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Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue

Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue

This course provides hands-on training in essential crevasse rescue skills for climbers and skiers traveling on glaciated terrain. Participants will learn critical techniques for self- and team-rescue, including rope team travel, crevasse fall arrest, and rescue systems.

Program Details

Itinerary
Pre-Course (Self-Paced, ~2 Weeks Prior)

  • Learn foundational knots, hitches, and techniques via provided instructional videos.
  • Acquire or arrange to borrow necessary equipment.

Day 1 Afternoon/Evening Session (Half-Day)

  • Introduction, course overview, and equipment check.
  • Knots and hitches review; Q&A from pre-course learning.
  • Rope team setup, spacing, and movement fundamentals.
  • Crevasse rescue basics—ascending, rappelling, haul systems, and progress capture.
  • Wrap-up, Q&A, and next-day briefing.

Day 2 Field Session (Full Day)

  • Safety briefing & equipment check.
  • Approach to practice site.
  • Self-arrest, team arrest, and rope team travel drills.
  • Snow/ice anchor construction, load transfer, and achieving “Baseline” rescue setup.
  • Break for lunch.
  • Full crevasse rescue scenarios with live loads.
  • Course debrief, final Q&A, and return to trailhead.

What to Bring
Clothing & Gear
  • Clothing for a full day in the snow
  • Food and water for practice sessions
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Ice axe (hammer recommended)
  • Appropriate snow-travel equipment (Mountaineering boots or Ski boots)
  • Crampons (optional)
  • Shovel (optional, recommended)
  • Backpack (20L minimum)
Technical Equipment
  • Climbing rope (1 per team, UIAA 101 dynamic or UIAA 102/EN564 static)
  • 5 locking carabiners
  • 4 non-locking carabiners (can also be locking)
  • 1 auto-blocking belay device
  • 1 progress capture pulley (e.g., Petzl Micro-Traxion)
  • 1 × 20’ (7mm cord or quad-length sling)
  • 1 × 20’ (6mm cord)
  • 1 double-length sling
  • 1 prusik loop or sewn hollow block
  • Snow picket (provided during the course)
  • 1–2 ice screws (optional)