Basic Glacier Travel Course

*AS A RESULT OF THE SUSPENSION OF ALL COURSES/ACTIVITIES/EVENTS UNTIL 5/4/20, WE WILL BE CANCELING THIS COURSE. CURRENT PARTICIPANTS MAY RECEIVE A FULL REFUND, DONATE THEIR COURSE FEE, OR TAKE THE COURSE NEXT YEAR AT NO EXTRA COST. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COURSE LEADER WITH YOUR PREFERENCE AND SEE THE COVID-19 RESPONSE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION*

Questions? Just email: glacier.climbing.seattle@gmail.com
2020 course: The course is full and we're no longer accepting  applications.
2021 course: The course will be listed online in the summer of 2020 with applications beginning in the fall.
Course description: This course covers the same glacier material as the Basic Alpine Climbing Course. Students/graduates of this course are able to sign up for Basic Glacier climbs just like students/graduates of the Basic Alpine Climbing Course (many more climbs will be listed on the website in a few months). In this course you'll learn to travel safely on glaciers while roped up and you'll also learn 2:1 and 3:1 crevasse rescue, crampon use, snow camping, ascending a rope, rappelling, snow anchors, etc. In addition to the workshops and field trips listed below, there will be a few midweek practice evenings which you'll want to attend as well as a conditioning hike in February.

Things to do before the course begins: Here are some things you could do before Workshop #1...
1) To graduate you also need to complete the Wilderness Navigation and Wilderness First Aid courses (to earn the badges listed at the bottom of this page if you don't already have them). The Seattle navigation course is only offered in the winter and spring, so sign up for that as soon as possible! Both courses are in high demand so the sooner you take them the better! You could take them in the fall, but why wait? Note that some of the spring courses might not be listed yet.
2) Buy the required course textbook Freedom of the Hills 9th Ed and start reading the chapters covering glacier climbing, crevasse rescue, snow travel, crampons, snow camping, rappelling, gear, knots, etc. There might be a quiz at Workshop #1. Also this glacier travel book by Andy Selters is optional but recommended.
3) You'll be required to sign up for a special conditioning hike on a weeknight or weekend in late February along I-90. There will be multiple dates offered. More info about these as the date gets closer.

To graduate: You have 1.5 years (until Oct 31, 2021) to finish these items and graduate...
> Earn the 4 badges listed at the bottom of this page, and have them show in your profile when you apply for graduation (Nav & First Aid expire after 36 months, Stewardship expires after 12 months).
> Complete all course workshops and field trips. There won't be makeup dates so make sure you can attend one of the dates for each activity listed below. Note that Workshop #1 is only offered once.
> Go on one Basic Glacier climb with The Mountaineers and summit.

Cancellation policy: If you cancel on or before March 5th then you get a full refund less a $10 processing fee. No refunds on or after March 6th.