Dustin_schmidt Posted November 2, 2002 Posted November 2, 2002 dose anybody know anything about the SVC (mount vernon) mountaineering course ? i have looke on there web page and i cant find anything. it starts on the 4th of april. but i dont know when or where to register for it. i found out about it on the Skagit alpine club web site but there is not a lot of info on it. e-mail me if any of you can help me out or recomend a better course. thanks ... Quote
Dustin_schmidt Posted November 12, 2002 Author Posted November 12, 2002 well i thought i would get some help here but i guess you have to know people to get any help. Quote
jon Posted November 12, 2002 Posted November 12, 2002 Hey Dustin, there are a lot of organizations offering classes out there. I personally haven't heard of this before, is SVC a club or a guiding outfit? Or do you mean SAC? Don't get discouraged, just top your topic once every couple of days so people see it. Quote
Thinker Posted November 12, 2002 Posted November 12, 2002 This link indicates SAC and SVC are related. I personally don't know anything about the club or the class. If you're still looking at alternatives, check out the WAC. One of the better courses in the PacNW, IMHO. Quote
Dustin_schmidt Posted November 12, 2002 Author Posted November 12, 2002 well svc is skagit valley college in mt vernon, they put on a mountaineering course. it is supposed to be pretty good. it goes 1 night a week and every weekend is hands on stuff on mt.baker then at the end you get a chance to summit baker. it sounds like a good course. jsut wasnt sure if they were having it this season. i have looked into WAC Quote
Thinker Posted November 14, 2002 Posted November 14, 2002 and what's you're opinion on the WAC? Quote
Pencil_Pusher Posted November 20, 2002 Posted November 20, 2002 Sheee-it, I may as well put in the plug for the Boeing Alpine Society. They have a basic and intermediate class each year, both begin in March. Similar deal to the SVC mentioned, basic is one night a week, ten weekends almost in a row with a summit attempt on Baker for graduation. Everyone's gotta learn somehow... [ 11-20-2002, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: Pencil Pusher ] Quote
Toast Posted November 20, 2002 Posted November 20, 2002 I know the Mountaineers catch a lot of flack on this board, but to be honest, they and other organized groups like them (BOALPS, AAI, WAC) are a good way to get introduced to climbing and alpine adventure. The Mountaineers are a large organization with a LOT of students. As a result, their students tend to be clinggy, they do treat students like children to begin with, they teach things ONE way and ONE way only, and they do have a few pricks that are almost impossible to get rid of in a volunteer organization. But, hey, who are we to talk The Mountaineers tend to be very conservative in their approach, but they are comprehensive in requirements. A Basic Climing graduate from the Everett Mountaineers, for example, has had 20+ hours in first aid and first responder type training. They have been schooled on all of the fundamentals (navigation, weather, clothing, equipment, roped travel on glaciers, self arrest...) Probably most valuable is both classtime and field training in rescue technique. They drill on that shit, and I'm glad they do. If I take a fall and my partner is an Everett Mountaineer, I know he/she has been trained in how to deal with the situation, conduct emergency tie off, escape a belay, rig a haul system, and treat me for first aid. Can you tell I'm an Everett Mountaineer Seriously, if you are new to climbing and especially alpine adventure and mountaineering, take a comprehensive course from a reputable organization, but don't leave it at that. When you're done, come climb with us and get exposed to "other" ways of doing things (lead climbing, sport climbing, ice climbing, hanging belays, double rope systems...) There is a big world outside of the Mountaineers, but they are extremely good at introducing newcomers to the sport. Quote
AlpinistAndrew Posted November 21, 2002 Posted November 21, 2002 Also you can check out the Mountaineers, they have branches in Everett, B'ham, Seattle (there are the other branches, but not close to Skagit Valley). I have taken some courses with the Mountaineers and I like it a lot. One of the classes they offer is the Basic Climbing Class (teaches you basic rock and glacier/snow climbing skills). Quote
plexus Posted November 26, 2002 Posted November 26, 2002 Dustin, The SAC teaches the class through SVC. As of now the class is looking for a new instructor. There is also talk of making two classes or just a scrambling class. Give me a PM and I can tell you who to talk to for that. Quote
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