This weekend was the first skills outing for the students in the class! The day started at 430am, to ensure we could start our way up to Big Chief Mountain at 7am.

We taught the students how to kick steps and made our way up to the ridge just south of Big Chief. Three hours later, we made it!

Luke started things off by explaining how to travel in a rope team

Getting the students roped up!

When you’re on a mountain, and in tons of high performance gear, things naturally look pretty awesome…

Pae and Arthur practicing my favorite mountain skill, standing around!

After we made the stroll to the summit, we taught them how to self-arrest, how to build snow anchors, various belay methods, and Devin dug an avalanche pit and explained it to the class. Next week is our navigation outing, and our first real summit attempt! Hooray for climbing season!

Lastly, our first team portrait!

^photo by Devin