Crevasse Rescue Course
The goal of this one-day or two-day course is to provide instruction for rope teams to learn how to perform one of the most challenging scenarios in mountaineering: a full crevasse rescue. To practice those skills, our classroom for the day will be Mount Rainier’s beautiful Lower Nisqually Glacier or Mount Baker’s Lower Easton Glacier. The one-day courses take place in spring on Mount Rainier, while the two-day courses take place in summer on Mount Baker. (Location may vary)
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Course Perks
Having the reassurance knowing that you can pull your partner out of a crevasse — what could be better than that as you head out on a glacier?
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Description
This is an advanced-beginner course. It is recommended that you have some basic mountaineering skills and glacier travel experience, as well as a basic understanding of anchors and rope systems, but this is not required.
This course involves the following:
- Backpacking with loads to 35 lbs.
- Basic snow and ice climbing
- Basic to advance haul systems
- Glacier travel
- Climbers should be in good physical condition and able to move steadily and train for a full day
We’ll start by discussing route-finding on glaciated terrain, rope-team travel, and how to build solid snow and ice anchors. By the end of the day, each student will have practiced a variety of rescue systems, including techniques for the most difficult scenario: a complete rescue for a two-person team. With its easily accessed terrain, numerous large crevasses, and high alpine feel, the Nisqually and Easton Glaciers are the best venues for this type of course.
Course Curriculum Includes:
- Glacier travel risk management
- Rope work for glacier travel
- Construction/evaluation of snow anchors
- Crevasse self-rescue
- Basic haul systems (2:1 and 3:1)
- Advanced haul systems (5:1 and 6:1)
- Ascending and descending in rescue scenarios
- This same course is also offered on Mt. Baker’s Easton Glacier. The course curriculum is the same.
Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Crevasse Rescue Course Snoqualmie Pass
$375 – 1 Day
Minimum 3 participants
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Crevasse Rescue Course Rainier
$375 – 1 Day
Minimum 3 participants
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Crevasse Rescue Course Mount Baker
$600 – 2 Days
Minimum 3 participants
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Price Includes
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
- Tents
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation (Except 2 — Day Courses)
- Hotel accommodations
- Food
- Park entrance fees
- All personal equipment
- Travel insurance with trip cancellation, medical and evacuation policy
- Guide gratuities
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
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Crevasse Rescue Course 1-Day Rainier 2024
- Apr 13, 2024
- Apr 20, 2024
- Apr 27, 2024
- May 4, 2024
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Crevasse Rescue Course 1-Day Snoqualmie Pass 2024
- May 11, 2024
- May 18, 2024
- May 25, 2024
- Jun 1, 2024
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Crevasse Rescue Course 2-Day Mount Baker 2024
- Jun 15, 2024 — Jun 16, 2024
- Jun 22, 2024 — Jun 23, 2024
- Jun 29, 2024 — Jun 30, 2024
- Jul 13, 2024 — Jul 14, 2024
- Jul 20, 2024 — Jul 21, 2024
- Aug 3, 2024 — Aug 4, 2024
- Aug 31, 2024 — Sep 1, 2024
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Crevasse Rescue Course 1-Day Rainier 2025
- Apr 12, 2025
- Apr 19, 2025
- Apr 26, 2025
- May 3, 2025
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Crevasse Rescue Course 1-Day Snoqualmie Pass 2025
- May 10, 2025
- May 17, 2025
- May 24, 2025
- May 31, 2025
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Crevasse Rescue Course 2-Day Mount Baker 2025
- Jun 14, 2025 — Jun 15, 2025
- Jun 21, 2025 — Jun 22, 2025
- Jun 28, 2025 — Jun 29, 2025
- Jul 12, 2025 — Jul 13, 2025
- Jul 19, 2025 — Jul 20, 2025
- Aug 2, 2025 — Aug 3, 2025
- Aug 30, 2025 — Aug 31, 2025
Custom Dates Available — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Flight Information
For scheduled courses and climbs, you should fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac). You are responsible for your transportation to downtown Seattle. You will meet as a group with your guide(s) early morning on Day 1 for an orientation meeting and equipment check.
