Academic classes
1 credit
Instructor: Andy Sterns (T01); Christian Mogensen (T02)
Offered Spring and Fall semesters.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class. This course is physically demanding and requires a willingness to try new and potentially hazardous activities. It is helpful, be not required, to be at least somewhat comfortable with heights.
An introduction to the fundamentals of rock climbing. The primary objective of this course is to allow students to safely and competently enjoy the sport of rock climbing in the climbing gym, and prepare them for outdoor rock climbing. Students will learn to recognize risks and hazards associated with rock climbing and how to avoid or minimize them. Topics will include climbing equipment, knots, rope handling, belaying, lead climbing, anchor construction, rappelling, climbing techniques as well as hazard evaluation and risk assessment.
1 credit
Instructor: Tristan O'Donoghue
Offered in May during summer semester.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class. This course is physically demanding and requires a willingness to try new and potentially hazardous activities. It is helpful, be not required, to be at least somewhat comfortable with heights.
An introduction to the fundamentals of outdoor rock climbing. Topics will include top rope climbing and belaying, knots and hitches, equipment, basic anchor construction, climbing techniques, rappelling, and hazard evaluation and risk assessment. The primary objective of this course is to allow students to safely and competently enjoy the sport of rock climbing in the outdoors.
1 credit
Instructor: Christian Mogensen
Offered Spring and Fall semesters unless otherwise noted.
Prerequisites: RECR F140H or equivalent skill set; permission of instructor.
This class builds upon the fundamentals of rock climbing taught in Beginning Rock Climbing. Topics include more complex anchor building, multi-pitch climbing, rescue systems, trad protection, belaying two followers, lead belaying with a Grigri, and more.
The primary objective of this course is to build on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Beginning Rock Climbing class. Students will learn more advanced climbing systems and techniques to add to their skillset.
This course is physically demanding and requires a willingness to try new and potentially hazardous activities. It is helpful, be not required, to be at least somewhat comfortable with heights.
1 credit
Instructor: Christian Mogensen
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this class. This course is physically demanding and requires a willingness to try new and potentially hazardous activities. It is helpful, be not required, to be at least somewhat comfortable with heights.
This course introduces students to ice climbing.
The majority of this course is taught outdoors on ice here on campus and down in the Alaska Range on frozen waterfalls. The primary objective of this course is to allow students to safely and competently enjoy the sport of ice climbing. Topics include ice climbing equipment, knots, rope handling, belaying, anchor construction, rappelling, ice climbing techniques as well as hazard evaluation and risk assessment. The course has four scheduled Weekend field trips to the Denali Park Area during the first half of the spring semester.
All technical gear is provided for this class. You will need to provide your own clothing. We do have a limited supply of clothing available to borrow if needed, so don't let a lack of appropriate clothing deter you!
1 credit
Instructor: Tristan O'Donoghue
Offered in July of summer semester
Appropriate Student Background:
Students must have a proficient level of experience in basic climbing systems(top rope belay technique, figure 8 knot, some anchor equalization knowledge, rappelling, etc...). Enrollees must be in sufficient physical condition to undertake a rigorous program that includes hiking, high angle rock climbing, and days of up to ten hours in length. Students must also have the appropriate clothing to spend full days outside in inclement weather.
This course is designed to take students who have a grasp of the basics of rock climbing and sport leading to the next level with their climbing. The granite cracks of Hatcher Pass state park are a great place to introduce the fundamental techniques of crack climbing. The number of granite climbs of Hatcher Pass is also an ideal setting for developing the ability to place trad gear effectively. Through this progression we hope to develop student skills and confidence to be ready to do moderate trad leading by the end of the course.