So this year, I signed up for the BoeAlps Alpine Climbing Course (ACC). I’ve always wanted to learn how to trad climb, and some friends in the group nudged me to sign up, since it’s an alpine trad climbing class.
The first handful of outings would go over skills one learned in the Basic Climbing Class (BCC), and some new and advanced climbing techniques. The first outing occurred while I was in Zurich, but the folks running the course let me make it up, provided I find some instructors to go over the skills.
Luckily, Amanda, Katie, and Tyler agreed to help out, and go over the skills! Liz also missed the outing, so things generally worked out!
The duo that saved the day! I’m very grateful for my friends in the club!
Tyler and Jessi going over pack hauling setups
Haulin’ stuff!
Ascending the rope!
Rappelling past a knot!
Simul-climbing demo!
The next skills outing was to go over snow skills! It was up at Artist Point, and the weather was…
…pretty crappy!
We practiced all of the basic skills that the BCC covered, and learned new ones, like 2-person crevasse rescue!
Artsy fartsy shots
We also dug snow caves and slept in them!
Hiking out, thank the lord!
The third skills outing was to cover a bunch of new rock climbing rescue techniques! We spent the weekend in Leavenworth, and the day started off sunny and clear, and then a storm blew in…
It brought crazy winds and snow…
Kati’s stoke was high tho!
After an hour or so, it cleared up!
This was to go over retrieving an incapacitated climber…
An able climber goes down, and straps the injured climber to themselves…
The extra bodies helped with the cold wind…
Then, the belayers up top build pulley systems to haul the two of you back up!
Also, it started snowing again…
Steph: “You see, Kala, if Russell, or any other boy ever tries to mansplain’ shit to you, just cut ’em or strangle them like this…”
Steph: “Then, to dispose of their body, just tie them to your back and haul them to a nice and deep crevasse. I recommend red webbing. It’ll hide the blood stains, so you can re-use it for other things… and no one will ever know!”
It eventually cleared up, and eventually started snowing again during the rope stretcher demo
And by the time we made one, it was clear again!
The second day at Leavenworth involved mock trad leads and making actual gear anchors to belay people up on
Seth going over things
Overall, I’m glad I signed up for the class. More posts will follow!