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Upcoming Courses
UPCOMING 2021–2022 COURSES
Training people to recreate in the mountains while managing risk is central to the mission of the Mazamas. Our educational programs began with the Basic Climbing Education Program more than 75-years ago. Since then we have added intermediate and advanced climbing classes, skiing and first aid courses, and most recently canyoneering. If you have been looking at the mountains and dreaming of achieving a mountain summit or scaling a rock walk, look no further! You can find all of our educational programs on our website at mazamas.org/calendar/education/
INTRO TO HIGH ANGLE RESCUE
■ Class dates: July 14–18 ■ Application Opens: June 23 ■ Application Closes: July 7 ■ Prerequisites: See website for details.
CANYONEERING 2021
■ Class dates: Aug. 12–Sept. 9 ■ Application Opens: July 6 ■ Application Closes: July 20 ■ Prerequisites: See website for details.
In this course, you will learn the basics of high angle rescue. We will start with an online lecture in which we will cover all of the main subjects, followed by a practice session at the MMC.
Topics covered include going handsfree, going to "baseline," defeating the plaquette, passing a knot on rappel, and basic mechanical advantage systems.
Course prerequisites: lead climbing & lead belay certified at a local gym, skilled in basic knots & hitches (i.e. eight knot, clove, munter, prussik), and recent experience leading single and multi-pitch climbs preferred.
GEAR & ANCHOR BUILDING MINI COURSE
■ Class dates: Aug. 4–8 ■ Application Opens: July 7 ■ Application Closes: July 21 ■ Prerequisites: see website for details.
In this course you will learn how to place gear, objectively analyze gear placements, equalize anchor points using cordelettes, slings and ropes, where to locate your master point, and how to safely set up an anchor using SERENE and ERNEST methodologies. This course will help start your introduction into trad climbing.
Canyoneering (or “canyoning”) is the sport of exploring canyons using a variety of techniques such as scrambling, climbing, rappelling, wading, and swimming. The term usually refers to the descent of technical canyons requiring ropes, harnesses, and other specialized gear. Like mountain peaks, canyons vary widely in level of difficulty–ranging from the easy hike-through variety to the extremely technical. Dry canyons are generally easier in terms of rigging and preparation compared to those which contain flowing water. The more water that is present, the more difficult the canyon.
Canyoneering is practiced all over the world, although most well known in Europe and the United States. It is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity. In North America, most people associate canyoneering with the famous slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau, although it is also being practiced in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierras, Arizona, British Columbia, Mexico, Hawaii, and here in the Cascades. With one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls in the world, canyoneering is a natural fit for the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more: mazamas.org/canyoneering
MULTI-PITCH EFFICIENCY SKILL BUILDER
■ Class dates: Aug 17–22 ■ Application Opens: July 21 ■ Application Closes: Aug. 4 ■ Prerequisites: Lead belay certification, ability to rappel.
The course will introduce techniques and sequences involved in multipitch climbing. Topics will include setting up a belay at an anchor, belay procedures, rope management, lead transitions, lowering a climber, and planning the descent. The course will consist of two evening lectures and a single-day practice session in the Holman Auditorium.
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UPCOMING 2021–2022 COURSES CONT.
Photo Credits, from left to right: David Rempel, Lindsey Addison, David Rempel
STEEP SNOW & ICE SKILL BUILDER
■ Class dates: Aug 27–Oct 31, 2021 ■ Application Open: July 15, 2021 ■ Application Closes: Aug 1, 2021 ■ Prerequisites: See website for details
The Steep Snow and Ice skill builder will focus on mentoring climbers in developing comfort and proficiency in steep alpine terrain. This will include placement of snow and ice protection and anchors; and moving efficiently on glaciers, steep snow, and alpine ice. Throughout the skill builder we will practice continuous risk assessment, recognition of hazards, and situational awareness. This skill builder will be open to any graduate of ICS or someone with equivalent experience (for example prior summits of glaciated peaks; ability to belay and rappel; knowledge of common climbing knots; and basic understanding of glacier travel, rope management and crevasse rescue).
Learn more: mazamas.org/ssi
■ Class dates: Aug 31, 2021–May 31, 2022 ■ Application Open: July 12, 2021 ■ Application Closes: Aug. 2, 2021 ■ Prerequisites: Minimum requirement is two rock and two snow climbs. See website for details.
Intermediate Climbing School (ICS) is an intensive, challenging, fun, and rewarding experience. At no other point in your climbing career are you likely to see your climbing skills advance more dramatically within a single, relatively short span of time.
