Cost

The course is very inexpensive, but you have to understand, we are weekend warriors with a love for our sport, not paid guides! You must accept a level of self-sufficiency and responsibility. We will steer you in the right direction, nothing else! This course is for those with a desire to learn the sport. We will provide you with the tools to ascend the worlds mountains. You provide the desire and responsibility we all have on the high places of the earth. We are friends teaching friends, Mountaineers teaching Mountaineering.

Up Front Costs

ECP Membership: $20 individual, $25 family. See our ECP membership application and liability waiver.

The course: $150 ($100 for returning students). You will not find a better value or similar program even remotely as cheap. See the ECP Mountaineering School application.

Textbooks: ~$50 for the 2 required textbooks (Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills and Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue). These can be purchased from Exkursion Outfitters or another retailer.

pic For more than thirty-five years and through six editions, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills has been the "bible" of the climbing world. An essential teaching tool and resource for novice to advanced mountaineers, it is the standard text for climbing courses throughout the United States and abroad. Freedom is the best-selling mountaineering book of all time, with over 500,000 copies sold. Completely updated and revised, the 7th edition reflects the rapid changes in mountaineering that have accompanied its increased popularity, the development of new techniques, and the introduction of new and improved equipment. It redefines the basics with the latest information on climbing and outdoor fundamentals; rock, snow, ice, and alpine climbing; emergency prevention and response; and the mountain environment. Included in the 7th edition are expanded treatments of belaying, leading and protecting on rock, glacier travel and crevasse rescue, and wilderness travel.

pic Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue is a comprehensive course in understanding glaciers, crossing them, avoiding crevasses, and rescuing crevasse victims. Topics covered include: how glaciers form and how crevasses develop; basic principles of glacier travel; route finding; knots and harnesses; holding a fall; rescue techniques, including self-belay and what a victim should do; and glacier skiing and sled hauling. Sidebars feature descriptions of accidents and near-accidents to emphasize the importance of the techniques presented.

 

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Gear and Equipment

The amount of gear and equipment required to be even basically comfortable is large. If you don't already have much technical outdoor gear, You will spend money to pursue this sport - maybe $1000, maybe $3000 in just your first year.

As part of your school fee you can borrow the ECP mountaineering gear free of charge during the school. We have a lot of the essential gear for you to use - check out our equipment catalog link on the ECP website. We go a long way to help ease the pain!

We often are able to secure a significant discount at our friendly neighborhood outfitters: Exkursion for all students during the school term.

Students will NOT be expected to be fully outfitted by the time of the first class.  However, students should be prepared enough by the time of the first outing to get through a day hike in inclement weather that October and early November can bring.

Below is an overview of gear & clothing that students will need to complete the outings prior to the graduation trip.  It is NOT a complete list of all required gear but it should provide prospective students a sense of what they typically will need to purchase themselves (List 1) and what they can typically expect to be borrowed from the ECP or its members (List 2) over the course of the school.  A more detailed explanation of the types of gear required will be provided during the first class.

List 1 - Gear & Clothing Typically Requiring Student Purchase

Note that NONE of the clothing items below should include ANY cotton...As you will learn in the mountaineering school - cotton kills!

Wicking Layer
  • Socks
  • Long underwear bottoms
  • Long underwear top
  • Liner gloves
Insulating Layer
  • 2 pair socks
  • Fleece top
  • Fleece gloves
  • Fleece hat
  • Down parka (or heavy ski jacket)
  • Balaclava / face mask
Shell Layer
  • Hiking boots (this does NOT mean expensive mountaineering boots!)
  • Waterproof/breathable pants
  • Waterproof/breathable jacket
  • Insulated gloves
  • Gaiters
Miscellaneous Gear
  • Headlamp
  • 2 water bottles with insulated holders
  • Sleeping pad (self-inflating or closed cell foam)
  • Sleeping bag (0-20 degree)

List 2 - Group Gear and Gear that can be Typically Borrowed*

  • 2-way radios
  • Backpack
  • Stove
  • Cookware
  • 3 and 4 season tents
  • Bivy sack
  • Glacier axe
  • Ice tools
  • Crampons
  • Mountaineering boots
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Rope
  • Rock and ice protection

* The ECP Mountaineering School and its instructors have most of the more expensive gear that students will need (List 2).  We can not guarantee that each of these items will be available to every student.  However, these items will be available for students to borrow, free of charge, on a first-come-first-served basis.

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Other Expenses

  • The cost of transportation to and from all outings is your responsibility. Carpools will be arranged to keep this at a minumum.
  • All graduation trip expenses (air travel if you choose and minimal lodging) is your responsibility.