This Introduction to mountaineering course, based in the Sierra Nevada mountains, is designed to prepare aspiring mountaineers for the high-altitude peaks they dream of climbing around the world. While these skills can be developed on one of our international Climbing Schools (Ecuador Climbing School, Mexico Climbing School and Peru Climbing School), building a solid mountaineering foundation here in California sets climbers up for even more success as they add the factors of high altitude and expedition climbing to their climbing experience.
Course Goals:
- Introduce basic concepts of snow and ice climbing
- Become familiar with equipment choices, use and inspection.
- Practice knots, hitches and basic ropework
Climbing a snow-covered peak can be difficult, and the specific challenges that we typically encounter can easily add unnecessary time or risk to your day. After hundreds of mountaineering expeditions all over the world, we know what works and what doesn’t work. This course is crafted to deliver the skills, knowledge and techniques necessary to start (or further) you mountaineering career.
Specific topics include:
- Introduction to the alpine environment
- Hazard recognition
- Overview of equipment
- Moving over steep snow
- Crampons and Ice axe use
- Diagonal and direct ascent and descent
- Self arrest
- Basic Ropework
- Knots and hitches
- Snow and anchors
- Belaying and rappelling
- Guided vs non-guided ropework
- Strategies to increase security
