The following pages are a general outline of when skills will be covered during the Compressed Basic Climbing Course. Some topics may be discussed on a different day, depending on presenter availability.
Additional detailed information, as well as supplemental information and coursework, is provided in the Google Classroom space that accompanies this course. Google Classroom is available to enrolled students.
The Compressed Basic Climbing Course includes prerequisites which must be met before students attend the first lecture day of the course. Students must have a mastery of all knots and hitches, must have completed a Mountaineer-led conditioner hike within 2 months prior to the start of the course, and be familiar with the basics of belaying. Students must also be graduates of Wilderness Skills. This course is challenging and time management will be important. Our practice sessions are within Olympia/Tumwater/Lacey and travel times from other cities can impact your practice time and ability to participate in the course. Keep this in mind if you're not in the local area.
Each day - lecture and field trip - is intended to be a full day of coursework. Lecture days will be comprised of online lectures followed by hands-on practice with available instructors. Lecture times may vary, but plan on 9am - 5pm of scheduled lecture and practice time. Field trips will be all day, and may benefit from a trailhead camp or early morning drive.
Course Requirements, Graduation Requirements, Gear Requirements, and Conditioning are required for this course. Please see the General Information tab at the top of this manual for more information on these requirements.
A basic climbing mentor is available to students upon request for the Compressed Basic Climbing Course. Please let the Basic Climbing Chair know of your interest in being assigned a mentor. Mentors are graduates of the Basic Climbing Course (either Compressed or Traditional Basic) and are eager to help students practice and advance their climbing skills.