Basic Rock Class (BRC)
The BOEALPS Basic Rock Class (BRC) is designed to bridge the gap between the Basic Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing Classes. It introduces students to principles of technical rock and basic alpine climbing, allows them to establish mentorship relationships with more experienced climbers through a 1:1 student-to-instructor ratio, and gives them experience in following a trad lead climber who will lay the groundwork for learning to lead after the class.
The class is designed to leave plenty of time for personal, non-class climbing over the summer. It runs from mid-June through August and includes five full weekend outings and one single-day alpine outing. The class size is limited to 12 students. In addition to weekend outings, there will be one weeknight lecture each week that precedes a weekend outing. There will also be a skills night at the Mountaineers’ Sand Point Clubhouse during the first week of class.
2026 Course Details
- Application Period: May 2026, dates TBD
- Lecture Dates: Monday or Tuesday evenings, June to August 2026
- Lecture Location: Boeing 2-22 Building
- Outing Dates: June to August 2026
- Outing Locations: Varies
- Cost: Members TBD | Guests TBD
- Course Capacity: 12 Students
- Audience: Members & Guests
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*See club calendar for specific dates
- Calendar
- Course Schedule
- Course Documents
Student Applications for 2026 will open in May – keep an eye out for announcements from BOEALPS this spring.
Invitation to Instructors
For those who have the experience and the training to go with it, the BOEALPS Basic Rock Class is a fun class to help instruct.
The instructor application is currently closed while we make updates for the next course, but if you’re interested in instructing or have any questions, please reach out at brc@boealps.org.
If you’re interested in instructing, fill out the instructor application or reach out to the head instructor at brc@boealps.org with any questions.
Course FAQs
This course is aimed at people who have all of the basic mountaineering skills and who have the desire and drive to learn how to climb. The ideal student is someone who has applied the basic principles of mountaineering by going out on their own to experience and learns beyond their basic mountaineering instruction.
In addition, applicants must be in good physical condition. It is difficult to overstate the importance of physical conditioning on a student’s overall class experience.
Yes. Each outing builds the necessary skills that students will use in future outings.
Yes. Each lecture includes presentations, group discussions, climb planning, and logistics for the upcoming outing.
Students may drop from the course at anytime; however, a full refund will only be provided to students who drop prior to the first (Leavenworth) outing. No refund will be available to students who drop during or after the first outing.