TCS Advanced Alpine Climbing School

Leader approval required. Please fill out application to apply. 

School prerequisites or Equivalent experience are:

• Alpine Climbing School
• Seconding/Multipitch 
• Trad lead (Students must be comfortable leading non-alpine, multi-pitch, 5.6 trad (e.g., clear creek canyon, flat irons, Eldo, or similar locations)
• Ice Lead
• Rescue - multi-pitch
• AIARE
• WFA

This Rock module will include the following:

• 2 Weeknight Lectures 
• 2 Weekends of skill building
• Module Climb with instructor to demonstrate skills

The Ice module will include the following:

• 3 Days of skills and climbing in Ouray (student responsible for lodging)
• Module Climb with instructor to demonstrate skills

Register for courses individually. Fill out application to participate in the cohort grad climbs. 

The Alpine Rock module for Advanced ACS 2026 will include two sections. The first will be “Managing Alpine Terrain Seminar” taught by Smile Mountain Guides on June 13/14. Prior to the weekend course we will meet on June 10 to prepare and discuss the class. The goals of the seminar are to focus on security techniques used to manage variable terrain to move safely and quickly on longer, more committing alpine routes. The seminar will focus on: short roping & pitching techniques, terrain and body belays, lowering and rappel techniques, and alpine anchoring principles. Both days are generally taught in Eldorado Canyon. The first day focuses on learning skills, the second day allows students to use the skills learned on an easy climb.

The second section will be “Advanced Multi-pitch Concepts” taught by Sean Lynn (AMGA Certified Guide) on July 11/12. Prior to the weekend course we will meet on July 8 to prepare and discuss the class. Students will learn techniques applicable to climbing multi-pitch routes, including: preparation, anchors, belaying, cleaning gear, belay transitions, descending, and climbing with a 3-person team. 

Students are expected to lead at least one pitch in the alpine to graduate the module. Module climbs are expected to be organized by the students - this is an advanced course. Students will select a climb that interests them and arrange with an instructor and another student to make it happen. Climbs are expected to include two students and one instructor. The grad climb will provide the opportunity for students to practice what they learned from the two guided classes with the support of an instructor in an alpine environment.

There are two options when it comes to Advanced ACS:

• Glaciated Track: If you are interested in taking these skills on peaks which contain glaciers like the Pacific Northwest this is the track for you. 
  • Grad Climb Examples: LIberty Ridge, Ptarmigan Ridge, Torment-Forbidden Traverse
• Non-Glaciated Track: If you are not interested in the glaciated track and are more interested in using your skills in Colorado or the Tetons, this is the track for you. 
  • Grad Climb Examples: Black Ice Couloir Grand Teton

Students are expected to arrange all grad climbs; time and location will be dependent on the route chosen by the student.