Mountaineering Program

Mountaineering Program

MWR Community Recreation is bringing back our Mountaineering Program in 2024! We will teach you all the foundations of mountaineering, including avalanche awareness, ascending steep snow slopes, and using an ice axe. Our program will culminate with climbing two of Washington’s volcanoes. We will climb Mount St. Helens in May, famous for its 1980 eruption, and a great first climb for many PNW mountaineers. These classes are required to participate in our one summit attempt. Visit the Community Recreation office or call (425) 304-3573/3449 for more information

Avalanche Awareness Workshops (Free)

Thursday, Jan. 18 | 6-7 p.m. 
Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-7 p.m. 
Thursday, March 21 | 6-7 p.m. 
 

Ice Axe Skills Workshops ($15 Community Recreation, $13 Liberty-Eligible)

Sunday, Jan. 21 – Stevens Pass, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 – Stevens Pass, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 –Stevens Pass 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
 

Summit Attempts

Mount St. Helens: May 7-8, 2024

Avalanche Awareness: Learn how to identify avalanche terrain in the field and read avalanche forecasts to ensure you stay safe on your winter excursions. This class is a prerequisite to participate in our Mount St. Helens climb in May.

Intro to Mountaineering: Curious about submitting one of Washington's five volcanoes, or other major peaks? Come find out what mountaineering is all about in this introductory class! We will cover gear, training, and skills, as well as give you a rundown of MWR's mountaineering program in 2024, where we will summit Mount St. Helens!

Ice Axe Skills: Learn how to safely navigate snow slopes using an ice axe. We will cover self-belay, self-arrest, glissading techniques, and other items for basic mountaineering skills. This class is a prerequisite for our Mount St. Helens climb in May.

Disclaimer: 18+ to participate. Open to 14-17 with a parent participating in the program.