Schedule
General Policies
Class meets on Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 PM (except for the first meeting, Tuesday March 5th, which will run from 7 to 9:30 PM). Classes are held in the meeting room(s) at Prospect Congregational Church in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Street parking is available around the church. Don't be late; we start promptly.
Attendance is required at all classroom sessions and all weekend field trips.
To keep all the students on the same content, we strictly enforce mandatory attendance. If you can't make the class, you must let the instructors know. The inability to make a class can result in forfeiting the right to graduate the class, including summiting Mount Baker. The cost of the class will be donated to the club if an accepted student pays but cannot finish the class.
To get the most out of the class, you will need to do the required reading and homework prior to each Tuesday night session.
The majority of the reading is from Freedom of the Hills (FOTH).
Anchor building and assessment reading material will come from the Climbing Anchors text book.
On the schedule, you will find the required reading for each week.
Like the field trips, this is a very hands-on class. In addition to the reading and the lectures, we will be using our climbing gear to practice knots, anchors, and other skills in the classroom setting before we venture outside. Please make sure to check the required gear for each Tuesday night class prior to arrival.
Field Trip Policies
For the field trips, refer to the gear list. There will be pack checks at the trailhead before each outing. If you do not have all of the required gear, you may not be able to participate. Pack checks occur at Mt Si, Snow 1, Alpine Climbs, Snow 2, and Mt Baker.
If you know you will be late or need to cancel because of unforeseen circumstances, please contact (text, email, or call) the co-chairs and weekend organizers.
Familiarize yourself with each trip's Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
If you see something that you think is unsafe, please immediately let a co-chair or weekend organizer know. Watch out for each other and yourself!
If you feel like you’re not being treated respectfully or taught appropriately, please let the co-chairs know.
There are no official breaks or lunches. Take every opportunity available to eat, adjust layers, drink water, etc. As part of your Alpine Climb, Snow 2, or Baker teams, synchronize breaks with your teammates for more efficient travel.
No alcohol or drug usage is permitted while on the field trip.
All students and all instructors check in at the beginning of the trip and check out at the end of the trip together.
We discourage making evening plans on the same day as a trip as we may end up coming out a bit later than anticipated.
Gear Nights
In the first month of the class we partner with a handful of outdoor shops to provide essential gear at a discounted price. This covers all manner of gear from the gear list. If you are not sure about a particular item (or a particularly costly item), wait for a gear night.
After the class...
There are traditions: End of Class Festivities