Post by dougsanders on Dec 4, 2013 7:38:23 GMT -8
This is the first of 3 related posts. It proposes 2 new lists to complement the 10 Essential Systems list.
The first list looks at planning and preparation (Pre-Trip Principals) while the second list looks at trip monitoring (Trip Touchstones.) Although detailed this post is intended to be more conceptual rather than definitive.
BACKGROUND: If you were to ask a scrambler, new or experienced climber, hiker, backpacker, fisher, snowmobiler, boyscout, etc., “What equipment should one take on a trip?” there is a pretty good chance the 10 Essentials Systems would be mentioned by all.
If you were to ask these same people, “What planning and preparation should take place before a trip?” Or, “How can I tell if the trip is doing OK or heading?” the responses would not include any similar list. Yet, successful trip leaders, climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and SAR folks would tell you planning and on-going monitoring of the trip are keys to safety and success; while, lack of adequate consideration, portend failure.
Successfully preparing for a trip and making the right decisions during a trip may, arguably, be more important than the 10 Essential Systems.
GENERAL COMMENT ON LISTS: FOTH is a comprehensive book, far too large to commit to memory. Only after years of learning and experience will the climber become comfortably acquainted with its contents. To the new climber the Freedom's contents are overwhelming. To aid the new climber is we provide memorization aids such as the Climbers Code, 10 Essential Systems, MOFA steps, SRENE, etc. These two lists represent more memorization, which I loathe; however, any SAR person will tell you one of more of are found lacking on virtually every mission. The earlier a climber learns what goes into a successful trip the sooner it will be incorporated into thinking and application.
So, I believe the Basic climber would benefit from an early understanding of an outline of what it takes for a successful trip. This will benefit their adventures whether they be a hike, backpack, scramble, snowshoe or ski mountaineering and especially, on privates trips outside the Mountaineers. And, for the more experienced climber or climb leader, the lists become simple reminders of important considerations.
PROPOSAL: Perhaps it is going too far to suggest a 3 list approach “9, 10, and 11”; “9-10-11,” “9-11” or “9 to 11” However, this is the way the lists are set-presented in these posts. Again, as a memory aid.
9 Pre-Trip Principals
10 Essential Systems (equipment)
11 Trip Touchstones
CLIMBING CODE: One challenge I have found in concocting this was the Climbing Code. The CC is a mixture of both philosophy and specifics. It's all good. Interestingly, planning and preparation are completely absent from the CC. One approach for F9 would be to revise the CC to reflect philosophy and general principals and take out specific techniques. In these 2 lists, most of the CC specifics fit in Trip Touchstones.
USERS: Perhaps The Mountaineers would see these lists gain traction throughout the outdoor community as we've seen for the 10 essentials systems. (For this reason the Climbing Code is left out of these list.)
The first list looks at planning and preparation (Pre-Trip Principals) while the second list looks at trip monitoring (Trip Touchstones.) Although detailed this post is intended to be more conceptual rather than definitive.
BACKGROUND: If you were to ask a scrambler, new or experienced climber, hiker, backpacker, fisher, snowmobiler, boyscout, etc., “What equipment should one take on a trip?” there is a pretty good chance the 10 Essentials Systems would be mentioned by all.
If you were to ask these same people, “What planning and preparation should take place before a trip?” Or, “How can I tell if the trip is doing OK or heading?” the responses would not include any similar list. Yet, successful trip leaders, climbers, outdoor enthusiasts and SAR folks would tell you planning and on-going monitoring of the trip are keys to safety and success; while, lack of adequate consideration, portend failure.
Successfully preparing for a trip and making the right decisions during a trip may, arguably, be more important than the 10 Essential Systems.
GENERAL COMMENT ON LISTS: FOTH is a comprehensive book, far too large to commit to memory. Only after years of learning and experience will the climber become comfortably acquainted with its contents. To the new climber the Freedom's contents are overwhelming. To aid the new climber is we provide memorization aids such as the Climbers Code, 10 Essential Systems, MOFA steps, SRENE, etc. These two lists represent more memorization, which I loathe; however, any SAR person will tell you one of more of are found lacking on virtually every mission. The earlier a climber learns what goes into a successful trip the sooner it will be incorporated into thinking and application.
So, I believe the Basic climber would benefit from an early understanding of an outline of what it takes for a successful trip. This will benefit their adventures whether they be a hike, backpack, scramble, snowshoe or ski mountaineering and especially, on privates trips outside the Mountaineers. And, for the more experienced climber or climb leader, the lists become simple reminders of important considerations.
PROPOSAL: Perhaps it is going too far to suggest a 3 list approach “9, 10, and 11”; “9-10-11,” “9-11” or “9 to 11” However, this is the way the lists are set-presented in these posts. Again, as a memory aid.
9 Pre-Trip Principals
10 Essential Systems (equipment)
11 Trip Touchstones
CLIMBING CODE: One challenge I have found in concocting this was the Climbing Code. The CC is a mixture of both philosophy and specifics. It's all good. Interestingly, planning and preparation are completely absent from the CC. One approach for F9 would be to revise the CC to reflect philosophy and general principals and take out specific techniques. In these 2 lists, most of the CC specifics fit in Trip Touchstones.
USERS: Perhaps The Mountaineers would see these lists gain traction throughout the outdoor community as we've seen for the 10 essentials systems. (For this reason the Climbing Code is left out of these list.)