Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course   - Seattle - 2015

Climbing Course

Intensive Basic Alpine Climbing Course

UPDATE: NO FURTHER APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.ALL PENDING APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE RESPONSE 6/10/15 (UPDATED 6/9/15) The Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course compresses the regular BACC (6 months of 5 lectures and 8 days of 7 field trips) into 9 continuous and full days. It is a comprehensive and thorough program in training to become a competent climbing partner on technical rock, snow, and glacier climbs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

 Please Note:
  1. Apply first, 2. be Accepted and 3. then Register ==>

Please Note:    Intense Basic additional Cancellation and Refund Policy

The Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course compresses the regular BACC (6 months of 5 lectures and 8 days of 7 field trips) into 9 continuous and full days. It is a comprehensive and thorough program in training to become a competent climbing partner on technical rock, snow, and glacier climbs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. You will need to be in full condition and have completed all the assigned reading by day 1.

The fee includes the course (not including Navigation and First Aid),

  • a soft cover and eVersion of Freedom of the Hills, 8th ed.,  

  • Accidents in North American Mountaineering,

  • transportation to/from Magnuson for field trips away from the Magnuson Program Center,

  • 2 light "meals" (coffee & rolls, pizza/subways), when we are at the Program Center,

  • any permit fees for field trips away from the Magnuson Program Center.  

Other transportation, meals, lodging, gear, incidentals are not included.  We would be happy to recommend lodging which would be convenient for public transportation.

Skills taught include belaying and rope handling, rappelling, 5th class rock climbing, snow/glacier climbing, back-country camping including snow camping, guidance on gear purchases and conditioning, and more. Participants are trained to become solid and competent participants in the realm of alpine climbing on rock and glacier summits in the Pacific Northwest.

The course format will be a combination of class lectures, in-town field trips, small group instruction at local crags and alpine climbs in the mountains during the summer, and graduation/reunion in the fall. The course is a large time commitment and requires the purchase of several hundred dollars of gear, especially if you do not currently own much hiking or backpacking gear. Even so, beyond course fees, you can expect to spend at least $500-$700 in climbing gear. Not all things need to be purchased right away, and some things can be borrowed from friends or rented from local gear shops, but be aware there will be an investment.

Some things to keep in mind: This is not rock climbing at the crags, it's alpine climbing in the mountains on rock and snow. There are no refunds beyond the first day and only partial refunds prior to then. (see link) Alpine climbing with The Mountaineers is an awesome opportunity to go to places in the mountains only few ever get to go; to experience instant trust, bonding, and community not readily available in normal day to day life, all while pushing your physical limits and achieving personal goals. We welcome you to your new adventures.

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

If you have little or no climbing experience, it might be better NOT to purchase any technical climbing equipment until after the Meet 'N Greet on may 26, 2015.  This includes boots. Much more information is contained in "Intense Basic student handbook - 2015" (pages 12-19), accessible through "course materials" tab.

 Gear Matrix

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT (X),
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (O)

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

Rock Climbs 

Glacier Climbs 

9/16” or 1” tubular nylon webbing as follows:

Gloves (wool/synthetic)

X

X

  • Three 5 ft runners, color A

X

X

Second pair gloves/mittens(T)

O

  • Two 9 ft runners, color B

X

X

Mitten shells (overmitts)

O

X

  • Chest harness: one 8 ft, color C 

X

X

Day pack (frameless or rucksack)(4)

X

O

  •  One nylon 120 cm sewn runner, one nylon 60 cm sewn runner

 X

 X

 

 

 

5mm or 6mm perlon as follows:

Overnight pack (internal or external) (4)

Note 5

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color D

X

X

Compass(T)

X

X

  • Prusiks (length per chart), color E

X

X

Map of climbing destination(T)

X

X

  • Tie-off (hero) loop 4 ft, color E

X

X

Sunglasses/eye protection(T)

X

Commercial seat harness

X

X

Glacier glasses w/side shields(T)

X

Leather belay gloves

X

X

Sunscreen(T)

X

X

Climbing helmet

X

X

Lip balm w/sun protection(T)

X

X

Six non locking carabiners (no Nano/ Mini)

X

X

Insulating sit-pad

O

O

Three locking carabiners

X

X

Headlamp (T)

