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Post by nicklyle on May 30, 2013 7:32:20 GMT -8
As is often the case Everett seems to be leading the way. They are offering an Intermediate Glacier Climbing Course, a stand-alone seminar, designed to teach Basic Grads what they need to know to lead glacier climbs. See: sites.google.com/site/intermediateglacierclimbing/course-outlineThe Seattle Branch Intermediate Winter Mountaineering field trip, at least when I was involved with it, was combining this material with winter mountaineering material. I think both topics would be better served by being taught as two separate seminars, with the winter mountaineering material taught in winter conditions and the glacier travel component taught in spring-summer conditions (with compact snow or ice). The Glacier travel material is what Intermediate climbing students need as they begin to rope-lead on basic climbs. The winter mountaineering component is really a separate discipline, some of this material could be optional for Intermediate climbers, taught in smaller seminars for those truly interested in winter travel. Essential survival techniques, like building snow shelters, can be included in the intermediate (or even better, the basic) glacier travel course.
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Post by gregggagliardi on May 30, 2013 12:03:24 GMT -8
I salute those at Everett for taking the lead on this. I also salute those at our other branches who have stepped up to offer new courses to address these issues. Diversity and adaptation are the keys to survival and fecundity.
I have long been a proponent of modular training. It makes sense both to better meet the interests and needs of our members and as the best way to teach the necessary skills.
Many new members join the Mountaineers with specific interests and/or objectives. Many only wish to rock climb; others have little or no interest in rock climbing and, instead, want to be able to climb glaciated peaks. Still others wish to climb, but only easier routes. They have no interest beyond the basic climbing program. Yet when they complete the basic course they have trouble getting on climbs.
We constantly lose members because we fail to meet their expectations. What do we offer basic graduates beyond an opportunity to become intermediate students? What do we offer basic students who want to learn more about glacier climbing, and expeditionary climbing? What about those who mainly want to boulder, sport climb or crag climb? Do they need to take the basic climbing course?
What about those who want an intensive climbing course that will prepare them to go on basic climbs soon. I am confident that I could teach them what we teach our basic students in 1- week intensive (24 x 7) outdoor course.
As I see it climbing training breaks out into the following modular sections in the following progressions. Each section further divides into rope follower skills and rope leader skills:
Rock climbing (gym to sport to crag to multi-pitch to big wall): a) Follower skills b) Leader skills Glacier climbing (from Cascade Volcanos to expeditions) a) Follower skills b) Leader skills Ice climbing (top roped single pitch to multi-pitch to multi pitch mixed) a) Follower skills b) Leader skills
Common to the outdoor components of all sections (Let's call it Backcountry Skills):
Safety/wilderness first aid (includes weather and risk management) Camping Scrambling (to 3rd class) Navigation (basic map and compass) Leave no trace/stewardship
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Post by nicklyle on May 30, 2013 12:23:50 GMT -8
Actually, Seattle branch is offering an intensive Basic Climbing course this year. I believe Tacoma uses a modular program.
It makes sense to have a variety of program structures among the various branches. Smaller branches may prefer to run a smaller number of comprehensive courses, while larger branches may benefit from offering a wide array of modular courses.
My favorite arrangement would be to offer Scrambling/backcountry skills,basic alpine rock, and basic alpine glacier/snow as three separate courses.
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Post by gregggagliardi on Jun 3, 2013 11:11:10 GMT -8
Tacoma does not yet follow a modular program. We do offer some freestanding courses (sport, crag and ice).
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Post by Tony Tsuboi on Sept 26, 2013 14:48:57 GMT -8
IGC is a great course. It is the one class we offer that dives deep into trip planning. This is applicable to any off trail travel (scrambling, alpine climbing, backcountry skiing, cross country travel.) That planning is applied to the experience climb, which the students plan themselves and execute as a field trip with a summit attempt. Decision making is borrowed from the AIARE DMF, generalized and applied to both planning and execution.
The IGC offering is intended to enable the participant to plan and execute their own glacier climb. There has been interest in this, especially from those who graduate Basic but are not interested in leading on rock. In 2013, our Alpine Ice component was modularized with IGC as the prerequisite.
Sadly, we don't have a course coordinator to drive this next year, so we are considering not offering this class in 2014.
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Post by jimnelson on Sept 27, 2013 9:32:49 GMT -8
I would like to see more of this approach with the Basic courses.
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