2018 Climbing Calendar

For more information or to send the registration for email us at JBLMalpineclub@gmail.com

You can request registration by filling out the registration request form (located in the page tab here on the blog) and emailing it. We will register people in the order that the requests are received. Thank you for your interest in the JBLM Alpine Program and I look forward to climbing with you all!

Trips are color coded for identification

Red = Rock

Green = Alpine

Blue = Ski

Yellow = International

Purple = Scramble

Dec 9 – 17: Chimborazo Ecuador $3400 x4 **International
This 8 day climbing tour of Mt. Chimborazo (6310 m), starts in Quito with an acclimatization hike of Rucu Pichincha (4698 m) with an awesome cable car ride then travels up to Otovalo market for an unforgettable cultural day. During the excursion we spend a free day in Rio Bamba. There you have the possibility to relax in the famous hot springs, do some biking or horseback riding or to visit one of the plenty waterfalls of the surroundings. All in all you pass one week of adventure in the cultural highlands, which you surely won't forget.

Feb 3 -4: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Classroom $125 x15
During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). Unlike Rainier, the Cascades is part of a huge mountain range with scores of peaks topping 8,000 feet, upwards of 400 glaciers, and countless permanent snowfields. This program is designed for the beginner or intermediate climber who wishes to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This course has served as a springboard to many climbing careers, including numerous Rainier summiteers, and has developed a foundation of skills for hundreds of independent climbers. Taught over two weekends the first half is classroom based skill sessions. The follow on weekend is an overnight field skills practice on the slopes.

Feb 7 - 11: Winter Expedition Mountaineering seminar $900 x6
During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). Unlike Rainier, the Cascades is part of a huge mountain range with scores of peaks topping 8,000 feet, upwards of 400 glaciers, and countless permanent snowfields. This program is designed for intermediate climbers who wishes to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. It serves as a prerequisite for and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. Taught over four days as overnight field skills practice on the slopes.

Feb 17 -18: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Field $125 x10
During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This is the second half of the Basic Alpine Course classroom portion. This course is an overnight in deep snow conditions to practice all the skills learned in the classroom.

Mar 3 -4: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Classroom $125 x15
During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). Unlike Rainier, the Cascades is part of a huge mountain range with scores of peaks topping 8,000 feet, upwards of 400 glaciers, and countless permanent snowfields. This program is designed for the beginner or intermediate climber who wishes to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This course has served as a springboard to many climbing careers, including numerous Rainier summiteers, and has developed a foundation of skills for hundreds of independent climbers. Taught over two weekends the first half is classroom based skill sessions. The follow on weekend is an overnight field skills practice on the slopes.

Mar 8 -11: Intermediate Climbing Course $350 x6

The 4-Day Intermediate Mountaineering course is an incredible opportunity to learn advanced alpine climbing topics in North Cascades. The focus of the course is climbing steep snow, ice, rock and mixed terrain, in addition to glacier travel. The wilderness of the North Cascades provides the ideal training ground due to the variety of terrain that is available. The goal of this course is that graduating students should be able to climb non-technical glaciated mountains with short sections of moderately technical terrain safely. It also provides an excellent advanced preparation guided ascents of Liberty Ridge of Mount Rainier, the Matterhorn, Denali, Mount Vinson and Cho Oyu. During this course we focus on objective and subjective safety, advanced climbing techniques, technical climbing in alpine terrain, and climbing team assessments.

Mar 17 -18: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Field $125 x10
During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This is the second half of the Basic Alpine Course classroom portion. This course is an overnight in deep snow conditions to practice all the skills learned in the classroom.

Mar 24 – 25: Intro to Ski Mountaineering $200 x4
If you travel in the backcountry in winter conditions, then the statistical probability of encountering an avalanche jumps dramatically. Indeed, every single person who spends time in the mountains in a winter context will encounter avalanche terrain and avalanche conditions. Come join us for an instructional day on skis or snowboards and learn all about avalanche awareness today! Tye peak is an amazing place to see much varied terrain and learn about avalanches. Ground transportation, backcountry ski or split snowboard, avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and airbag included!

Mar 31: Expedition Planning and logistics $95 x10
This course is intended for our Denali expedition team members but all who wish to learn about Expedition planning are welcome. In this course we cover basic logistics, route planning, weather routing, continginces, travel options, permits requirements, and many other consideratins.

Apr 7 -8: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Field $125 x10During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This is the second half of the Basic Alpine Course classroom portion. This course is an overnight in deep snow conditions to practice all the skills learned in the classroom.

Apr 14: BC Ski Skyline Ridge $100 x4
Yodelin up near Stevens pass is an exceptional backcountry area where you can choose the terrain dependent on your skill. Whether it is open glades, steep drops, or tree skiing Yodelin has it. Skyline ridge across from Stevens pass is an exceptional area for easy touring and fun runs through the trees. For the more confident skiers or boarders Tye peak offers a great ride on true alpine terrain. Let our guides lead you on an adventure. Ground transportation, backcountry ski or split snowboard, avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and airbag included!

