Student-led rope teams nearing the rocky North Ridge of Sahale Peak on their way to the summit. The practicum climb is the culmination of our AMTL 1 course. Quien Sabe Glacier, Sharkfin Tower, and Boston Peak are in the middle background. Gerry Chike
A student negotiates mid-fifth class terrain on the Southwest Rib 'Bearhug' route on South Early Winter Spire on day nine of the AMTL 1 course, Washington Pass. Gerry Chike
Crevasse rescue practice. On day four or five of the AMTL 1 course, using skills learned in the preceding days, each student executes a complete two-person companion rescue, from fall arrest to extraction of the fallen climber using a Z-plus-C pulley system. Dylan Taylor
A climber moving up fourth class terrain on the North Face of Kangaroo Temple, an off-the-beaten-track adventure climb near Washington Pass. On climbs like this, we learn to balance speed and safety and to cover ground quickly without taking on undue risk. Myron Allen
A climber starts up the chimney pitch on the Beckey Route (5.6), Liberty Bell, on day eight of the AMTL 1 course. This alpine rock route is one of the most classic climbs in the North Cascades. Chris Brinlee
A summit team resting at the rim of Mt. Baker's Sherman Crater in the early morning, just before making the final ascent of the 1000-foot 'Roman Wall'. Mt. Baker's main vent, which emits sulfurous fumes and sounds like those of a jet turbine, is just over the small rise to the climbers' left. Ryan Slaybaugh
On day seven of the course, we learn rock-climbing skills and multi-pitch techniques at Fun Rock, a small practice crag in Mazama, WA. Here a student prepares to rappel a short, bolted sport climb where we demonstrate movement skills and the principles of lead climbing. Chris Brinlee
Mt. Baker's 10,780-foot summit. We typically make a climb of Mt. Baker in the first five days of this course. Tom Anastasio
Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 1
AAI's four-part mountain leadership program has been called "the country's most respected and thorough rock and mountaineering course," by Men's Journal. Part one (12 days) introduces glacier skills and alpine rock climbing at a moderate difficulty level. After training on the Easton Glacier, we normally summit Mount Baker, make ascents in the Washington Pass area, and conclude with a student-led ascent of a major North Cascades summit.