Information Curriculum

Climbing Skills:

  • Selection & use of personal equipment
  • Selection & use of ropes, knots, & harnesses
  • Selection & use of rock, snow, & ice anchors for belays & intermediate protection
  • Belaying techniques on snow
  • Principles of off trail travel & route finding
  • Use of an ice axe in a variety of positions
  • The concept & application of the self-belay
  • Leave No Trace travel, camping, & climbing
  • An introduction to alpine camping techniques
  • An introduction to alpine ecology
  • Map and compass: reading, intersection, & triangulation
  • Evaluation & prediction of mountain weather patterns
  • Introduction to alpine cooking

Information Details

Prerequisites

  • Good physical fitness
  • Ability to carry a 45 – 55 lb backpack for multiple hours
  • Stamina to hike for over 8 hours (including breaks, and with lesser pack weight)

Permitting notes – Due to its status as a National Monument, there are a limited number of permits available to climb Mt. Saint Helens. Registrations for climbs must be received more than a month before you wish to climb in order to give us enough time to secure the permit. That being said, there is still a chance that there may not be availability on your desired dates. Weekends typically fill up faster than weekdays, so please keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Inclusions – Group technical climbing equipment (personal climbing equipment is available for rent at a nominal charge), permits and the guide fee.

Exclusions – Not included in the course cost is all personal clothing and climbing gear (including crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, tent, etc), transportation, gratuities to guide, meals or snacks, lodging before or after the program, or travel insurance. On private programs, participants are responsible for guide transportation.

Information Itinerary

As this course is run on a private basis, the itinerary varies based on your desired trip.  Early in the season, the mountain is a snow climb or ski objective. As the season progresses, the trail melts out and it becomes more of a hike.

If climbing it in one day, you will meet your guide the night before to go through a gear check and go over the next day’s itinerary.  If you want to learn more about camping and overnight mountaineering, you can opt to add days to add more adventure and learning.

Email info@alpineinstitute.com for more information or register now to book a trip.

We also offer ski trips on Mt. St. Helens as long as conditions allow!