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Glacier Travel Workshop CLICK The Glacier Travel Workshop provides an introductory level of instruction on the climbing techniques necessary to travel safely on a glacier. The first morning is spent teaching basic knots, wearing a harness, using crampons, self-arrest position, placing ice screws, and building anchors. After a lunch we practice rope coiling, belaying, and stacking for glacier travel. Students break into rope teams and practice traveling and route finding skills. From this we go into simulated crevasse fall scenarios from simple assistance to raising systems, but all on flat terrain. The morning of the second day is spent at a cliff lowering victims over the edge so they can practice fixed-line ascension while the rescuers set up hauling systems. The afternoon is spent roping up for glacier travel in 2, 3, and 4 person teams and incorporating extras such as sleds. Tuition Includes: Instruction, group climbing equipment: ropes, ice screws, group carabiners, webbing Does not include: Transportation, lodging, personal climbing equipment, Glacier Park Resort gate fee - $8 for AMS students Prerequisites: This is an entry level climbing course with a large amount of curriculum so come prepared to receive a lot of information. You can help prepare by reading The Illustrated Guide to Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue, by Mike Clelland and Andy Tyson, published by Climbing Magazine and available at book stores or by calling AMS. AMS instructors wrote this book and it reflects what they teach on this course. If possible, practice two basic climbing knots: the figure 8 on a Bite and the Double Fisherman’s. Having a four foot piece of 6 mm cord available at climbing shops is great for practicing these knots. Participants are expected to be in average athletic condition. Features of This Course Glacier mountaineering ground school Cramponing Raising systems and fixed-line ascension Crevasse rescue scenarios Glacier camping concerns Route finding techniques Location We will meet at the Glacier Park Resort parking lot at the toe of the Matanuska Glacier at 9:00 a.m. sharp on the morning of day one. The Glacier Park Resort is located at mile 103 on the Glenn Highway just before the Long Rifle Lodge and Caribou Creek, phone: 907-745-2534. The “toe” of the glacier provides an ideal classroom for our skills intensive workshop. Expect to be on ice for the duration of the workshop. All instruction will take place on the glacier. Accommodations Participants are on their own for the night. Camping at the Glacier Park is good option for $6 a night. The nearby Long Rifle Inn which over looks the Matanuska Glacier has rooms and dining available for $60-$70 per night (single & double occupancy). Call 907-745-5151 for reservations. Equipment Please contact the AMS office for an Equipment List. [Click For Course Application] [Click For Graduates' Comments]

Top of Page Travel & Lodging General Info Email Us Alaska Mountaineering School Colby Coombs & Caitlin Palmer, Directors PO BOX 566, 3rd Street, Talkeetna, AK 99676 USA phone: (907)733-1016 fax: (907)733-1362 email: info@climbalaska.org AMS top image: Alaska Range viewed from Talkeetna Mount Foraker (17,400'), Mount Hunter (14,570'), Denali (20,320')