Intermediate Climbing Class

The Intermediate Climbing Course (ICC) is a multi-week class covering the skills needed for traditional lead climbing and party self rescue.  These topics are described in more detail below.  

The full class is made up of 3 Rock weekends and one Self Rescue weekend. The self rescue portion can be taken separately, and we have extra spots available for that week. Each week we will have a class on Tuesday evening, and both Saturday and Sunday in the field.

Questions? Please contact the co-chairs.

Apply

Applications are open! Fill out the application form here. Applications close 7/13 and we will follow up with interviews. Class will be announced by 8/1.

Cost:

• Full Course - $550

• Rock only - $420

• Rescue only - $140

Scholarships are available - please contact us for more information. 

No refunds will be offered for any part of the class after the first Tuesday night class.  Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis, as approved by the co-chairs. 

Class Schedule

• Meet & Greet 8/12 - get to know the other students, co-chairs and instructors (with pizza!)

• Rock 1

  • 8/19 Tuesday Class - Intro to gear placement (indoors). Go through the fine points of how to place gear using simulated crack board(s) and the extensive class rack of active and passive pro. We will assign one or two instructors to each station to cover: passive gear, cams, direction of pull.

  • 8/23 Saturday - 8/24 Sunday - Mt Erie. Mock lead on real rock with 1:1 coaching and feedback from instructors.

• Rock 2

  • 9/2 Tuesday Class - Intro to anchors (outdoors in the Seattle area). You will work with our instructors building and evaluating anchors.

  • 9/6 Saturday - 9/7 Sunday - Index. Mock leads, multi-pitch, crack technique.

• Self Rescue

  • 9/9 Tuesday Class - Intro to rescue (outdoors in the Seattle area). Instructors will work with pairs of students to practice rescue basics.

  • 9/13 Saturday - Ground School  (outdoors in the Seattle area). Work through follower rescue and other scenarios in the park.

  • 9/14 Sunday - Mt Erie. Practice the skills in the vertical!

• Rock 3

  • 9/16 Tuesday night class - content and location TBD.

  • 9/20 Saturday - 9/21 Sunday - Tieton. Goal is to achieve a real lead on rock, and have fun climbing classic Tieton cracks.

Trad Leading on Rock

The rock portion of the curriculum covers everything you need to climb moderate multi-pitch alpine rock climbs. This includes:

• Lead climbing technique

• Proper gear placement using nuts, cams, and other traditional climbing gear

• Anchor systems with trad gear

• Multi-pitch climbing technique: belaying from above, swapping leads, rope management, etc.

• Alpine trip planning

Rock I is your opportunity to practice placing gear on easy rock routes where the focus is on proper gear selection, organization, and placement rather than climbing technique.  In addition to this you will be learning  the basics of how to build trad anchors.  After each mock lead climb you will rappel with an instructor and each piece of gear will be collaboratively evaluated. 

Rock II extends your climbing range by focusing on multi-pitch climbing, anchor building and rope management, as well as crack climbing technique.

Rock III moves onto more difficult and varied climbing terrain.  Like Rock I, after each mock lead climb you will rappel with an instructor and each piece of gear will be evaluated jointly.  The objective of the weekend is to do real leads on rock routes.  

Party Self Rescue

The self rescue portion will teach you how to improvise solutions to for rescuing yourself and your partner in vertical terrain. Specifically this covers things like:

• Escaping the belay

• Follower rescue

• Leader rescue

• Tandem rappels

• Passing knots on rappel

Prerequisites

Each student must be or become a member of the Washington Alpine Club.

Participants will need basic climbing equipment. We do not expect that students will provide their own trad gear (cams, nuts, etc.). These will be loaned by the instructors or from the club equipment on each weekend as needed.  If students have gear of their own they are encouraged to bring it to practice with, but this is not required.   The club will provide all ropes. Students will also need standard outdoor clothing and day-hiking gear. Most sessions will take place rain or shine. 

For all aspects of the class, we expect you to be able to demonstrate a broad set of climbing skills as detailed in our skills test here.  Please review the list, and be prepared to demonstrate the skills.  If you have questions or concerns, contact the cochairs.

Gear List:

• Helmet

• Harness

• Rock climbing shoes

• Personal anchor

• Guide-mode ATC belay device

• Locking and non-locking carabiners

• Cordelette

Rescue Portion of the Course

Skills required to participate include basic rock climbing skills.   It builds on skills acquired in the Basic Class and you should be comfortable with them before applying.  In addition to these skills, we want you to have experience in lead belaying.  If you're unsure if you currently have the appropriate skills needed for this class, feel free to email questions to wac-icc-chairs@googlegroups.com

Rock Portion of the Course

Skills required to participate include basic rock climbing skills.  The course application will ask you to provide examples of climbs that demonstrate these skills. 

We want you to have experience in lead climbing sport routes. If you're unsure if you currently have the appropriate skills needed for this class, feel free to email questions to wac-icc-chairs@googlegroups.com