Course Outline
This outlines all classroom and field trip sessions. There will be other optional class and WAC events along the way, but they are not included here. Refer to the Schedule for specific dates. Do the reading before class to get the most out of it.
Students: You will need to log into whatever account you use in the google group to access the slides.
Week 2
Continue review of all relevant gear. You'll have enough information to research the things you don't have yet, but you don't need to rush too much on gear which won't come into play until later.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 4 Physical Conditioning, Ch. 7 Leave No Trace
Class: Gear 2 (slides), RMT intro (slides)
Field Trip: None
Week 3
We'll wrap up the fundamentals for our first field trip up Mount Si. There you'll learn with smaller teams over a variety of stations including practicing navigation by map and compass, getting 1-on-1 instruction of core climbing knots, as well as some other applied skills.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 5 Navigation, Ch. 6 Wilderness Travel
Class: Navigation (slides)
Field Trip: Mount Si. The packet will be released in the week leading up to the trip. Double check all required gear, and be on time!
Week 4
Get ready for your first weekend moving and climbing with a rope and partners on artificial climbing structures.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 9 Basic Safety System, Ch. 10 Belaying
Class: Knots 1. Review to the Knots Test for the list of required skills. Reference resources on the Knots and Skills page for help.
Field Trip: Kelsey Creek (formerly Spire 1). One day with everyone. The packet will be released in the week leading up to the trip. Double check all required gear, and be on time!
Week 5
We'll continue to sharpen our understanding and practicing the fundamentals of climbing with protection with a team.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 11 Rappelling, Ch. 12 Alpine Rock Climbing Technique
Class: Knots 2
Field Trip: Lil Erie (formerly Spire 2). One day with everyone. The packet... you get it, right?
Week 6
This is your first climb on real rock. In context, you'll begin to see how this is different and how you'll want to assess the anchors you'll rely on.
Pre-reading: Climbing Anchors Ch. 1 & 2. optional: FOTH Ch. 13 Rock Protection, Ch. 14 Leading on Rock
Class: Rock 1: Anchors (slides)
Field Trip: Erie. One day with everyone.
Week 7
We'll finish out our in depth review of all fundamental climbing knots and anchors. Then we'll head out to vantage for a fun day of sport climbing where you'll practice these skills which make you a competent and trustworthy rock climbing partner.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 26 Mountain Geology. optional: Climbing Anchors Ch. 3, 4, 5, 6
Class: Rock 2 / Knots 2 (thread & lower slides)
Field Trip: Vantage. Class will be broken up into smaller groups. You will choose one day to participate. Many camp out nights before or after their assigned day.
Week 8
You'll be tested individually on all technical skills covered so far. For any that need more work, we'll work together to practice and fill out those gaps.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 24 First Aid
Class: Knots Test / First Aid (slides)
Field Trip: None. Enjoy your break. Recharge.
Week 9
You'll learn to operate effectively and efficiently on snow covered terrain, which includes snow camping and skills related to safe backcountry snow travel. Among these: ice axe arrest, efficiently ascending and descending snow slopes, and how to use snow as a medium for creating an anchor.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 3 Camping, Food, and Water, Ch. 16 Snow Travel and Climbing
Class: Winter Camping & Ice Axe (slides)
Field Trip: Snow 1. Everyone over 2 days, 1 night.
Week 10
This is a real climb, in that it is a real peak in the wilderness that people go to. It will be a challenge. To get there, you'll put your navigational skills to the test in the field and your technical skills summiting some objective safely, as a group.
Before class: Trip Planning Assignment.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 17 Avalanche Safety, Ch. 21 Expedition Climbing
Class:Trip Planning (slides) & Avalanche Awareness (slides)
Field Trip: Alpine 1. Class will be broken up into smaller groups. You will choose one day to participate.
Week 11
Another real climb to further cement your learnings and skills in the real world.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 27 The Cycle of Snow & pp 333-337
Class: Glacier Travel (slides) & Crampons
Field Trip: Alpine 2. Class will be broken up into smaller groups. You will choose one day to participate.
Week 12
We'll learn about glacier rescue and start to get a sense of the kinds of situations that can happen. Everyone unplanned situation is unique! We'll add one powerful rescue technique to your repertoire, the z-pulley.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 18 Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue
Class: Glacier Rescue & Z-Pulley
Field Trip: None. Enjoy your break. Recharge.
Week 13
For your last instruction-oriented field trip, we'll travel to a real glacier to practice crevasse rescue, roped glacier travel, and climbing techniques on low angle ice.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 19 Alpine Ice Climbing
Class: Glacier Self Rescue & Prusik
Field Trip: Snow 2. Everyone over 2 days, 1 night.
Week 14
Home stretch! We'll round off a few corners, give back to the community, and make sure that everyone is ready to complete the class.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 28 Mountain Weather & pp 512-513
Class: Altitude & weather
Field Trip: Volunteer Day
Week 15
Bring it all together in your final class-organized field trip. You'll camp on snow, climb a glacier, and summit a volcano.
Pre-reading: FOTH Ch. 22 Leadership, Ch. 23 Safety, Ch. 25 Alpine Rescue
Class: Mountain Safety: Compounding Errors
Field Trip: Baker. Schedule TBD.
Week 16
Celebrate a successful class and spark up the beginnings of future trips. This is only the beginning.
Class: Survey & summer climbs
Field Trip: Baker (backup)
