TCS Advanced Snow

Alpine Climbing School Advanced Snow instruction is geared towards alpine climbing and more aggressive pursuits, and teaches the advanced skills needed to participate safely on non-glaciated mountaineering climbs within Colorado - in all seasons and weather conditions. ACS includes training in preparation for graduation climbs which may involve direct ascent of steep snow couloirs, potential mixed rock and snow, fourth class scrambling, short sections of belayed low fifth class rock climbing, and use of rope for protection and rappelling. The course includes use of rope and anchor systems to belay climbers.

The course does not address team rope travel, which is an advanced skill that is addressed in the CMC Glacier Travel School.  

This is not an introductory class, and we’ve used the terminology “advanced” because the course builds on skills acquired in other CMC classes.

There are two ACS pre-requisite courses for Advanced Snow:

• Intermediate Snow, which addresses snow travel using an ice axe and crampons in an alpine environment.

• Intermediate Rock Climbing, which addresses a range of climbing techniques including rappelling, knots, rope anchor systems, and self-rescue techniques.  

Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to the start date of this class.  Equivalent experience may be considered.   

These classes are intended to be taken together and sequentially.  Advanced Snow introduces the use of rope and anchor systems for protection while climbing or descending snow or mixed sections of rock, snow and ice.

Course Objectives:

Skills covered in Advanced Snow include:

●        Self-Arrest with Crampons (Intermediate Snow Review)

●        Roped Climbing and Descending

●        Belaying On Snow

●        Snow Anchor Systems