X

X

Munter Hitch carabiner (1)

X

X

Extra batteries (and bulb if not LED)(T)

X

X

Rescue pulley (SMC “CR” or Petzl Mini)

X

First Aid Kit(T)

X

X

Ice Ax

X

Waterproof matches or lighter(T)

X

X

Front-point crampons

X

Fire starter(T)

X

X

Chock Pick

X

Knife(T)

X

X

Belay Device

X

X

Food

X

X

Insulating hat (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Extra food(T)

X

X

Sun hat or bandanna

X

X

Water bladder/bottle (wide mouth) (T)

X

X

Underwear (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Second water container(T)

X

X

Thermal base layer--pants and LS shirt (wool or synthetic)

X

X

Water filter or purification method  (one per 2-3 climbers) (T)

Note 6

X

Shirt/Sweater, SL and LS  (wool/synth)

X

X

Emergency shelter (T)

X

X

Thermal insulating layer jacket

X

X

Paper and pencil (or waterproof pen)

X

X

Wind shell jacket (2)

O

O

Toilet kit

X

X

Rain shell jacket, breathable(T)

X

X

Sleeping bag

Note 5

X

Pants (wool/synthetic)

X

X

Insulating pad

Note 5

X

Second pair pants (wool/synthetic)

O

O

Tent (can be shared) or bivy bag

Note 5

X

Rain pants, breathable (3)

X

X

Stove and fuel (one per two climbers)

Note 5

X

Gaiters (full length)

X

Pot (one per stove)

Note 5

X

Boot Socks (wool/synthetic) 2 pair

X

X

Bowl and/or cup

Note 5

X

Liner socks(T)  2 pair

O

O

Spoon

Note 5

X

Mountaineering boots

X

X

Ear Plugs/ Eye cover

Note 5

0


GEAR MATRIX NOTES:
  1. The Munter Hitch requires an oversize pear-shaped carabiner (“pearabiner”) with a locking sleeve.

  2. Due to the abrasive quality of rock, using an inexpensive wind shell jacket can be desirable instead of potentially tearing up an expensive rain jacket when used for just dealing with wind.

  3. A full-length side zipper is very desirable.

  4. Instead of two separate packs, a large internal frame pack that can be compressed for day climbs may be used.

  5. You will need overnight gear on some rock, alpine and glacier climbs.

  6. It may be necessary to filter or purify water on long day trips.

     T:   Ten Essentials items

All personal equipment should be marked with the owner’s name or initials in a prominent location to make identification easy in the event of loss, theft or when commingled with other people’s equipment. Carabiners and similar articles should be marked with paint, enamel, nail polish, or electrical tape in a distinctive color or pattern.


Major local suppliers of outdoor and climbing equipment:

  • Eddie Bauer/ First Ascent Multiple locations across the area, check website for details www.eddiebauer.com
  • Feathered Friends 119 Yale Ave N, Seattle 206-292-2210 www.featheredfriends.com
  • Hilleberg the Tentmaker 425-883-0101 www.hilleberg.com
  • Mountain Hardwear 250 Pine Street, Seattle 206-441-2639 www.mountainhardwear.com
  • The North Face 1023 1st Ave, Seattle 206-622-4111 www.thenorthface.com 2682 NE Village Lane, Seattle 206-525-8500
  • Outdoor Research 2203 1st Ave S, Seattle 206-971-1496 www.outdoorresearch.com
  • Patagonia 2100 1st Ave, Seattle 206-622-9700 www.patagonia.com
  • Pro Mountain Sports 5625 University Way NE, Seattle 206-522-1627 www.promountainsports.com
  • REI Seattle - 222 Yale Ave N 206-223-1944 www.rei.com Redmond Town Center – 7500 166th Ave NE, Redmond 425-882-1158 Southcenter – 240 Andover Park W, Tukwila 206-248-1938 Alderwood -3000 184th St. W Suite 952, Lynnwood, WA 425-640-6200 Issaquah - 735 NW Gilman Blvd 425-313-1660
  • Second Ascent 5209 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle 206-545-8810 www.secondascent.com
  • Wildernest 310 Winslow Way E, 206-780-8527 www.wildernestoutdoorstore.com

Course Materials
Name/Description
2023 IB Handbook.pdf