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Past Activity

2026 Basic Climb School

  • Start date: 03/10/2026

  • Start time: 6:00 PM

  • End date: 03/10/2026

  • End time: 8:30 PM

Description:

Sign Up on this Event! Signing up for this event will register you for all 6 days of Climb School.
Sign up will open for members on Wednesday January 14 and for everyone else on January 21.
Climb School is ideal for those interested in the basics of mountaineering or who just need a refresher. The skills that you will learn will allow you to follow on entry level mountains with the Obsidians.
After completing Climb School, students will have an opportunity to sign up for a Graduation Climb where experienced climb leaders will take recent graduates on entry level climbs on Diamond Peak and/ Mt Thielsen at a learning pace.

Tuesday, March 10 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM (Obsidian Lodge): Introduction to climbing. Topics include basic knots, types of climbing, gear, clothing, nutrition and training for climbing.
Thursday, March 12 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM (Obsidian Lodge): Basic snow travel skills. Topics include safety considerations for snow travel, proper use of an ice ax and other snow travel equipment, roping up and negotiating crevasses.
Saturday, March 14* from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (TBD, though likely Little Nash Crater, Santiam Pass): Snow field session. Skill development includes: techniques for traveling on snow, self-arrest, building snow anchors, roped travel on snow.
Monday, April 6 from 6:00- 8:30 PM (Obsidian Lodge) Intro to rock climbing. Climbing gear, knots review, rock climbing technique, climb difficulty ratings, what to bring on a rock climb, and introduction to anchors.
Tuesday, April 7 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM (Bob Keefer Center for Sports and Recreation, Springfield): Indoor rock climbing skills. Topics include a review of knots, safety checks, climbing commands, how to belay, climbing technique basics.
Saturday, April 11* from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (you will choose AM or PM for your session at Skinner Butte Columns): Outdoor climbing skills. Topics include knot review, belaying a climber on top rope, travelling on a fixed line and rappelling.
*Field sessions are scheduled on Saturdays, however, if the weather looks significantly better on Sunday, we will change to the Sunday.

Registration:
At obsidians.org navigate to the calendar (link on home page upper right corner) listing for the ‘2026 Climb School’ on March 10. Click the link to see the event. In the upper right corner of the ‘2026 Climb School’ page you will see a sign up button which will take you to the sign up page. If you are an Obsidians Member you will need to login to enable the sign up process. If you are not an Obsidians member you will be directed to establish a guest account so that you can sign up (or you can join the Obsidians!). Note that the non-member cost for this training is equal to 1 year of Obsidians membership. If you want the discounted Member Rate, join the Obsidians prior to signing up. If you have questions, please contact: Dalen Willhite and Steve Davis at dcwillhite@gmail.com and lunaripple1@gmail.com.

  • Event Leader: Dalen Willhite

  • Event Leader Phone: 406-570-4514

  • Event Leader Email: dcwillhite@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader: Steve Davis

  • Event category: Climbs

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location:

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles:

  • Season: 2026

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: The Obsidians will provide all ropes, anchors and group gear needed for the field sessions. You will need to provide your own harness, helmet, and prusik cord. We have the following personal gear available if you are unable to purchase your own: helmets, belay devices, and locking carabiners.

  • participant prerequisites: A good attitude and willingness to learn.

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance:

  • Member Fees: 120

  • Elevation Gain:

  • Non-Member Fees: 170

  • Committee: Climbs

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

2026 Climb School had a great group of students and volunteers as we were met with difficult weather and conditions for our field days.
The General Class and Snow focused class where we were able to cover the basics of what to expect in a climb, basics for your pack, equipment, safety, and so much more. The Snow field session had to be held at Timberline due to lack of sufficient snow in our local hills.
The students had a great Rock intro class at the Lodge where they learned knots, how to care for soft goods (ropes, etc), climbing technique and more. The next evening we were at the Willamalane Bob Keefer Center in Springfield for some time on the rock wall. The students learned how to belay and climb as well as more technique practice on the boulder wall at the rock gym. Every student was belay certified for climbing the Willamalane Rock Wall. The April 11 outside rock session was moved inside due to rain on Sat. The students learned to ascend and travel horizontally on fixed lines. They also did mock rappels and learned how to build climbing anchors. Then on two evenings in April we did real climbing and rappelling. Everyone learned new things and had fun.
It will be great seeing our graduates attend their Graduation Climbs and beyond.