Learn the essentials of crevasse rescue in a beautiful alpine setting.
Crevasse rescue is part and parcel to every successful mountaineer’s toolkit. Whether you are trying to learn the basics or refresh your skills before a bucket list peak bagging trip, this course is meant to give you the tools you need to step out with your team on the glacier knowing you have your teammates’ backs should someone fall into a hole!
This course can range from 2-4 days long, depending on how much you and your team want reps with crevasse rescue systems and if you want to put these skills into practice under supervision through a summit bid! Shorter trips will focus strictly on targeting skills for crevasse rescue and are geared for folks who want directed practice on essential skills. Longer trips are geared towards climbers who want to put the ensemble of skills together–from making a rope team to crevasse rescue, to summit day team management. This course has something for all skill levels.
The course will take place either on Mount Shuksan, the iconic, alps-looking peak of the North Cascades or on Mount Baker, the crowning volcano of North Cascades National Park. Either way, prepare to level up your crevasse rescue game in an incredible alpine setting!
Trip Stats
Duration: 2-4 days
Cost: $800 (2 days), $1000 (3 days), $1300 (4 days)
Difficulty: variable
Skill Level: Intermediate
Fitness Requirement: 3/5 (for skills only); 4/5 (summit bid included)
Itinerary (2-day)
This itinerary is meant for climbers simply looking to get a skills workshop in on a real glacier but without a summit bid.
Day 1: Early meet up at trailhead; approach to camp (~3 hours for Mt. Baker); set up camp; rope ascension, anchor building, and hauling system practice.
Day 2: Early start; continue building systems and getting repetitions; students will get to haul teammates from a crevasse if time allows; pack up camp; descend to trailhead.
Itinerary (3-day)
This itinerary is meant for climbers who are already familiar with glacier rope team travel AND some of the basics of crevasse rescue but want to hone their skills on a glacier. A summit bid may be included.
Day 1: Meet at trailhead; hike into base camp; establish camp; rope team travel review (if necessary); rope ascension, anchor building, hauling systems
Day 2: Travel to an actual crevasse where students can practice a live rescue (at the discretion of the instructor); prepare for summit day (optional)
Day 3: Optional summit bid OR return to crevasse for more live practice; pack up camp; descend
Itinerary (4-day)
This itinerary is meant to provide the greatest amount of learning time for climbers who both want to learn about rope team travel and get exposure to crevasse rescue. This itinerary leaves the most room for a summit bid, if conditions permit
Day 1: Meet at trailhead; hike into base camp; establish base camp; knots clinic and intro to rope team travel
Day 2: Review of rope team travel; rope ascension, anchor building, and hauling systems; student-led reps on crevasse rescue practice; prepare for summit day
Day 3: Student led summit bid under instructor’s supervision
Day 4: Travel to an actual crevasse where students can practice a live rescue (at the discretion of the instructor); pack up camp; descend to trailhead.
What skills do you need?
Knowledge of fundamental climbing and mountaineering knots and hitches
Experience being on a glacier rope team
Rappelling experience
Want to develop more of your mountain skills before signing up for this trip? The trips below can help you get ready!
Other Trip Info
What’s included in the trip?
Professional guiding and instruction services for the duration of the trip.
Access permits
Group climbing equipment
Group camping equipment
What’s NOT included in the trip?
Lunches and snacks to eat while on the mountain.
Guest’s individual climbing, cooking and camping gear.
Transportation. However, carpooling can be arranged, if necessary.
Gear
Guests are responsible for providing their own climbing equipment for this style of alpine trip.
For camping, personal tents are encouraged, but they are not required. Ask for more details.
For a complete list of the gear you will need, download the packing list here.
Meals
Dinner and breakfasts are provided. Lunches and snacks are the responsibility of the guests. Reasonable accommodations can be made for those with food allergies and/or dietary restrictions.