1-Day Course
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Day 1
You will meet the group at 8:00am in Ashford before heading to the trailhead for Rainier Courses, and the Red Mountain Coffee Shop for Snoqualmie courses. The day starts at 9:00 am were you will go through a quick equipment check. Training starts with a focus on the skills necessary for the proper use of an ice axe, traveling in balance, self-belay, and self arrest. You also begin learning about placing various types of snow protection for use in the construction of snow anchors, as well as belay techniques. We then focus on the skills required for safe and efficient glacier travel including roped travel and self-rescue (prussiking) techniques. This includes the means for each team member to correctly tie into the rope including the proper spacing of climbers based on the number of team members.
After learning the proper techniques for traveling as a rope team, we then make a short glacial “tour,” enabling us to practice and comprehend the day’s lessons. Discussions will focus on navigation with the use of a map and compass. The remainder of the day will focus on the group practicing effective snow anchors and bollards and then learning to equalize them to create “bomber” anchors. You will put them to use as you learn the fundamentals of crevasse rescue pulley systems and then move on to more advanced pulley systems. Your team will perform a number of team rescues, time permitting, and a multitude of realistic crevasse fall scenarios will be addressed. We will conclude the day with a discussion of the mountain environment and methods of evaluating subjective and objective hazards.
2-Day Course
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Day 1
The day starts at 7:00 am with an equipment orientation before driving to Mount Baker’s Schreiber Meadow trailhead (a different location may be used for this course). The hike is very strenuous and can take 4 — 6 hours depending upon the particular approach and the fitness of the group. After establishing camp, the remainder of the day will focus on the skills necessary for the proper use of an ice axe, traveling in balance, self-belay, and self-arrest. You also begin learning about placing various types of snow protection for use in the construction of snow anchors, as well as belay techniques.
We then focus on the skills required for safe and efficient glacier travel including roped travel and self-rescue (prussiking) techniques. This includes the means for each team member to correctly tie into the rope including the proper spacing of climbers based on the number of team members. After learning the proper techniques for traveling as a rope team, we then make a short glacial “tour,” enabling us to practice and comprehend the day’s lessons. Discussions late in the day will focus on navigation with the use of a map and compass. Topics not completed will be continued on day 2.
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
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Day 2
Our main focus for the day is crevasse rescue. Your group will get more practice placing effective snow anchors and bollards and then learn to equalize them to create “bomber” anchors. You will put them to use as you learn the fundamentals of crevasse rescue pulley systems and then move on to more advanced pulley systems. Your team will perform a number of team rescues and a multitude of realistic crevasse fall scenarios will be addressed. We will conclude the day with a discussion of the mountain environment and methods of evaluating subjective and objective hazards before the hike out and return to Seattle.
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, the very nature of climbing in an alpine environment requires flexibility. This itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, and other reasons beyond our control.
Equipment for Crevasse Rescue Course
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Carrying Gear
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Summit pack (40-50L)
Lightweight as possible with a volume between 2,500-3,500 cubic inches (40-50 liters) serves most people’s needs well
Examples:
Osprey Mutant 38, Black Diamond Speed 40
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Large capacity climbing pack (65-75L) *TWO DAY COURSE ONLY*
approximately 4000-4500 cubic inch (65-75 liters) capacity, avoid unnecessary options that add weight
Examples:
Black Diamond Mission 75, Osprey Ariel 65
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Sleeping Gear
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Expedition quality sleeping bag (15-20F) *TWO DAY COURSE ONLY*
One down or synthetic bag rated from 15-20°F /-9 to -7°C
Examples:
Marmot Helium, Marmot Trestles, Western Mountaineering Apache, North Face Guide 20
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Sleeping pad (inflatable) *TWO DAY COURSE ONLY*
Full length inflatable. When sleeping on snow make sure to purchase pad rated to do so
Examples:
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir
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Climbing Gear
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Alpine climbing harness
Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing
Examples:
Black Diamond Couloir, Petzl Altitude, Petzl Hirundos
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Locking carabiners (4)
Four large, pear-shaped carabiners are best
Examples:
Black Diamond Rock Lock, Petzl William, Petzl Attache
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Non-locking carabiners (4)
4 non-locking carabiners. wired straight-gates are recommended
Examples:
Black Diamond HotWire
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Prusik Minding Pulley (optional)
for crevasse rescue
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Petzl Micro Traxion
A compact and lightweight progress-capture pulley
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Mountaineering ice axe
under 5’7” use 60cm, 5’7”-6’2” use 60 or 65cm, over 6’2” use 70cm
