The Alpine Finishing School |
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This six day course is designed to provide the aspiring
lady alpinist with the skills necessary to move fluidly
during an ascent of one of the world class alpine mountaineering
climbs in the North Cascades. Join your sister debutantes
and our skilled female instructors in learning the concepts
and practice of snow, ice, glacier, and rock climbing
techniques. Cooperation and camaraderie are some of
the greatest benefits of these types of activities and
we will foster an atmosphere of fun, teamwork, and learning.
The finale of the course will be a student led ascent
utilizing newfound skills and confidence . This course
aims to prepare participants for a lifetime of competent
mountain travel.
Day One –
Day 1- Meet at the Guide Shop in Mazama for introduction
to course leaders and other participants. We will then
head to our local climbing area. The day will be started
with gear familiarization and equipment check. We will
spend the remainder of the day on ropework, knots, harness
fitting, belaying, rappelling and beginning rock climbing
movement techniques. We will then review packing and
equipment needs for the Washington Pass ascent on day
two. We will conclude with a group stretch and campfire
supper at the early winters campground where we can
socialize and enjoy a meal near the pristine Early Winters
creek. Participants may camp at the group campground
or can book lodging nearby. Join us for dinner regardless!
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Dawn rest stop on Mt.Shuksan.
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Day Two – We will rendezvous
at the group campsite bright and early for our first
alpine rock ascent at Washington Pass. We will then
carpool up to the pass and will spend the day putting
our rock and rope skills to the test while we enjoy
each others company and take in the wonderful alpine
views. The day will conclude with another scrumptious
catered meal at the group campsite. The remainder of
the evening will be spent packing food and gear in preparation
for our next four days.
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Day Three - Five –We
will head out and drive to the Cascade River Road access
(three hours from Mazama) where we will hike into our
base camp- deep in the glaciated terrain of the Boston
Basin area. After setting up camp we will spend the
next couple of days on skills including; snow and ice
climbing techniques, crampon use and ice axe arrest,
snow and rock anchors, map and compass, route finding
and navigation, crevasse rescue , leave no trace ethics,
introduction to avalanche hazard evaluation and other
topics as time allows. The final day will be spent on
a student led objective or climb.
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Day Six –We
will pack up camp and make our way back to the car.
Depending on group motivation we could add a side day
hike or a traverse objective into our itinerary. Wrap
up will take place in Marble Mount at the famous "GOOD
FOOD" restaurant next to the beautiful skagit river.
This will be a great time to ask questions, exchange
addresses and plan future trips!
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to be covered in the Alpine Finishing School are as follows:
Climbing Skills:
- Selection and use of personal
equipment
- Selection and use of ropes,
knots, and harnesses
- Selection and use of rock,
snow, & ice anchors for belays & intermediate protection
- Belaying techniques on rock,
snow, and ice
- Free climbing techniques
on low and high angle rock, snow, and ice
- Principles of glacier travel
& route finding
- Self-arrest; rappelling,
& prusiking
- The concept and application
of the self-belay
- Individual & team crevasse
rescue techniques
- Various rope configurations
- Roping up - How far apart
- Tying off excess rope
- Prussik systems
- Ascending the rope
- Team rope travel
- Probing for hidden crevasses
- Arresting a crevasse fall
- Multiple rescue and pulley
systems; 2:1, 3:1, 6:1, 9:1 etc.
Students will have the majority
of the day to practice crevasse rescue in a variety
of teams. The most difficult being the two person team
where the entire rescue is performed by one person.
We feel it is important to have each student run through
this life saving rescue procedure at least once.
General Knowledge:
- Leave No Trace travel, camping,
and climbing
- An introduction to alpine
ecology
- Map and compass: reading,
intersection, and triangulation
- Evaluation and prediction
of mountain weather patterns
- Introduction to avalanche
hazard evaluation
- Introduction to first aid
and the evacuation of injured climbers
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| Dates for The Alpine Finishing
School for 2005 |
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This course
can be scheduled with custom dates or followed up with
an additional peak ascent.
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| COST: |
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These courses are offered at significantly lower prices
than our private guiding rates, though we maintain our
commitment to low ratio guiding here as well.
2006 rates TBA
Included in the price of the course:
Click here to print equipment
list for Alpine Finishing School .
Food
Planning for the mountains
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