever wanted to explore the Cascades 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?

Sign up for Skagit Valley College Mountaineering Course. Held Spring quarter at SVC, the class runs 10 weeks beginning April 1st! The course combines a weekly classroom lecture held on Tuesday nights from 6pm-9pm, with outings every weekend during the course.
The course covers the following:
  • Basic gear
  • Training and nutrition
  • Basic rock climbing instruction, including rope handling, knots, belaying and rappelling
  • 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
  • Cascades geology and weather
Outings include basic hiking and scrambling, rock climbing, technical alpine climbing, and finishes with an opportunity to summit Mt. Baker. Excellent physical condition is a must, though all ages and technical skill levels are welcome.

2008 Tentative Course Schedule
2007 Skills and Knowledge Schedule
2007 Class Flyer
Recommended Gear List (pdf file)*

Watch for the SVC spring course catalog, and register for the Mountaineering Course listed in the Community Education section. Registration begins in February, and the course fee is $200.00 + $25.00 gear fee.

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

If interested, have questions, or need more information, contact Paul Sherman at pshermanpt@verizon.net, or call Wade Bessett at (360) 770-0250 or bessettw@hotmail.com.


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