Basic Mountaineering Skills Introduction

UPDATE: applications are no longer being accepted for this course.

This is being offered as a series of sessions including two overnight trips.  Spacing the training out over several weekends will allow time to absorb information and complete any assigned homework/reading.  No previous mountaineering experience is required.

Please respond to the "trip planning questions" and describe your experience even if you have only done general hiking and backpacking.

Registration opened 8:00pm Friday, April 7^th and closed 8:00pm Tuesday, April 11^th.

Note: Dates to be finalized before participant selection:

• 1 mid-week evening session... Monday April 24^th from 6:00 to 9:30pm at MEC Head Office
  
• 1 Sunday in early May... Sunday May 7th on Mount Seymour
  
• 1 three-day weekend in May... long weekend of May 20^th to 22^nd
  
• 1 two-day weekend in early June... weekend of June 3^rd and 4^th
  

Prerequisites: a good level of fitness and previous overnight backpacking experience.

Expectations:  attend all four sessions and complete assigned homework between the sessions (which includes reading, practice, and preparations).

Required gear:  a gear list for each weekend will be provided for each session, including suggestions regarding clothing/footwear and overnight gear.

General Training Plan

 Session 1

• Evening session
  
• Gear overview
• Clothing/footwear
• Group management/people dynamics/risks
• Pre-trip planning

 Training Session 2

• Day trip
• Quick belays
  
• Self arrest with mountaineering axe
  

 Training Session 3

• Overnight trip
• Traveling on a glacier
• Roping up in teams of 2, 3, 4 (dividing up the rope, carrying the extra)
• Steep snow travel techniques
• Self arrest solo and when roped up
• Basic crevasse rescue

 Training Session 4

• Overnight trip
• Builds upon the skills from weekends 1 and 2
• Tenting on a glacier
• Additional crevasse rescue practice and situations

 
Course Registration

The participant fee is $115 includes the indoor evening session and all three outdoor weekend sessions.

The course is set for a maximum of 15 "student" participants.  The trip is set to 20 to accommodate the 15 participants and up to five trainers.

Please note that the course organizers/trainers are volunteers. Your course fee is paid directly to the BCMC and supports the club.

The registration process to attend this course will be:

1. click "join this trip" and answer the "trip planning questions."
2. you'll be placed on the Request List while we review your answers to our "Join" questions.
3. next, you're moved to the Waiting List and will be able to see the "Pay Now" (PayPal) button.^[1][2]
4. After payment has been confirmed, you'll be added to each session's Confirmed List  and sent email notifications.

   [1] If you plan to pay by personal cheque, please contact the course organizer ASAP.
   [2] we will confirm that you are available for the course dates.

Notes about the "Confirmed List":
 1) Confirmed List ordering will be based on when course fee payments were received.
 2) Group total, including organizers, is limited by "Max participants:".
 3) Cancellation fees may apply if a "Confirmed" participant withdraws from the course and requests a refund.  For more information, please review the BCMC Course Refund Policy.

Emergency Contact: If you haven't done so, please add it to your BCMC account by clicking on "My Account" in the top-right corner of our club website, then select "Edit Emergency Contact" under "Manage My Account" in the left column.  You will need to re-enter your password for the update to be saved.

Waiver and Medical: Every participant must have read and agree to ("signed") the club's online Waiver.  In addition, those with potential medical issues, that might affect their course participation, need to contact the course organizer ASAP after registering for this course.

Changes - Cancellations: This course is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in case of suspected poor weather.  If the course is rescheduled to another weekend that does not fit into your personal schedule then a full refund will be issued.  IMPORTANT: cancellation fees may apply in case of a cancellation by a participant; please review the BCMC Course Refund Policy for detailed information.