Intensive Basic Alpine Climbing Course

PLEASE NOTE CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY IN LEADER NOTES BELOW.

The Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course compresses the regular Basic Alpine Climbing Course (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 good physical condition and have completed all the assigned reading by day 1.

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. Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

Intense Basic Climbing Course Website 

CAUTION: SOME COURSE DETAILS ARE PRELIMINARY. PLEASE USE THE INTERNET TO GET CURRENT INFORMATION RATHER THAN RELYING ON SAVED WEB PAGES.

Leader Notes

APPLICATION and REGISTRATION - THIS IS A 2 STEP PROCESS.

1. FIRST you need to apply and be accepted via Intense Basic Application.  

2. SECOND after you have been accepted you must register in order to keep your place in the course, so the next step is for you to register. If you want to pay the full fee now (member $975, non-member $1,085) you can register online via Intense Basic Registration   If you want to pay $200 now to hold your place in the course with the balance (member $775, non-member $885) due by May 30, you will need to call The Mountaineers membership services at 201-521-6001 during office hours to register and pay the $200 and again later to pay the balance. Acceptance will be done as applications are received from registration opening through May 30. Your enrollment is not completed until you have 1. applied and been accepted and 2. registered and paid fee. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY. The total fee for the Intense Basic Alpine Climbing Course, (instruction June 14-22, climbing through October 2014) is member  $975, non-member $1,085.  $200 is due upon applying for the course to hold your place and is non refundable unless you are not accepted or the class is cancelled. The remaining $775 (or $885 non-member) must be paid by May 30 at the latest. If it is necessary to drop out for whatever reason after May 30 but before the first class session starts June 14, $500 will be returned and the remainder, $475 will be credited toward the price of the regular or Intense BACC in the future. If a participant drops out for any reason after June 13, 2014 they will be granted 2nd year status and can take the regular or Intense BACC within the next 2 years at no additional fee.