Get ready to boost your alpine skills with inexpensive, bite-sized classes based on specific topics. Topics will include practical self rescue, mechanical advantage hauling systems, belay/ rappel transition tricks, descending and rappelling tactics to increase efficiency, especially with larger groups, building and cleaning sport climbing anchors, map and compass navigation, smart phone GPS navigation.
Activity Notes
?Second Sunday? Alpine Skills Clinic: Crafty Rappel Tricks Sunday Nov 13 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mazamas Mountaineering Center Mazamas members $20, non-members $30 Instructor: John Godino
So you know the basics of rappelling. Great, let's learn some more advanced skills!
Some of the topics we'll cover include:
How to keep your device secure when loading and unloading the rope (aka, never drop your device) Good way to rappel on steep snow (hint, don?t throw your rope) How to cast, not throw, your rope Adding friction to a rappel Ways to rig an extended rappel How to do a pre-rigged rappel (and how this can make it safer to simul-rap) How to quickly descend 2+ rope lengths of terrain that at least one person on your team can safely downclimb How to anchor your team on the way down
and if time allows, we may cover:
The no-twist munter hitch rappel How best to use a vertical chain anchor How to rappel past a team that's going up
Gear needed: harness, a few carabiners, rappel device,a few slings/runners, friction hitch/prusik loop.
This will be "ground school", so no helmet or rock shoes are needed. To try to get through a lot of material, we'll have a mix of students watching a short demo, and then other skills with students doing things hands-on.
Recommended experience level: comfortable with the basic skills of rappelling with a tube style ATC device.
The links above go to articles from my website Alpinesavvy that cover these topics. I highly recommend you read these before class, as it will make our in-person time be more effective.
Hope to see you,
John
