Climbing Training Class

                                                                     2013 Climbing Committee Spring Training Class Application is CLOSED

The deadline to apply for the 2013 Climbing Committee Spring Training Class was February 28, 2013.  Please check back December 2013 to apply for the 2014 class.
The annual training program is offered for the novice or beginner climber with a strong interest in climbing regularly with the club. You must be an AMC member [1] to participate and to climb with the AMC.  No prior experience is necessary for the class, but it is expected that members will climb with the AMC regularly upon successfully completing the class.   The class is not designed for experienced climbers who do not lead trad.
Skills Taught in the Training Class
You should:

· Be able to build a solid top rope anchor using webbing and/or static rope.  This is important. You'll be rappelling and climbing on this anchor.  Trees or gear anchor points may be used.

· Have solid knowledge of basic knots: harness tie-in and backup, figure eight-on-a-bite (or equivalent) leash, girth hitch, and can join two rappel ropes

· Use common climbing commands appropriately.

· Properly belay a rope leader.

· Know how to choose and attach yourself to a belay anchor on the ground.

· Properly clean gear from the rock.

· Know when, why, and how to flake rope both at bottom of a climb and at the beginning of each successive pitch.

· Know how to rappel.

· Wear your harness properly.

· Coil the rope properly.

· Know when, why, and how to safely ascend rope using friction knots, e.g. prussik.

· Know when, why, and how to safely escape a loaded belay.

The Training Class is not designed for people with a casual interest in rock climbing or for people who "just want to try" rock climbing. Those people will be better served taking one of the AMC's basic rock climbing workshops. For more information and a schedule of workshops please see AMC Outdoors or the online catalog [2]. Within close proximity to New York City and North Jersey are the rock climbing workshops offered by the Mohican Outdoor Center [3] for more information call the center at (908) 362-5670.
For those with a more serious interest in climbing, successful completion of the Climbing Committee's Training Class provides a network of experienced climbing partners and allows one to participate in scheduled club trips.
AMC Membership Note. All Training Class participants must be regular AMC members. If you are not currently a regular AMC member you may still send in the course application, but you must become an AMC member prior to the deadline for receipt of the course fee. Please note that it usually takes the membership office several weeks to process new memberships. The fastest way to become a regular member of the AMC is through this web site.
• To join us, get a copy of our online AMC Membership Application [1].

CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS

Prospective students for the Climbing Training Class should be aware of the inherent dangers in climbing. Rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Exercising good judgement and practicing good safety skills may manage the risks, but they are never eliminated. Think carefully about the inherent danger of climbing before deciding that this sport is for you.