Basic Climbing Course

What Is It?  Is It For Me?

Basic Climbing involves technical climbing on rock, snow, and ice.  Glaciers are a big part of basic climbing.  Mountaineer trips are one to several days long.  To achieve graduate status, you must reach rock, snow, and glacier summits.  Being a graduate and a member of the Mountaineers grants you the opportunity to sign up for future Kitsap climbs, as well as climbs sponsored by other Mountaineer branches. Prior hiking or backpacking experience is preferred but not required.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Each participant needs a good pack, an ice axe, a helmet, the Ten Essential Systems, a climbing harness, climbing hardware, and a good quality pair of mountaineering boots.  Mountaineering boots are not hiking boots.  Plastic boots may be rented for longer glacier climbs.  Mountaineering boots provide a sturdy, durable, stable platform on which to travel.  Steel crampons are required.  Participants are not required to purchase a rope.  Freedom of the Hills text is required.  Member discount for text.  Overnight field trips require tents and overnight gear.

What Do You Learn?

Learn to prepare for significant mountain climbing.  You learn about good equipment choices.  We teach you navigation and route-finding.  We also teach you proper rock, snow, and ice skills that apply to basic climbing, such as belaying, rappelling, and anchoring.  Avalanche and mountaineering safety are included in the curriculum.  Finally, we teach you how to take care of the fragile alpine environment.

When Does It Start?  How Long Does It Last?  Where Is It?

Basic Climbing starts the first week of January, and lasts through the middle of June.  There are 7 class sessions and 8 field trips.  Field trips are in both the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.  Field trips are usually one day with an a required snow camping overnight.  Class sessions are 6:30 to 9:00pm, and are held at Kitsap Cabin, 7 miles outside Bremerton, on Seabeck Highway.  You may participate in climbs for Basic students upon passing skills assessments.  Yearly extensions may be granted if you keep accumulating mountaineering experience.

How Much Does It Cost?  How Do I Sign Up?  Is There A Class Limit?

The cost for Mountaineer members is $275.  The cost for non-members is $350.  A yearly extension of your student status may be granted and costs $100 per year.  Annual membership in the Mountaineers for an individual is $73.  To sign up, call The Mountaineers or register on-line at www.mountaineers.org.  The class is limited to 30 participants.  Registration closes mid January 2012.  Our excellent volunteer instructors are friendly and experienced Northwest mountaineers.

Intermediate Climbing Course

What Is It? Is It For Me?

Intermediate Climbing means extensive learning related to technical climbing on rock, snow, and ice. Leadership is a significant part of intermediate climbing. The course normally takes 3-5 years to complete. To achieve graduate status, you must reach rock, snow, and ice objectives. Teaching and leading less experienced climbers is required. Being a graduate and a member of the Mountaineers grants you the opportunity to sign up for future Kitsap climbs, as well as climbs sponsored by other Mountaineer branches. Students must have prior significant climbing experience.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Intermediate Climbing students are required to purchase all basic and advanced climbing equipment. Participants are required to purchase a rope, artificial protection, anchoring systems, and avalanche safety equipment.

What Do You Learn?

Intermediate Climbers advance their experience, judgment, and skill in the mountaineering environment. You learn about climbing in all seasons, and how to evaluate the safety of a climbing route. Two major components of the Intermediate Climbing Course are leading “the sharp end” of the rope safely, and instructing other climbing students.

When Does It Start? How Long Does It Last? Where Is It?

Intermediate Climbing starts the third week of each January. Completion time is dependent upon the student.  You may continue in the program as long as you continue to accumulate appropriate climbing experience. There are 6 class sessions and 8 field trips. Field trips are in both the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Field trips are usually one day with a required winter overnight. Class sessions are 6:30 to 9:00pm, and are held at Kitsap Cabin, 7 miles outside Bremerton, on Seabeck Highway.

How Much Does It Cost? How Do I Sign Up? Is There A Class Limit?

 The cost for Mountaineer members is a one-time $275 fee. (This is a bargain for us since you will be required to teach novice students in our other programs!) The cost for non-members is $275 for each year of participation. Annual membership in the Mountaineers for an individual is $73. To sign up, call The Mountaineers or register on-line at www.mountaineers.org. The class is limited to 10 participants. Registration closes mid January 1 2012. Instructors have Northwest and international climbing experience.

The Mountaineers - Kitsap Branch

Alpine Scrambling Course

What Is It?  Is It For Me?

Alpine scrambling is non-technical climbing of ridges, peaks, and mountains.  Ropes are not usually required but are brought along only for emergency situations.  Glaciers are not part of alpine scrambling.  Mountaineer trips are one to several days long.  Many of our scrambles are to locations in our own Olympic Mountains.  Being a graduate and a member of the Mountaineers grants you the opportunity to sign up for Kitsap scrambles, as well as scrambles sponsored by other Mountaineer branches. No prior experience is required.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Every participant needs a good pack, an ice axe, a helmet, the Ten Essential Systems, and a good quality pair of mountaineering boots.  Mountaineering boots are not hiking boots.  They are not plastic boots either.  They provide a sturdy, durable, stable platform on which to travel.  They must also be able to accommodate crampons for when hard snow is encountered.  Steel crampons are recommended.

What Do You Learn?

You learn how to prepare for scrambling.  You learn about good equipment choices.  We teach you basic navigation and route-finding since much of scrambling occurs off the trails.  We also teach you proper rock, snow, and ice skills that apply to alpine scrambling.  Finally, we teach you how to take care of the fragile alpine environment.

When Does It Start?  How Long Does It Last?  Where Is It?

The Alpine Scrambling Course begins in late February and finishes in early June.  There are four or five classroom sessions and four or five weekend field trips.  Field trips are in both the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.  Field trips are usually one day with an optional snow camping overnight.  Class sessions are 6:30 to 9:00pm, and are held at Kitsap Cabin, 7 miles outside Bremerton, on Seabeck Highway.  If you cannot achieve the required summits in one year, an extension may be granted if you are continuing to accumulate mountaineering experience.

How Much Does It Cost?  How Do I Sign Up?  Is There A Class Limit?

The cost for Mountaineer members is $125.  The cost for non-members is $200.  Annual extension fee is $50.  Annual membership in the Mountaineers for an individual is $73.  To sign up, call The Mountaineers or register on-line at www.mountaineers.org.  The class is limited to 20 participants.  Registration closes February 1, 2011.  We pride ourselves on small, personal instructional groups.