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Intro To Tahoe Mountaineering Course

Intro to Mountaineering course near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains with Alpenglow Expeditions' professional mountain guides.
Guide teaches a group of students Mountaineering skills, like glacier travel and crevasse rescue, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains with Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe mountain guides.

Intro To Mountaineering in Lake Tahoe

$275Per Person, Midweek
$325Per Person, Weekend
Introductory 1 full day (8 hours) North Lake Tahoe, CA
Learn basic mountaineering skills with our Tahoe mountain guides in just one day! Learn the technical skills necessary to begin your alpine climbing journey. This beginner mountaineering course can be combined with Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue to be a fully complete two-day course.
Mar 30, 2024
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Guide shows rope skills during an Intro to Mountaineering course near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains with Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe mountain guides.

This Introduction To Mountaineering course, based in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, is designed to teach basic mountaineering skills and prepare aspiring mountaineers for the high-altitude peaks they dream of climbing around the world.

While these mountaineering 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 in the factors of high altitude and expedition climbing to their climbing experience.

Fitness

Excellent physical fitness is required. Climbers must be able to hike for a few hours while carrying a pack.

Technical

While a background in climbing is helpful, it is not required for this introductory course.
8-9AM
Morning Meeting

Meet and great, discuss groups climbing experience and goals/dreams, schedule of the day/curriculum, principles and importance of Leave no Trace outdoor ethics.

9-10AM
Intro to Mountaineering
  • The learning begins with a discussion on the different styles of mountain climbing, and the differences in equipment options and selection of equipment based on objective
  • Helmet (ski vs. climb), Harness (light weight vs heavy rock), Axe (length, style, 1vs.2), Crampons (Steel, Aluminum, Hybrid, Attachment style), Boots (Single, Double, etc), Apparel and Packing fundamentals.
10-3:30PM
Field Session

Moving to the field, we get down to business. Skills covered are:
– Introduce Crampons, the importance of good footwork and simple movement progression on moderate angle snow.
– Introduce the Ice Axe, its purpose, how to hold (self-belay vs self-arrest), and how to integrate into the movement progression.
– Further refine the movement progression, both diagonal and direct ascent.
– Self-arrest practice, while stressing the importance of careful climbing to avoid falls.
– Introduction to the rope:
– When to add a rope to the system
– Actual vs perceived security
– Basic types of ropes, rigging and their application
– Knots and hitches
– Basic snow anchors and belays
– Rappelling

3:30-4PM
Course Close
  • Review of skills taught
  • Next Steps
  • Limitations of course

Our High Sierra Guides.

Meet who you will be climbing in the High Sierras with.

Tahoe Intro To Mountaineering Course Questions

The answers to all of our most commonly asked questions about our Intro To Mountaineering course in the High Sierras.
An early morning photo of mount Shasta covered in snow with a blue sky above. Climb Mount Shasta with us!

Mount Shasta 5-Day Mountaineering School

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Mountaineer peering into a crevasse on Mount Shasta during an Intro To Mountaineering course with Alpenglow Expeditions

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A group of mountaineering students during a Mount Shasta 5-day mountaineering course with Alpenglow Expeditions.

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Guide teaches a group of students Mountaineering skills, like glacier travel and crevasse rescue, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains with Alpenglow Expeditions' Tahoe mountain guides.

Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Course

Introductory Next Available
March 31, 2024
1 full day (8 hours) North Lake Tahoe, California
@AlpenglowExpeditions