Crevasse Rescue Course in Washington

If you're traveling in glaciated terrain, you need to know how to respond if a teammate falls into a crevasse. Our AMGA-trained guide team will discuss and demonstrate the essential gear, knots, and systems used in crevasse rescue and teach step by step systems to efficiently extricate a fallen climber or rider. This full day course is an unofficial prerequisite for any glaciated climb or ski trip.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll cover the following topics and skills:

  • Gear for Crevasse Rescue
  • Essential knots and hitches
  • Rigging your rope and team for glacier travel
  • Mechanical advantage systems including: Simple Systems, Compound Systems, Complex Systems
  • Pragmatic solutions including Brute Haul and Dropped C systems
  • Rope Ascension

This program requires at least 3 participants to run.

Here's the schedule for your course:

  • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

  • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills

  • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
  • 3:00pm - Course ends

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic ski mountaineering experience - Including ice axe, crampons, and Rope Skills for Skiers and Riders

  • Advanced Resort Riding skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions

  • 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.

  • Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

Here's what's included with your course:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes and gear for training
  • 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
Not Included
  • Ski/Splitboard Gear
  • Avalanche Gear
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Mountaineering Gear

  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch and Snacks

  • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELAdvanced
    ELEVATION6,000’-9,000’
    LocationMt Baker/Erie

    Price/Person $250.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 1 Day
    View Full Itinerary
    Private Programs

    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.

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    Here's the schedule for your course:

    • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

    • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills

    • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go

    • 3:00pm - Course ends

    We'll cover the following topics and skills:

    • Gear for Crevasse Rescue
    • Essential knots and hitches
    • Rigging your rope and team for glacier travel
    • Mechanical advantage systems including: Simple Systems, Compound Systems, Complex Systems
    • Pragmatic solutions including Brute Haul and Dropped C systems
    • Rope Ascension

    This program requires at least 3 participants to run.

    Here's the schedule for your course:

    • 8:00 am - Meet your guide at the trailhead

    • 8:30 am - We'll spend the day demonstrating and coaching while you practice crevasse rescue skills

    • 12:00pm - Lunch on the go
    • 3:00pm - Course ends

    Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

    • Basic ski mountaineering experience - Including ice axe, crampons, and Rope Skills for Skiers and Riders

    • Advanced Resort Riding skills - Including off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions

    • 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.

    • Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
    Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

    Here's what's included with your course:

    • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
    • Ropes and gear for training
    • 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
    Not Included
    • Ski/Splitboard Gear
    • Avalanche Gear
    • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
    • Guide Gratuities

    Mountaineering Gear

    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Goggles
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Lunch and Snacks
  • Epic Reviews From Adventurers

    12 reviews
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Literally the best guide I’ve come across!

      Zeb at Blackbird Mountain Guides is literally the best guide I've come across. I've worked with Zeb twice now including the most recent trip up Mt. Baker with my wife. Zeb provides excellent knowledge, route finding, and pace. Most importantly, his great attitude and patience really made the trip, especially for relative climbing novices like us. Put simply, Zeb is the best. I trust him and will definitely work with Blackbird Mountain Guides again!

      A B.
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      Mt Baker Summit Climb 3 Day - 2024 Archive
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Plan to climb with Blackbird again!

      Zeb was great! Great planning; flexible; affordable; and customized the trip for me. Also was fun to climb with. Plan to climb with Blackbird again!

      Will D.
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      Mt Baker Summit Climb 1 Day - 2024 Archive
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Coudn'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.
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      Verified Buyer
      Mt Rainier Summit & Skills Expedition 5 Day
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Much better than expected.

      BlackBird guides were professional. I highly recommend them.

      Justin
      Mt Baker Summit Climb 1 Day - 2024 Archive
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