Introduction to Alpine Climbing Skills

For participants with limited backcountry experience or primarily rock or ice climbing backgrounds, this course provides essential skills for safely navigating alpine environments. Participants will learn basic backcountry navigation and travel techniques, as well as backpacking and backcountry camping skills such as site selection and water treatment in alpine areas. The course also covers managing low-difficulty but high-consequence terrain, including 3rd and 4th class scrambling sections, route finding, and belay management. Additionally, participants will learn how to transition between scrambling terrain and more technical climbing, preparing them for a variety of alpine challenges.

Prior to participating, participants should have basic outdoor self-care knowledge, including what to wear, how much water and food to carry, and general safety practices. They should be able to put on a climbing harness, shoes, and helmet independently, and be familiar with using devices for toprope belaying. Experience with cleaning and descending routes using lowering or rappelling techniques is strongly encouraged, as this allows more time to focus on climbing technique rather than rope skills. Participants who do not meet these prerequisites may be asked to book additional days to ensure they receive the full benefit of the course and can safely and effectively develop their alpine climbing abilities.