ICS picks up where BCEP left off and teaches the skills necessary to be a strong assistant on advanced Mazama climbs, organize private climbs of your own, and for those who choose, take the next step into Climb Leader Development. The course takes place over a period of 9 months and includes lectures, field sessions, and social activities.
Learn more: mazamas.org/ICS ■ Class dates: Sept 8, 2021–May 15, 2022 ■ Application Open: July 14, 2021 ■ Application Closes: Aug. 4, 2021 ■ Prerequisites: 3rd grade or older (Younger students considered on a case by case basis).
Families Mountaineering 101 (FM101) trains adult and youth climbers for entry-level mountaineering activities, including rock and snow climbing skills. This class is an opportunity to get your entire family involved with alpine activities and mountaineering objectives. FM101 is designed to support parents and their children in building a solid foundation of mountaineering skills. Participants of the class will learn the skills required to be a competent member of Mazama “A” or “B” level climbs. FM101 utilizes oneroom schoolhouse style to accommodate kids and adults of all ages. The class will break out into smaller practice and field session groups based upon a number of considerations, including age.
Mazama Mountaineering Center (MMC) sessions are hands-on and interactive. There is a significant amount of field session time, including several camping trips, and a night at Mazama lodge.
Learn more: mazamas.org/fm101.
Photo Credits, from left to right: Duncan Hart, Toby Contreras, Duncan Hart, Unknown, Courtney Rust
NORDIC SKI SCHOOL ADVANCED ROCK (AR) BASIC CLIMBING EDUCATION PROGRAM
■ Class dates: Jan 12–Feb 17, 2022 ■ Application Open: Nov. 23, 2021 ■ Application Closes: Dec. 1, 2021 ■ Prerequisites: Depends on course level chosen. ■ Class dates: Feb. 22–May 19, 2022 ■ Application Open: Nov. 30 ■ Application Closes: Dec. 14 ■ Prerequisites: Leading outside within the last year, lead card at a local gym, and more. See Website ■ Class dates: Mar. 8–May 27, 2022 ■ Application Open: Feb. 1, 2022 ■ Application Closes: Feb. 15, 2022 ■ Prerequisites: None.
The Mazama Nordic Ski School strives to meet you at your current skill level and take you to the next level. Whether you are an alpine skier who wants a new challenge, a ski mountaineer who wants to improve your skill set, or a nordic skier who is ready for the next level—this class is for you!
We remove impediments to progress by encouraging you to ski on high performance equipment—you should not have to fight with your skis in order to turn. Starting with groomed runs served by high speed lifts we aim to maximize your skiing time while progressing to more difficult terrain as your skills and interests grow.
The Mazama Nordic Ski School offers three types of crosscountry skiing classes: Classic, Telemark, and Backcountry. Backcountry is taught as a separate program.
The Nordic Ski School program consists of a mandatory evening Meet Your Instructor Orientation, followed by three class sessions on consecutive weekends, either Saturday or Sunday, whichever day you registered for.
Learn more: mazamas.org/nordic
The Mazama Advanced Rock (AR) Course provides high quality instruction and training to enable graduates to be proficient at leading traditional climbs on vertical rock. We teach the technical and mental skills that will prepare you for a wide range of climbing, from single-pitch cragging to multi-pitch and alpine rock routes.
The AR program is comprised of a series of lectures given by knowledgeable speakers with hands-on demos or exercises where appropriate. The lectures are supported by weekend field sessions, coordinated and taught by skilled, experienced climbers.
The Advanced Rock program offers you the opportunity to meet new and experienced rock climbers, as you learn about climbing areas and destinations.
Learn more: mazamas.org/ar
Have you wanted to climb our nearby mountains but don’t know how to get started? Hood, St. Helens, Adams? Maybe others? The Mazama Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP) is for you! BCEP teaches the skills needed to climb snow covered peaks and outdoor rock— and introduces you to other people who like to climb!
The eight-week class includes weekly lectures and team breakout sessions, field sessions, and conditioning hikes. The field sessions provide practical exposure to basic rock climbing and snow travel. Field sessions may include overnight camping, a stay at the Mazama Lodge, or an “alpine” (nighttime) start. You will learn and practice the basic technical skills needed to climb a glaciated peak as a climb team member.
This is our most popular class each year so mark your calendars for Info Night and the registration open date so you don’t miss out!
Learn more: mazamas.org/bcep
