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Spring Rock n' Rolling Skills Weekend

Posted Thursday, February 24, 2011
Rock ClimbingTechnical Skills

Spring Rock n' Rolling Skills Weekend--April 22-24, 2011

Lead Climbing Workshop (April 22, 2011) Description:

Lead climbing opens up a whole new range of terrain and experiences to the aspiring climber…but it also opens up a whole new range of information, considerations, and skills the wise climber needs to be aware of and proficient in.  Where should your belayer be placed?  How to assess if rock is solid?  What are the pros and cons of different kinds of protection?  What constitutes a solid placement?  How to manage your rope throughout this whole process?  If you are looking to enter into the world of lead climbing this season, our workshop will build your proficiency in these fundamentals of lead climbing.  During this workshop you’ll gain experience and information on:

  • Belay strategies based on terrain and subjective/objective hazards
  • Methods for assessing the quality and strength of various types of rock and rock features
  • Techniques implementing natural protection
  • Consideration of the merits of various types of artificial protection and when to use them
  • Strategically considering when and how to place artificial protection
  • Rope management
  • Rappeling from routes

At the end of this workshop, we will integrate all of these skills into mock leading.  Prepare yourself for a safe and exciting season in the lead with this workshop!

Rock Rescue Workshop (April 23, 2011) Description:

WWYD—What Would YOU Do?...

It’s almost the start of the rock climbing season and surely you’re eager to get out and up the cliff.  MOST climbing days are great fun and MOST of the time everything is smooth sailing, but before you head out for the season, you should consider what CAN and DOES happen, and you should be prepared to deal with it.  Before heading out this season, consider the many scenarios that can happen—how would you solve them?:

  • Your partner who is leading up a pitch and you notice a knot has somehow gotten in the line—WWYD?
  • Your partner takes a fall at the local crag and needs assistance,  you need to escape the belay to get emergency help—WWYD?
  • Belaying your second climber up on a multi-pitch with an overhang, they swing out from the wall and can’t get back on—WWYD?
  • Halfway down through a series of rappels, your line gets stuck—WWYD?
  • Halfway up a multi-pitch climb, your second falls and is incapacitated—WWYD?

These are just a few of the problems that every climber needs to be prepared to solve.  Make sure you’re ready for a safe and successful climbing season and for many seasons to come!  In this clinic we’ll cover topics ranging from escaping the belay to passing knots, mechanical raises, ascending lines, transferring loads, and more.  If you’re a climber familiar with basic knots and anchor systems using both natural and artificial protection getting into single or multi-pitch leading and looking to do it in an informed and responsible manner, this course is for you.  What will you do?

This Workshop would make a great Valentine’s gift for the climber you care about!

Multi-pitch Clinic (April 24, 2011) Description:

Multi-pitch climbing takes climbers to new heights, enjoying impressive views and exhilaration that is unparalleled in the horizontal world.  And while it is possible to muddle your way through multi-pitch climbing, if you wish to do it in an efficient, enjoyable, and safe way training is vital.  In this clinic we’ll cover topics including:

  • Building and assessing multi-pitch anchors
  • Party/partner management at belay stations
  • Efficient transitions at belay stations
  • Solutions to common problems at the belay (extending the belay, bringing in a second on traverse, etc)
  • Efficient rappel techniques

If you have recent experience with lead climbing and placing a variety of artificial protection and are familiar with basic rock rescue, this clinic is a great next step in the vertical world.