Badge
Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course
DESCRIPTION OF SKILLS
The holder of this badge has successfully completed our Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course and/or has demonstrated proficiency in these skills:
- Rescue methods, including construction of rescue anchors, raising systems, and lowering systems
- Rock climbing, leading and swinging leads on mid-5th class rock, including: constructing belay anchors using SRENE principles, placing passive and active protection so it will hold a fall, Using natural anchors such as trees, horns, rocks, and other features, constructing multidirectional anchors, and using slings to manage rope drag and minimize movement of protection devices
- Ice climbing, leading and swinging leads on alpine ice up to 45 degrees, including: flat-footing and front-pointing crampon technique, using ice tools, placement of ice protection, including pickets and ice screws, construction and use of ice anchors for belaying, construction and use of ice anchors for rappelling, including the v-thread anchor, and running belays on low angle ice and hard snow
- Winter mountaineering, including: winter camping, application of climbing skills in winter conditions, and emergency winter shelters
- Level I avalanche training
- Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (Graduation from a MOFA course or equivalency)
- Group Leadership, including trip planning and group dynamics
WHAT DOES THIS BADGE ALLOW ME TO DO?
- Those who hold this badge can participate in Intermediate Alpine Climbs, Basic Alpine Climbs, Intermediate Climbing Course field trips and anything that the Basic Alpine Climbing Badge is required to participate. Searches for upcoming trips of these types are below.
- Intermediate Alpine Climbs
- Rope Lead on Basic Alpine Climbs
- Teach at Intermediate Climbing Course field trips
- Everything that one who holds our Basic Alpine Climbing Course Badge may do
HOW DO I GET THIS BADGE?
courses
To receive this badge, you must successfully complete the Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course of study, of which the Basic Alpine Climbing Course or an equivalent is a prerequisite. This course also requires at least six successful basic climbs as a rope leader, including two Basic Rock climbs and two Basic Glacier climbs, and at least five intermediate climbs, including two Intermediate Rock climbs and two Intermediate Ice climbs.
Equivalency
The Intermediate Alpine Climbing Course Badge may be granted to members who have relevant experience and can demonstrate proficiency in a variety of applicable skills. To connect with an equivalency coordinator at your branch, contact info@mountaineers.org.