Alaska Mountaineering School
" The instructors were highly competent and showed an exceptional level of care and concern for each and every student regardless of their skill level and abilities. "
— Sean Lowther, Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshop
" Overall, an excellent course. All instructors broke down complex protection and rope systems into simple steps that were manageable and made me feel safe about what I was learning. "
— Seth Arens, Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshop
" I was very impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail of the entire organization, from start to finish. "
— Gary Davis, 12 day Mountaineering Course

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Alaska Mountaineering School Denali Skills Workshop Alaska Mountaineering School Denali Skills Workshop Alaska Mountaineering School Denali Skills Workshop

Denali Skills Workshop

The Denali Skills Workshop is intensive with focus on glacier travel techniques and crevasse rescue safety systems used during your expedition. The day starts with a climbing gear check and issuing any items you need. Your instructor will insure you have your pack rigged, ice axe leashed, and the necessary hardware for your glacier rig. From there we move across the street to AMS' indoor climbing gym and simulate climbing out of a crevasse using ropes dangling from the ceiling. After fixed line ascension, we spread out on the lawn to review anchors, belaying, and roping up for glacier travel. We rope up and simulate belaying each other out of a perimeter ca vmp and traveling on a glacier in proper formation. Rescue scenarios involving the middle and end person falling into a crevasse will be conducted using 3 and 4 person rope teams. This workshop is an excellent review for all expedition members and strongly recommended for anyone feeling rusty about glacier travel and crevasse rescue techniques.

WORKSHOP SPECIFICATIONS

Deposit: $100 (Balance Due: 60 days prior to starting date.)

Cost Includes: AMS instructors, group climbing equipment

You are responsible for: Personal climbing equipment (available for rent), meals

FEATURES OF THIS WORKSHOP:

  • Glacier mountaineering ground school: knots, rope work, belaying.
  • Raising systems and fixed-line ascension
  • Crevasse rescue scenarios
  • Roping up for glacier travel, the AMS way
  • Personal and group equipment review
  • Glacier camping concerns

LOCATION

We will meet at AMS' office in downtown Talkeetna at the end of 3rd Street. The class starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. There will be a break for lunch.

EQUIPMENT

Please bring the following equipment with you to the Denali Skills Workshop. Any AMS equipment you plan to rent or purchase for the expedition will be available for the workshop.

  • Mountaineering boots
  • Water bottle and snacks
  • Backpack
  • Harness
  • Helmet
  • Ascender and waist sling
  • Clothing to keep warm and dry all day
  • Chest harness: manufactured or 9' of 1" tubular webbing
  • Gloves that you'll be using on the expedition
  • Ice axe leash: 8 feet of 1/2" tubular webbing
  • Locking "D" carabiners: 1
  • Foot prussic, pack leash, cordlette: 40 feet of 6 mm
  • Regular carabiners: 9
  • Sled Haul & Gear Sling, 16 feet of 1" Tubular webbing
  • Locking "Pear" Carabiners: (large, wide gate): 3
  • Mt. Ice Axe 70 cm with Tether: 8 feet of 11/16" tubular webbing.