Academic classes

Student climbing the indoor wall
Beginning Rock Climbing
RECR F140H T01 and  RECR F140H T02 Honors: F140H 902  

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.

Honors section: This class does offer an Honors section, which is listed under RECR F140H 902

Students climbing the indoor wall
 Intermediate Rock Climbing
RECR F140J T01 Honors: F140J 902

1 credit 

Instructor: Christian Mogensen

Offered Spring and Fall semesters unless otherwise noted.

Prerequisites: RECR F140H or equivalent skill set; permission of instructor. Contact Christian if interested in registering: cgmogensen@alaska.edu

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.

Honors section: This class does offer an Honors section, which is listed under RECR F140J 902

Student climbing ice wall
Introduction to Ice Climbing
RECR F140L T01

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!