Welcome to the
Mazama Basic Climbing Education Program

The Mazama Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) will provide you with the basic information and skills to start you on your way to becoming a competent and responsible mountain climber. Your team leaders, instructors, assistants, and Mazamas committee members volunteer their time and commitment to further the Mazamas mission: "To inspire everyone to love and protect the mountains."

Learning Modules

Learning modules will be assigned by your team leader based on your team's schedule

Note: Mazamas recommends the following climbing techniques and safety systems. However, team leaders and assistant instructors may utilize techniques and climbing systems that vary slightly from the material presented below. While we encourage you to ask your instructors about their preferred methods, please ensure you fully understand and can demonstrate the methods described below.


Using the GriGri

Field Sessions

In addition to conditioning hikes, you will participate in the following field sessions.

If you'd like to anonymously make a suggestion, share an experience, or request help troubleshooting please fill out the form below. All responses are only seen by the BCEP Committee and will be handled with care. Your feedback is important. We value and appreciate your responses in order to improve BCEP for the coming years.


Mazamas Mountaineering Center


527 SE 43rd Avenue

Portland, OR 97215

Hours (Phone):

MON–THU, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

BCEP Student Coordinator: 

bcep_student_coord@mazamas.org