Curriculum

Self Rescue-EX

In the spring, we are offering a rescue focused class to assist both rock leaders and rock followers.  We are building this class around the needs of the WAC Basic Climbing Class, with a focus on developing our instructors to help on our alpine climbs.  The one weekend class provides skills that are useful as an assisting instructor on The Tooth or Lundin (or in your general climbing career).  The second weekend covers additional skills which are focused more on small party alpine climbing.

The class is offered in a 1 week version for up to 12 students.  The 2 week version of the class is open to 6 students who cover the first weekend (as part of the 12) and then continue for a second weekend and additional skills.  

The first weekend (single weekend class or half of the two weekend class) is focused on rescuing a follower from above in a single-pitch scenario.  These skills are informed by a rescue scenario on The Tooth in the Basic Climbing Class   The dates for the first weekend are April 22, 26, and 27.

The second weekend is focused on rescuing a leader from below, multi-pitch rescue techniques, and rope recovery skills.  The dates for the second weekend are May 27, 31, and June 1.

Each class week is typically a Tuesday night session, and then Saturday and Sunday full days in the field.

Apply for the class HERE.  

Applications are due April 1.  All applicants will be interviewed by phone, and everyone will be notified of acceptance by April 12.  

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email the cochairs here:  wac-icc-chairs@googlegroups.com

At this time, we are only accepting applications for the Rescue-EX class described above.  We intend to open applications for the fall class described below in June.

The fall Intermediate Climbing Course is a multi-week, multi-discipline class covering the skills needed for traditional lead climbing, and party self rescue.  These topics are described in more detail below.  

We ask all students and instructors to pass a knots test to help evaluate your current skill level.  The test can be found here.

The class supports "Rock-only" (three weekends), and "Rescue-only" (one weekend) options, but preference is given to students taking both portions of the class.

Trad Leading on Rock

The rock portion of the curriculum covers everything you need to climb moderate multi-pitch alpine rock climbs. This includes:

• Lead climbing technique

• Proper gear placement using nuts, cams, and other traditional climbing gear

• Anchor systems with trad gear

• Multi-pitch climbing technique: belaying from above, swapping leads, rope management, etc.

• Alpine trip planning

Rock I is your opportunity to practice placing gear on easy rock routes where the focus is on proper gear selection, organization, and placement rather than climbing technique.  In addition to this you will be learning  the basics of how to build trad anchors.  After each mock lead climb you will rappel with an instructor and each piece of gear will be collaboratively evaluated. 

Rock II extends your climbing range by focusing on multi-pitch climbing, anchor building and rope management, as well as crack climbing technique.

Rock III moves onto more difficult and varied climbing terrain.  Like Rock I, after each mock lead climb you will rappel with an instructor and each piece of gear will be evaluated jointly.  The objective of the weekend is to do real leads on rock routes.  The lecture prior will go over Alpine climbing and trip planning as a rock leader.

Party Self Rescue

The self rescue portion will teach you how to improvise solutions to for rescuing yourself and your partner in vertical terrain. Specifically this covers things like:

• Escaping the belay

• Follower rescue

• Leader rescue

• Ascending the rope

• Tandem rappels

• Pully systems

• Passing knots on rappel