Introduction to Alpine Climbing 2024 Spring (Josh Lupkin, leader)

Are you an experienced hiker and backpacker looking to climb some of the iconic mountains of the Pacific Northwest, like Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, or Mt. Hood? The Introduction to Alpine Climbing (IAC) class is great way to get the mountaineering skills needed to climb big snow covered peaks as a climbing team member, and get the basic skills for outdoor rocking climbing. This is a team-based class that strongly emphasizes experiential learning through its four field sessions. You will get a chance to learn and practice climbing skills in realistic terrain, and conditions. The field sessions provide practical exposure to rock and snow climbing skills, as well as team-based climbing skills, and has overall goals of developing your mountain-sense, decision-making skills, and teaching Leave No Trace principles. Some field sessions will include overnight camping, and may include an “alpine” (nighttime) start. Ultimately, you will learn the technical skills needed to climb snow-covered, glaciated, and rock peaks as a climb team member.