2-Day Crevasse Rescue Course

5.0 (6)

Group Size

6 people per guide

Duration

2 days

COVID-19 policy

Program Overview

Our crevasse rescue course is a MUST-HAVE for any adventurer seeking to explore mountainous terrain safely. You will learn crucial skills to save yourself or a team member if they fall into a crevasse. Our experienced guides will teach you rope and anchor systems, pulley systems, and other specialized techniques that may mean the difference between life and death in a high-altitude emergency. You will practice these skills in a simulated environment, receiving feedback and personalized attention from our instructors.

Curriculum

This two-day private crevasse rescue course covers navigation on glaciers, learning how to travel properly roped up, and identifying crevasse hazards. Participants will learn and practice basic techniques for self-arrest, rope team travel, and hauling systems to extricate individuals from crevasses as well as advanced rigging and rescue techniques. The course also includes a review of snow anchors, knots, belaying, and risk management. Students will have practical sessions to simulate rescuing a team from a crevasse and applying the necessary techniques. The objective of the course is to equip participants with the requisite skills to readily tackle crevasse-ridden winter travel.

Itinerary

Day 0: Zoom chat which addresses needed equipment, necessary training, and any other topics of interest before going into the course.

Day 1:

• Meet at the trailhead and hike to high camp

• Lunch at high camp and introduction to mountaineering gear

• Practice holding and self-arrest techniques

• Crevasse rescue theory and demonstration

• Dinner and discussion of the day's activities

Day 2:

• Breakfast and preparation for a glacier travel

• Introduction to rope teams and glacier travel

• Crevasse rescue practice with rope team

• Lunch and discussion of the morning's activities

• Advanced crevasse rescue techniques and self rescue

• Return to high camp and pack up

Physical Readiness:
Mountaineering demands a unique set of physical skills: cardiovascular health, stamina, core strength, flexibility, and balance. While other sports may be helpful, they typically are not enough. Even fit runners can find it tough to navigate steep, irregular terrain while carrying a heavy pack. Don't underestimate climbing-specific training.

You must meet certain fitness criteria to enjoy this course and for safety reasons. If you can't maintain the guide-set pace, you may be turned back. For your safety, adhere to the following guidelines:

• Ability to hike uphill for 1 hour, punctuated by 10-minute rests, for up to 5 hours.
• Capability to ascend 3,000 feet in a day with a backpack weighing at least 40 pounds.

Preparation should ideally start well in advance of the course.

An amazing resource we recommend is The Uphill Athlete which has specific training programs which are well worth the time and money.