This is a 2 day program designed to teach you the basics of rock climbing and enable you to apply it to alpine summit climb. This course is offered throughout the summer season with no previous experience required.

Day One – We start out at one of several local rock climbing sites where we can focus on all of the skills you will need to become a safe member of a climbing party. Topics will include:

• Use and care of equipment
• Belaying
• Variety of climbing techniques including;
• Crack climbing
• Face climbing
• Chimney climbing
• Mantling
• Laybacking
• Energy conservation
• Placing and cleaning protection
• Building anchors
• Multi pitch station management
• Rappelling
  

Day Two – We will head into the mountains early and put our new skills to the test. There are a number of classic moderate routes in the Washington Pass area from which we will choose a climb for our summit attempt. Among these are the South Arete of South Early Winter Spire, and The Beckey Route on Liberty Bell. Early season climbs may require the use of an ice axe on the approach, whereas later in the season climbs can be reached via a climbers trail in light hiking boots.

• May 14-15
• June 18-19

• July 23-24
• August 13-14

• September 10-11

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.

$250 per climber (min 2 climbers)
$350 for one climber
Maximum ratios: Day 1 – 4:1, Day 2 – 2:1

Click here to print equipment list for ITAR course.

Click here to read the June 2003 Outside magazine article featuring the Beckey Route as of the top 10 climbs in your development as a mountaineer: