Tacoma Branch Climbing Program
The Tacoma Branch has an active and vibrant community of climbers. From sport-climbing at the crag, to classic alpine routes on big peaks, to peak-bagging in the obscure corners of the state, you are sure to find your passion and hone your skills here! Our smaller class sizes ensure that you will receive individual attention and find family and community with your fellow climbers.
If you want to take a step up from hiking, but not ready for the leap to technical climbing, our Alpine Scrambling Course might be the perfect place for you! Scramblers will learn the basics of off-trail travel to summit the rugged peaks of the Olympics and Cascades. Instruction covers proper equipment and clothing, route-finding, avalanche awareness and avoidance, rock and snow travel, ice-ax arrest, glissade techniques and wilderness ethics.
For those wanting to learn the fundamentals of rock climbing, we offer the Sport Climbing class in the fall. In this course, students will learn beginning climbing techniques and the basics of rope systems, including belaying and rappelling. We will begin learning to climb with the safety of a top-rope, but those wanting to push themselves to the next level can learn to lead climb as well.
For those wanting to learn the skills to climb technical routes in the mountains, we offer Basic Alpine Climbing, beginning in January and taking you through autumn. This class will teach you the necessary skills to climb the great glaciated and rocky peaks of the Cascades. The course consists of lectures, reading, and field trips. Upon completing the coursework, students will have the opportunity to participate in Mountaineers climbs under the leadership of experienced climbers. The Tacoma Basic class typically has a class-size of 45-60 people. Our smaller class sizes will help you get to know and bond with your climbing peers and instructors.
For Basic graduates or others with prior mountaineering experience, the Tacoma Branch offers Intermediate Alpine Climbing. The Intermediate course consists of many elements; climbing leadership, avalanche safety, leading trad rock routes, anchor building, and ice-climbing are just some of the skills you will learn in this course. Intermediate students also play an important role in the instruction of the Basic Climbing Course. Our intermediate course typically has a class size of 10-20 students, and takes 2-5 years to complete.
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TACOMA INTERMEDIATE ALPINE CLIMBING