Crevasse Rescue Skills
Crevasse rescue is essential for ascents of Rainier, Denali and other glaciated routes. In our Crevasse Rescue Skills course, UMA instructors will demonstrate and participants will practice belaying and maintaining proper rope tension, building snow anchors and raising systems, and ascending a rope.
Course Dates
- Apr 4, 2026 (Saturday)
- Apr 18, 2026 (Saturday)
- May 2, 2026 (Saturday)
UMA’s Crevasse Rescue Skills course provides instruction in glacial travel, belaying, snow anchors, raising systems and ascending a rope.
The guide will explain “reading” glacial terrain for the safest route. The instructor will demonstrate the use of snow pickets, deadman anchors, bollards, and snow flukes, and participants will practice these techniques. The bulk of the day will be spent learning the knots, hitches and pulley systems involved in crevasse rescue and other raising situations.
Participants will build drop-C and 3:1 system and learn to escape a belay, belay themselves to a crevasse lip, pad the lip and raise or lower an injured companion. Students will be taught and practice ascending a rope.
Crevasse Rescue Skills Outcomes
- Glacial travel
- Belaying
- Snow anchors
- Raising systems
- Ascending a rope
Max Student : Instructor Ratio
4 : 1
Next steps in mountaineering
In addition to hiring a private UMA guide for a mixed alpine climb, the following courses may be great progressions in your mountaineering training.
Course dates don’t fit your schedule?
Any of our pre-scheduled courses can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.
Course Prerequisites
- UMA’s Snow Mountaineering Skills or equivalent is required to take this course.
Fitness & Skill Level
- You must be able to hike in snow above 8,000′.
- You must have the ability to self-arrest.
- You should have a mastery of Munter Mule Overhand (MMO) hitch/knot, autoblock knot, Prussik and/or other friction hitches.
This full-day course takes place in one of Salt Lake City’s local canyons (expect to be in the field for 8 hours). Guests should to bring their own snacks, lunch and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.
SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION
The usual meeting time and place are 8 am in Alta, but these are subject to change. Exact meeting times and locations will be provided to enrolled participants before the course date.
GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR
You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you directly by email to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.
How To Register
- Register Online
- Call us at (801) 550-3986
- Email us at [email protected]
UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.
Crevasse Rescue EQUIPMENT LIST
- Non-cotton top and bottom base layers
- Puffy, hooded overcoat and/or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
- Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants
- Wool (and liner) socks
- Waterproof snow gloves and mittens or spare gloves
- Lightweight climbing and/or fleece gloves
- Warm hat or balaclava for under your helmet
- Baseball cap (optional)
- Sunglasses and goggles
- Sunscreen
- 2 liters of water (water bag/bladder not recommended)
- Lunch and quick energy snacks
- Mountaineering boots
- Gaiters
- Mountaineering crampons (optional)
- Mountaineering axe
- Harness
- Helmet
- Backpack (25-45 liters)
- 5 locking carabiners
- 4 non-locking carabiners
- 1 auto-blocking belay device (ATC Guide/Reverso)
- 1 or 2 slings (48in/120cm)
- 20-30′ of 4-5mm accessory cord (get 30′ if you’re taller, this will be for making 2 Prusik
friction hitches on our field day) - Picket (Yates or MSR mid-clip) – optional
- Ice screw (16-21cm) – optional
- Micro traxion – optional
- Tibloc and a small, lightweight pulley – optional
- Beacon (location and conditions dependent)
- Shovel (location and conditions dependent)
- Probe (location and conditions dependent)
- Snowshoes (location and conditions dependent)
Please see our Winter/Spring Mountaineering Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.
Recommended Resources
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills by The Mountaineers
Please see the Mountaineering section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.
How do I learn crevasse rescue in the Wasatch when there are no glaciers left?
UMA uses a cornice edge or other terrain feature to teach raising systems and a rock cliff to teach ascending.
How do I learn the necessary knots ahead of the course?
YouTube offers many instructional videos.
