Post by dougsanders on Dec 4, 2013 7:30:36 GMT -8
This is the 3rd of 3 related posts. This post looks at draft content for 11 Trip Touchstones. See the introductory post '9, 10, 11' for context.
This conceptual list suggests a guide for making trip decisions. It strives to move away from bias based, impromptu, possibly stressed, decision making . The list has a focus on prevention and safety.
Some elements of the Climbing Code are included. In the hopes that such a list may gain traction outside The Mountaineers and climbing community the CC is not named.
1. Trailhead Check: Introductions? Assignments? Group gear? Everyone ready? Pack weights appropriate? Any new information? Any changes to the Plan? Discuss the next hours including pace, breaks, and water sources. Any red flags or potential areas that need to be watched?
2. Navigation: Orient early to the map. Assure you are on route. When unsure take time and make effort to regain confidence. Sometimes, it may prove easier to eliminate a choice than to confirm one.
3. People: Monitor party members for problems. Everyone eating and drinking? Someone lagging? Lagging will worsen unless the pace, eating/hydration or other issues are mitigated. Options for dealing with illnesses are best when caught early.
4. Time: Manage time and progress. Optimize breaks taking into account location, timing, duration, fatigue, water supplies, etc. Daylight can be priceless if the unexpected occurs; start early. Choose a turn around time that will accommodate some unexpected delay.
5. Hazards: Watch for potentially lethal hazards. The live/die outcome a lethal hazard is unpredictable. Avoid exposures to lethal hazards; find a safer alternative, or mitigate the hazard to improve safety.
6. Weather/Environment. Watch for, and adjust to, adverse changes in weather and route hazards.
7. Perspective: Stay alert to the big picture; avoid fixation on a particular aspect of the trip to the detriment of others. Think ahead, anticipate.
8. Decisions: Guard against risk assessment and decision making bias. What are the facts? What are the options? What do other's think? Maintain safety margins. Never let judgment be overruled by desire when choosing the route or deciding whether to turn back.
9. Safety: Practice well reputed and safe techniques. Redundancy increases the safety of systems; use redundant protection in belays, rappel anchors and elsewhere as needed. Never climb beyond ability and knowledge. Rope up on exposed places/glaciers. There should be 2 rope teams on a glacier. Anchor all belays.
10. Team: Keep the party together or in communication. An interest in splitting the party indicates serious underlying issues. The last person in the party needs to know they are the last.
11. Leadership: Obey leader or majority rule.
This conceptual list suggests a guide for making trip decisions. It strives to move away from bias based, impromptu, possibly stressed, decision making . The list has a focus on prevention and safety.
Some elements of the Climbing Code are included. In the hopes that such a list may gain traction outside The Mountaineers and climbing community the CC is not named.
1. Trailhead Check: Introductions? Assignments? Group gear? Everyone ready? Pack weights appropriate? Any new information? Any changes to the Plan? Discuss the next hours including pace, breaks, and water sources. Any red flags or potential areas that need to be watched?
2. Navigation: Orient early to the map. Assure you are on route. When unsure take time and make effort to regain confidence. Sometimes, it may prove easier to eliminate a choice than to confirm one.
3. People: Monitor party members for problems. Everyone eating and drinking? Someone lagging? Lagging will worsen unless the pace, eating/hydration or other issues are mitigated. Options for dealing with illnesses are best when caught early.
4. Time: Manage time and progress. Optimize breaks taking into account location, timing, duration, fatigue, water supplies, etc. Daylight can be priceless if the unexpected occurs; start early. Choose a turn around time that will accommodate some unexpected delay.
5. Hazards: Watch for potentially lethal hazards. The live/die outcome a lethal hazard is unpredictable. Avoid exposures to lethal hazards; find a safer alternative, or mitigate the hazard to improve safety.
6. Weather/Environment. Watch for, and adjust to, adverse changes in weather and route hazards.
7. Perspective: Stay alert to the big picture; avoid fixation on a particular aspect of the trip to the detriment of others. Think ahead, anticipate.
8. Decisions: Guard against risk assessment and decision making bias. What are the facts? What are the options? What do other's think? Maintain safety margins. Never let judgment be overruled by desire when choosing the route or deciding whether to turn back.
9. Safety: Practice well reputed and safe techniques. Redundancy increases the safety of systems; use redundant protection in belays, rappel anchors and elsewhere as needed. Never climb beyond ability and knowledge. Rope up on exposed places/glaciers. There should be 2 rope teams on a glacier. Anchor all belays.
10. Team: Keep the party together or in communication. An interest in splitting the party indicates serious underlying issues. The last person in the party needs to know they are the last.
11. Leadership: Obey leader or majority rule.