Course Overview
This course is designed to take you from a beginner level to intermediate proficiency in crevasse rescue. Through hands-on instruction and guided practice, you’ll gain the skills to travel on glaciers and handle rescue situations with confidence.
Course Goals
- Master the Essential Knots and Skills: Learn the critical knots and hitches used in glacier travel and rescue scenarios.
- Build Confidence in Glacier Travel: Understand glacier terrain, safe travel tactics, and equipment usage.
- Handle Real-World Rescue Scenarios: Practice team-based and individual crevasse rescue techniques to prepare for emergency situations.
Key Skills You’ll Learn
- Knots & Rope Management
- Master essential knots: figure 8 family, overhand family, clove hitch, Italian hitch, and Munter Mule Overhand.
- Practice setup for glacier travel rope configurations.
- Glacier Travel Fundamentals
- Gain foundational knowledge in glaciology.
- Learn tactics for safe glacier travel, including when to rope up and how to adjust your approach for different conditions.
- Rescue Equipment Overview
- Explore the function and usage of ropes, cordalette/prussik, progress capture devices, harnesses, and slings.
- Compare lightweight rope kits to regular rope kits to determine the best setup for various situations.
- Anchor Building
- Practice building snow anchors, including T-slots and bollards, for stability and safety in rescue setups.
- Mechanical Advantage Systems
- Develop skills in setting up and using 2:1, 3:1 (Z-haul), and 5:1 pulley systems.
- Understand how to apply progress capture devices to manage load and safety.
- Crevasse Rescue Techniques
- Perform team rescue, roped-up fall, and unroped fall rescues.
- Learn methods for transferring loads and reversing systems in dynamic rescue situations.
- Ascending and Descending Rope Systems
- Practice rope ascent techniques using prusiks and specialized equipment.
- Build skills in rappelling with safety backups using devices like the belay device and Munter hitch.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Confidently tie essential knots and hitches for glacier travel and rescue.
- Set up and a rope system tailored for glacier travel and team safety.
- Assess and build reliable snow anchors and haul systems.
- Implement mechanical advantage in haul systems and progress captures for rescue scenarios.
- Perform rope ascending and rappelling with backups for added safety.
Course Format
The course includes hands-on field instruction and practice scenarios, with real-time feedback and guidance from expert instructors. Expect a mix of theory, demonstration, and practice to develop solid skills in both individual and team rescue settings.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for:
- Beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers looking to deepen their knowledge and explore more complex terrain.
- Climbers and skiers who want to safely travel in glaciated terrain.
- Anyone seeking skills to manage glacier hazards and respond to emergencies.
Understanding Risk and Responsibility
Mountain travel comes with inherent risks that we strive to manage, but certain hazards, like changing glacier conditions and weather, remain beyond control. Before booking, please read our Risk Disclosure to understand the nature of these risks fully. All participants will be required to complete a WAIVER and fill out a PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, confirming their readiness and understanding of these conditions.
Additional Information
- Duration: 2-3 days.
- Location: TBD
- Pre-requisites: No prior experience in crevasse rescue is required, though familiarity with basic climbing or rope skills is helpful. Participants should be strong downhill skiers with some prior backcountry experience and the fitness to participate in a full day in the mountains.
Ready to Join Us?
Pricing for the course varies based on group size, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 participants. For detailed pricing information and options, please reach out. I’m happy to discuss your needs and answer any questions to help you get started.