Intro to Mountaineering in Washington
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Rest Step: the Foundation of Mountaineering
- Crampons Types and pros and cons of each How to put them on Techniques: flat footing, duck step, pied a troisieme, front pointing, plunge stepping
- Ice Axes Types of axes and pros and cons of each Anatomy of the axe and how to hold it
- Ice Axe Arrest: Rope Team Arrest (to stop a partner who has fallen into a crevasse in glaciated terrain) Self Arrest (to stop yourself from falling)
- Rope Travel For glaciated terrain For steep technical terrain with a guide
- Transitions - Hiking to Climbing Crampons
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - No mountaineering experience is required!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Personal Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Guide Gratuities
Intro to Mountaineering Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (ice ax, crampon, harness) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Other Mountaineering Gear (boots) - Come prepared with your own gear or purchase from:
Know Before you go
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 7:30 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:00 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice ski mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
We'll cover the following topics and skills:
- The Rest Step: the Foundation of Mountaineering
- Crampons Types and pros and cons of each How to put them on Techniques: flat footing, duck step, pied a troisieme, front pointing, plunge stepping
- Ice Axes Types of axes and pros and cons of each Anatomy of the axe and how to hold it
- Ice Axe Arrest: Rope Team Arrest (to stop a partner who has fallen into a crevasse in glaciated terrain) Self Arrest (to stop yourself from falling)
- Rope Travel For glaciated terrain For steep technical terrain with a guide
- Transitions - Hiking to Climbing Crampons
Here's the schedule for your course:
- 8:00am - Meet your guide at the trailhead
- 8:30am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice mountaineering skills
- 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
- 3:00pm - Course ends
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- This is an introductory program - No mountaineering experience is required!
- Basic Fitness - Able to spend an active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of roughly 1 hour between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 3-5 miles and climb 1,000-1,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day.
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Permit
- Ropes & Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Meals
- Transportation
- Personal Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
- Guide Gratuities
Intro to Mountaineering Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (ice ax, crampon, harness) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird
- Other Mountaineering Gear (boots) - Come prepared with your own gear or purchase from:
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
- Rated 5 out of 5 starsCoudn't have imagined a better Rainier Summit!
Blackbird Guides is the best! I've been using their services for about 3 years and every adventure has been absolutely incredible. Each of the guides are full of knowledge and incredibly good at passing along their years of expertise. I just summited Rainier with Brandon and Andrew and I couldn't have imagined a better experience all around. I refer everyone I know to Blackbird.
April H.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsHit 3 Cascade summits, truly outstanding guiding!
We did a five day trip. Hit three summits. Truly outstanding guiding by Zeb and Aaron. Their knowledge of the mountains is impressive. They knew how to modify the trip on the fly based on skill level. Pushed the right amount to get us there but still made it casual and fun. I rock climb but this was my first alpine climbing and I’d recommend Blackbird to any first timers.
Anthony V. - Rated 5 out of 5 starsBaker North Ridge was amazing!
Did a 3 day trip with Blackbird on Baker North Ridge. Was an amazing experience. Our guide, Arthur, was knowledge, and willing to teach us. Would be happy to book another trip with them again.
David S.Verified Buyer - Rated 5 out of 5 starsFantastic climb & outstanding guide company!
A Fantastic Climb! Blackbird Mountain Guides is outstanding guide company. I had the opportunity to climb with Zeb Blais where we summited (along with two others) Forbidden Peak in the North Cascade mountain range in Washington. It was a challenging climb but well worth it. Zeb is a professional. His knowledge and calm demeanor made for a rewarding and memorable experience. One of things I like best about Blackbird is the communication. Zeb emphasized safety, training and having fun. If you're looking for a solid guide company, look no further. I can't recommend Zeb and Blackbird highly enough.
Jay R.
the blackbird difference
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