Examples:
Black Diamond Raven, Petzl Glacier
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Crampons w/ anti-balling plate
Steel 12-pont. Must be fit to climbing boots prior to trip, new-matic/hybrid type
Examples:
Black Diamond Sabretooth, Petzl Vasak
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Climbing helmet
Lightweight
Examples:
Black Diamond Half Dome, Petzl Elios
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30’ of perlon accessory cord (6mm)
30 feet of 6mm cord
Examples:
Sterling
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Adjustable trekking poles
Three piece poles recommended
Examples:
Black Diamond Trail Back Pole
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Belay device (plaquette)
Tube style
Examples:
Black Diamond ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso
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Double length nylon runner (48" or 120cm)
be sure to get nylon not dyneema (18mm width)
Examples:
Black Diamond Nylon Slings
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Glacier glasses
100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case
Examples:
Julbo
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Shade hat or baseball cap
A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun
Examples:
Mountain Madness trucker hat
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Hands
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Light weight work gloves
lightweight gloves with leather palm for rope work
Examples:
Black Diamond Transition Glove
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Liner socks (optional)
1-pair lightweight and thin
Examples:
polypropylene or wool
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Syntheric or wool socks
check boot fir to make sure they work together
Examples:
Smartwool ,Patagonia
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Gaiters (optional)
Check fit with boots
Examples:
Outdoor Research Verglas or Crocodile
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Insulated mountaineering boots (NW)
waterproof, insulated, crampon compatible, full shank boots. Many of these boots have Women specific equivalents (May –late June and Ice Climbs)
Examples:
Scarpa Mt Blanc, Scarpa Phantom Tech, La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX, Salewa Vulture Vertical GTX
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Lightweight mountaineering boots (NW)
waterproof and crampon compatible (HIGHLY recommended from July -October)
Examples:
Scarpa Charmoz, La Sportiva Trango Tower, Salewa Raven, Salewa Crow
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Light trail shoes, camp booties, or sandals (optional) *TWO DAY COURSE ONLY*
Trail shoes for when at campgrounds and booties/sandals/Crocs for basecamps when weather and season allow
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Light weight synthetic jacket
light weight synthetic puffy or fleece
Examples:
Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Bear Bag/Bear Canister
Bear bag or bear canister to protect your food from both bears and smaller critters
Examples:
Ursack AllMitey, BearVault,
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Hand sanitizer
enough to last trip length
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Headlamp
Bring extra batteries!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Hydration bladder (optional)
hydration bladder or water bag with drinking tube (must also have 1 Nalgene Bottle or equivalent)
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Water purification (NW)
Purifies drinking water while on the climb
Examples:
Steri Pen, water filter, Potable Aqua, Polar Pure crystal iodine
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Pocket knife or multitool
Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!
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Toiletry kit (NW)
toilet paper stored in double zip lock bags
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Nylon stuff sacks
for food and gear storage, large ziplocs are useful
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Large plastic bags
heavy duty trash compactor bags recommended
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Bandana (optional)
lightweight
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Soap, shampoo, towel (optional)
for use at campground showers when on itinerary
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Cooking Gear (for ACC, ALC, GMC, and Two Day CRC, AICC, Advanced Alpine, IAM, Ski Mountaineering)
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Mug
Insulated plastic with lid
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Spoon
Good quality plastic (i.e. Lexan)
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Cooking pot
1.5 liter/qtsminimum, lightweight pot with tight fitting lid and handle. Aluminum or titanium are much lighter than stainless steel -
Bowl
Plastic with 2-3 cup capacity; Tupperware works well
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Backpacking stove
Complete stove and repair kit. Make sure fuel pump is included for liquid full stoves
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Pot grips
You’ll need these to handle your pot when it’s full of boiling water!
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Fuel bottles
If you are flying, Mountain Madness can supply liquid fuel and bottles or fuel canisters when stock is available. We ask that local clients come with their own kit
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Book Course
Crevasse Rescue Course Snoqualmie Pass
$375
1 Day
Minimum 3 participants
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Book Course
Crevasse Rescue Course Rainier
$375
1 Day
Minimum 3 participants
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Book Course
Crevasse Rescue Course Mount Baker
$600
2 Days
Minimum 3 participants
Route
Nisqually or Easton Glacier
Student to Instructor Ratio
5:1
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
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