2009 Basic Mountain Climbing School Application

Courses Offered to Improve Mountaineering, Rock and Ice Skills and Abilities

The basic Mountain Climbing School is usually a prerequisite for joining SAC climbs for persons without other mountaineering training and experience. The basic school covers both rock and snow and serves as an introduction to the three intermediate practice opportunities below.

The basic school and the intermediate practice opportunities all use a common manual, an illustrated introduction to mountaineering technique:

PDF Version - Mountain Climbing School Manual

HTML Version - Mountain Climbing School Manual

Rock, ice and mountain climbing terms.

Mountain Climbing School

Each spring prior to the main climbing season SAC hosts a school for beginners. Participants gain knowledge and confidence in two class sessions, a field rock session at Horsethief Butte at Columbia Hills State Park (formerly Horsethief Lake State Park) in Washington and a field snow session at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood in Oregon. Cost is $75. Enrollment is limited to twenty-five students. Positions are filled on a first come, first served basis. Minors must have the signature of a parent or guardian. Children younger than sixteen must be accompanied by an adult also enrolled in the school. Basics introduced include:

2009 school materials:

2009 Basic Mountain Climbing School Application

Photos from the Mountain Climbing School

Map for the Mountain Climbing School Weekend

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Rock Climbing Practice

The practice at Smith Rock is usually held in June, but not yet scheduled for 2008. Sign up with Rich Margosian, 541.617.1962. Participation is free. Enrollment is limited to eight participants. Topics covered include:

Prior year reports from the Rock Climbing Practice:

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Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Practice

Sign up for the August (exact day not set yet) practice with Greg Swanson, 503.454.0429. We will hike to the Eliot Glacier from the Cloud Cap Saddle Campground. Participation is free. Enrollment is limited to eleven participants. Topics covered include:

Prior year reports from the Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue Practice:

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Snow and Ice Climbing Practice

Sign up for the September (exact weekend not set yet) practice with Kipp Bajaj, 360.699.0575. We will hike to the Eliot Glacier from the Cloud Cap Saddle Campground, where we will spend Saturday evening. This is a two-day event. Participation is free. Enrollment is limited to eleven participants. Topics covered include:

Prior year reports from the Snow and Ice Climbing Practice:

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Santiam Alpine Club