Skills Courses

Option 1: In Person

Receive instruction in-person. Course area may be a city park, rock wall, or on a mountain depending on weather and logistics. NOTE: Only available when Glen is in your area or when travel expenses are paid.

Option 2: Distance Learning

Receive instruction remotely through Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. This is generally the most cost-effective way to receive instruction.

Crevasse Rescue

Learn the application of friction hitches, cam-pulleys, snow anchors, and mechanical advantage haul systems to extract yourself or climbing partners from a crevasse. The amount of material we cover in these courses is significant.

Glacier Travel

Learn when and how to use the rope to protect your team on a glacier. Practice transitions from using a shortened rope to glacier travel to pitched climbing in variable terrain.

Multi-pitch

Learn fundamentals of multi-pitch climbing, including belay construction, belay station management, rope management, belaying from the top of a pitch, and leader change-overs.

Rappelling

Rappelling is a fundamental skill for all forms of climbing. Learn when and how to rappel, including how to build solid rappel anchors, methods of threading and throwing ropes, methods to manage ropes in the presence of wind and water, and how to back-up your rappel system.

Alpine Climbing

Learn about alpine climbing specific equipment, tactics, navigation tools, weather apps, rope techniques, anchors, time plans, and more.

Rock Anchors

Discover how to build solid, simple, and efficient anchors. Use minimal resources and minimal time to construct anchors that are easy to work with and easy to clean. This course covers both traditional (trad) anchors and bolted anchors.

Expedition Planning

Perfect for climbers headed to Denali, South America, or the Himalayas. Learn about altitude illness and how to create an itinerary to avoid becoming ill. Learn what equipment works in cold, high altitude environments, and what does not. Learn what clothing to pack and how to dress. Learn how to plan and pack food, including what food to eat at high altitude. Learn what to pack in your med kit, and how to treat common ailments while abroad. Learn about evacuation insurance, backcountry flights, SAT communication, working with local operators and more.

Big Wall Prep

Learn about the experience, gear, and planning necessary for big wall climbing. Take a look at climbing racks specific to routes like the Nose on El Capitan. Discover what goes into the haul bag, and how to pack it. Learn basics of hauling, jugging, leading, and cleaning.

Denali Prep Course

This course contains a massive amount of information. An ideal introduction for climbers headed to the mountain with and without a guide. Denali is unlike any peak outside of Alaska, and requires specialized gear, rope systems, and cold weather camping skills. We go over permitting, transportation logistics, a detailed equipment list, cover food packing, sled rigging and loading, and glacier travel and crevasse rescue systems when large packs and sleds are involved. We also cover altitude illness, physical training, and expedition camping. Taking this course will dramatically improve your odds of summiting.