Mountaineering & Alpinism
Our Mountaineering & Alpinism courses teach you the skills to travel safely in alpine and glaciated terrain. You will build proficiency in navigation, rope work, rock climbing, snow travel, crevasse rescue, and expedition planning through a combination of classroom sessions, field days, and summit climbs.
Courses are structured in two levels. Level 1 covers foundational mountaineering skills. Level 2 builds on that foundation with glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and high-altitude expedition planning. Many of the classes within each level can also be taken individually if you want to focus on a specific skill.
Open to all CMC members: Multiple groups across the state offer these programs. Course content is consistent across groups, so you are welcome to participate in any group’s instruction regardless of where you live. Just pick the schedule that works best for you.
| Level 1 (Beginner–Intermediate) | Level 2 (Intermediate–Advanced) |
|---|---|
| Boulder Group Denver Group Pikes Peak Group |
Denver Group Pikes Peak Group |
Level 1: Basic Mountaineering & Alpine Climbing
Level 1 is an introduction to the core skills you need to travel and climb in mountain environments. Over the course of several months, you will learn navigation, trip planning, basic rock climbing, rope work, and snow travel techniques through a mix of classroom lectures and field days. Most groups run their Level 1 programs from approximately March through June. Courses are called Basic Mountaineering School and Alpine Climbing School, depending on the group running the program.
Prerequisites
- High level of fitness (some backcountry hiking experience and a positive attitude go a long way)
- Wilderness First Aid and AIARE 1 are not required but are great courses to take alongside your mountaineering training
- Basic rocking climbing (must be able to safely belay, know basic climbing knots)
- Navigation 1 (how to use map and compass to navigate)
What You’ll Learn
- Navigation and trip planning
- Rappelling and rock rescue skills (escape a belay, ascend a rope)
- Anchor systems, including natural and snow anchors
- Beginner and intermediate snow climbing techniques
- Trip planning and risk management
Summit Climbs
In addition to classroom and field sessions, Level 1 includes summit climbs so you can apply your new skills in real terrain. Depending on your group, these may include a rock climb, a high peak ridge climb, a couloir climb, and a high peak overnight graduation climb.
Modular vs. Team Track
Some groups offer two ways to move through Level 1. Modular Track lets you browse the CMC calendar and pick individual class sessions that fit your schedule. Team Track places you in a small cohort with the same classmates and instructors throughout the program. Team Track dates are more fixed, but the format builds a tight-knit group. Check your group’s registration details for availability.
Registration & Timing
Registration typically opens in the fall, and courses run from approximately March through June. Check the course search above for the most current schedule and open registration.
Level 2: Glacier Travel & High-Altitude Mountaineering
Level 2 prepares you to safely climb and enjoy glaciated mountains. You will develop skills in glacier travel, crevasse rescue, rope team management, and winter expedition camping. The curriculum builds toward a graduation climb on a major glaciated peak such as Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. Adams, or a similar high-altitude objective. Courses are called High Altitude Mountaineering School and Glacier Travel School, depending on the group running the program.
Prerequisites
- Successful completion of Level 1 (or equivalent)
- Navigation 1 & 2
- Intermediate Rock
- Technical Snow (comfortable with self arrest and traveling in crampons across steep snow terrain)
- Basic rock rescue/self rescue (how to ascend a rope is a core skill for glacier travel)
- Successful completion of Basic Anchors (all students must know how to build a safe anchor and understand how to transfer and extend the anchor if needed)
- AIARE 1 must be completed by end of class
- Ideally, applicants should have climbed at least three couloirs
- Highly recommended: Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
What You’ll Learn
- Roped glacier travel techniques (ice axe and crampon technique for ascending and descending)
- Self-arrest, building snow anchors, executing a running belay, and using ascenders on fixed rope
- Crevasse rescue
- Winter expedition camping
- Risk management in the alpine
- Expedition planning, fitness and training, nutrition, medical concerns, and group dynamics
Program Structure
Level 2 is delivered through a series of lectures and practice sessions on glacier travel and crevasse rescue. You will also complete field training trips for glacier travel, crevasse rescue, steep snow hiking, and glacier camping practice. Lectures and field days typically take place January through March, with expedition camping and couloir climbing weekends through spring. The graduation climb typically happens in late spring or early summer.
Graduation climb: The glaciated peak grad climb (e.g., Mt. Rainier) is a separate cost from the lecture series fee. Expect to budget around $800 or more for flights, rental cars, permits, hotels, and food/fuel.
Registration & Timing
Registration typically opens in the fall, with lectures and field sessions running from approximately January through March. Applications may have a deadline (often in December). Check the course search above for the most current details.
Individual Classes
Many of the classes that make up Level 1 and Level 2 are also available as standalone courses. If you have already completed some training or want to brush up on a specific skill, you can take individual classes without enrolling in the full program.
Level 1 Classes
- Navigation Level 2
- Intermediate Rock Climbing
- Basic Anchors
- Climbing Self Rescue 1
- Intermediate Snow
- Advanced Snow
Level 2 Classes
- Advanced Crevasse Rescue
- Winter Camping
Browse individual classes in the course search above. Availability varies by season.
Questions?
If you have questions about which level is right for you or how to get started, reach out to your local group or check the CMC course search for upcoming sessions and registration details.