Apr 21 -22: Basic Alpine Climbing Course Field $125 x10During this course, one receives hands-on climbing and climber's safety training in Washington's glorious Cascade Range (as seen in the slideshow above). It serves as a prerequisite for many of our basic-level climbs and is a stepping stone to more technically difficult mountains, including Denali. This is the second half of the Basic Alpine Course classroom portion. This course is an overnight in deep snow conditions to practice all the skills learned in the classroom.

May 7- 31: Denali Expedition *** $5000 x6 **Alaska
Jun 4- 26: Denali Expedition *** $5000 x6 **Alaska
Formerly known as Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America has been the goal of aspiring high altitude climbers since it was first climbed in 1913. Its reputation as a highly coveted summit derives from its location near the Arctic Circle and the Pacific Ocean (Gulf of Alaska) giving it some of the most ferocious weather in the world. Because of its notorious weather and ease of access, some climbers use Denali as a training ground for climbing the 8,000 meter peaks of the Himalaya and for extended expeditions in the Arctic or Antarctic. And for all you peakbaggers out there, Denali is the highpoint of the Denali Borough, the state of Alaska, the United States, the Alaska Range, and North America.

Denali offers one of the world's greatest expedition challenges. While it is exceeded in elevation by peaks in South America and Asia, its great height above the Alaskan plain make it a severe test of personal strength, team work, and logistics. No peak in the world has greater relief: Denali rises 17,000 feet above its surrounding plain, Kilimanjaro 14,000 feet, and Everest 13,000 feet. Vertical elevation gain on Everest from the normal base camp for the South Col route is 11,000 feet; from the landing spot on the Kahiltna Glacier Denali's summit rises another 13,000 feet. Further, the mountain (and all mountains this far north or south) behaves like it's taller than it really is --- the reason being that the barometric pressure in the northern/southern latitudes is less than at the equator which makes climbers feel higher than they really are.

West Buttress and the climb is undoubtedly considered as an exceptional mountaineering challenge. Nowhere in the world does one travel with so much gear over so much vertical in such a hostile environment. Although there are no technically difficult sections on the route, many stretches of "The Butt" leave very little margin for error (the lower glacier in warm conditions, Windy Corner, the Autobahn, Denali Pass, and the Summit Ridge). Furthermore, the West Buttress is just as exposed as any other route to Denali's legendary weather. Prospective climbers should be highly competent in travel on moderately steep snow/ice slopes and exposed traverses.

Jun 30 – Jul 3: Mount Baker Coleman Glacier $750 x4
Mount Baker is a spectacular volcano in the North Cascades that offers excellent mountaineering to beginners and experts, alike. Baker tantalizes the residents of Seattle on clear days and stuns ferry passengers in the San Juan Islands. Located only 55 km inland from sea level at Bellingham the volcano has dramatic relief.

Jul 14 – 17: Mount Olympus Blue Glacier $750 x4This incredible adventure takes you into the Olympic Mountains through one of the last remaining true old growth rainforests in the continental United States. The Olympic National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and as such is in the company of such wonders as the pyramids of Egypt, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Our journey begins by hiking through impressive old growth, eventually arriving at a view of the heavily glaciated summit of Mount Olympus. The approach hike along the Hoh River is long but virtually flat, giving us ample opportunity to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the surrounding terrain. While reaching the 7,962 foot high summit of the mountain is one objective of this trip, the abundance and diversity of natural beauty experienced on this trip make it perhaps the most complete and rewarding mountain experience we offer in the Northwest. From our camp at Glacier Meadows, we will explore the various features of the 3.8 mile-long Blue Glacier and learn the necessary glacier travel skills for our ascent. Our climbing route takes us to the top of the Snow Dome, where two large glaciers originate, and then on to the summit pyramid where we scramble up rock of moderate difficulty.

Jul 26 – 29: Mount Baker Coleman Glacier $750 x4
Mount Baker is a spectacular volcano in the North Cascades that offers excellent mountaineering to beginners and experts, alike. Baker tantalizes the residents of Seattle on clear days and stuns ferry passengers in the San Juan Islands. Located only 55 km inland from sea level at Bellingham the volcano has dramatic relief.

Aug 10 -12: Mount Stuart North Ridge (Rock) $300 x4
Mount Stuart is one of the fifty classic climbs of North America. Join us for a wonderful ascent of their multi-pitch 5.8 rock climb and experience Washington's largest granite mountain. We will camp at the trailhead and then spend two days climbing this amazing mountain deep in the Enchantment range!

Aug 24 – 26: South Early Winter Spire (Rock) $300 x4Tucked away in the North Cascades Early Winter Spire has the feel of the world's remote climbs. Despite that feeling it happens to be right in our back yard. This 5.6 multi-pitch rock climb is many Washington locals first big alpine endeavor. It has wonderful climbing, great belay ledges, picturesque alpine vistas, wild mountain goats, and amazing vertical exposure. Join us for this epic rock climb!

Oct 1 – 30: Aconcagua Argentina*** $7700 x6 **InternationalAconcagua is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located in western Argentina, near the Chile border. There are about 3,500 climbers trying the summit each year (info from 2002). The 'Normal Route' is non-technical - a walk-up, following the Northwest Ridge. It is the altitude that poses the most problem. That and the sense that this is an easy climb. Every year people die because they underestimate the task at hand.