Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

Overview

This program is presented on the massive glaciers of Washington's Mt. Baker, considered the best glacier training ground in the United States. We cover front pointing and French cramponing techniques, the eight principal ice axe positions, self-arrest, anchor placement, procedures for glacier travel, crevasse rescue technique, and route finding. The Baker region is one of the most beautiful alpine areas in North America, so in addition to having perfect glacial terrain for developing your skills, you will also enjoy the beauty of one of America's most heavily glaciated and aesthetic peaks. This program meets in Bellingham, Washington at the AAI office.

Practicing crevasse rescue.
Dylan Taylor

We recommend this program for climbers who would like to brush up on glacier travel skills in preparation for either their own climbs of glaciated peaks or for one of our intermediate - level courses, such as our Part 2 Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership program or our Alpinism 2 program.

We also recommend considering our 6-day Alpinism 1 - Intro course, as it offers a complete introduction to mountaineering, which includes all of the curriculum covered in this Glacier Skills course, then also adds one day of rock climbing, and an ascent of Mt. Baker.

Though this course takes place on the upper flanks of Mt. Baker, we do not make a summit attempt. Instead, we maximize our instructional time and dedicate our three days to learning and practicing essential glacier travel skills. If you would like to add a Baker summit climb, we can arrange on a private basis a skills training session and an ascent on a four or five-day trip. Please call us to discuss scheduling.

Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

Details

Max Ratio - 5:1 or 10:2 (Climber:Guide)

Capacity - 10

Prerequisites

• Overnight backpacking experience. If you lack overnight backpacking experience, you can add a 2-day Backpacking and Wilderness Skills course at a discounted price
• Ability to cook for yourself on a backpacking stove
• Good physical fitness

Program Cost Inclusions and Exclusions

Tuition for the program includes the guide's fee, transportation during the course, backcountry camping permits during the course, and all group climbing and rescue equipment (ropes and hardware). Personal equipment is not included in the program cost, but it can be rented from our equipment shop. A complete list of recommended and required equipment will be sent to you upon registration. 

Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

Dates

• May 19 - May 21, 2023 
  
• June 2 - June 4, 2023 - FULL Waitlist Available
• June 16 - June 18, 2023 - FULL! Waitlist Available.
• June 30 - July 2, 2023
• July 14 - July 16, 2023
• July 28 - July 30, 2023
• Aug 11 - Aug 13, 2023
  
• Aug 25 - Aug 27, 2023

Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

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