Itinerary
Leaders of Tomorrow – Rock Camp Itinerary
Please keep in mind that this is a standard, yet loose, itinerary. It is subject to change depending on conditions, weather, group dynamics, pace, and summit strategies.
Program Details
Leaders of Tomorrow – Rock Climbing Camp is a 6-day program for teens ages 15-17 that introduces outdoor rock climbing, camping, and leadership skills. Students learn climbing techniques, rappelling, anchor systems, and outdoor living while building confidence, teamwork, and sound decision-making in the outdoors. It is the first half of AAI’s Leaders of Tomorrow – Summit Camp program.
Itinerary
Day 1
Rendezvous at AAI
Students will travel to Bellingham, Washington, where they will meet at the American Alpine Institute at 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, students will complete a gear check and pick up any rental equipment included with their tuition. If additional gear is needed, it can be purchased through the AAI Equipment Shop. The group will then enjoy dinner together at a local Bellingham restaurant, with all meals included in the program tuition. The evening is an opportunity to meet fellow participants, become familiar with the program, and receive an introduction to the equipment that will be used throughout the course. Overnight accommodations will be at a frontcountry campground with access to the program van.
Day 2
Students will spend the day building a strong foundation in outdoor rock climbing. Instruction covers the selection and use of personal climbing equipment, essential knots and hitches, climbing commands, movement on rock, belaying, and rappelling. In the afternoon, the group will visit a local grocery store to purchase food for the remainder of the course, learning how to plan and shop for backcountry meals. Back at camp, students will receive an introduction to camp stoves and begin developing the skills needed for efficient backcountry cooking. Overnight accommodations will be at a frontcountry campground with access to the program van.
Day 3
Students will review the knots learned on the previous day before expanding their technical skills with additional essential climbing knots, including the figure-eight on a bight, Munter hitch, overhand knot, water knot, barrel knot, and autoblock hitch. They will also be introduced to climbing guidebooks and route topos, learning how to interpret route information for outdoor climbing. Throughout the day, students will gain hands-on experience placing and removing both passive and active rock protection, while continuing to build their backcountry living skills by preparing meals and cooking at camp. Overnight accommodations will be at a frontcountry campground with access to the program van.
Day 4
Students will continue refining the knots introduced earlier in the course while learning several advanced knots and hitches, including the double bowline, double fisherman’s knot, mule hitch, Klemheist hitch, and Prusik hitch. The day will also focus on developing movement skills on more challenging rock terrain, helping students build confidence, efficiency, and technique as they progress to intermediate climbs.
Day 5
Students will return to Mt. Erie for a final day of climbing, putting together the skills they have developed throughout the week. They will review key knots and hitches, build top-rope anchors using traditional climbing protection, construct multi-point anchors with static rope and webbing, and continue practicing safe and efficient rappel techniques. At the end of the day, the group will relocate to a campground closer to Bellingham before celebrating the completion of Part I with a group dinner in town and saying farewell to students who are not continuing to Summit Camp.
Day 6
Students who are only participating in Part I will be dropped off at the American Alpine Institute headquarters in Bellingham, the Bellingham Airport, or at the bus station at noon.