Outdoor/Environmental Outdoor/Environmental Education 2012/13Education 2012/13

Mr. FranklinMr. Franklin

Notes from Mountaineering: Notes from Mountaineering: Freedom to the HillsFreedom to the Hills

Chapter 1: First StepsChapter 1: First Steps

• Technical Knowledge and Skills• Physical Preparation• Mental Preparation• Judgment and Experience• Caring for the Wilderness – Leave no Trace• Preserving Wilderness• A Climbing Code• Gaining the Freedom of the Hills

Chapter 1: First StepsChapter 1: First Steps

• George Leigh Mallory“What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy.”

Mountaineering is many things. It is climbing, panoramic views, and wilderness experience. For many, it is the fulfillment of childhood dreams; for others, an opportunity to grow in the face of difficulty. In the mountains await adventure and mystery and lifetime bonds with climbing partners. The challenge of mountaineering offers you a chance to learn about yourself outside the confines of the modern world.

Technical Knowledge and SkillsTechnical Knowledge and Skills

• Safety is main concern• Clothing, Basic Equipment, Food• Cover distances relying on what you have in

pack and navigating• Technical climbing skills• Minimized risks, but mountains never predictable• Trained in Safety/ Wilderness First Aid and

Rescue

Physical PreparationPhysical Preparation

• Mountaineering is physically demanding

• Limits are being pushed so it is important to maintain athletic

• Enjoyment, Variety and Safety are relied upon physical conditioning

Judgment and ExperienceJudgment and Experience

• Mental Preparation and Attitude important as well as ability to solve problems and make good decisions

• Judgment most valued prized skill that comes with knowledge and experience

• Coping Skills and Problem solving skills in dealing with the outdoors and the novel situations that sometimes arise

• There is always potential for tragedy, but that uncertainty provides the risk , challenge and accomplishment of the outdoors

Judgment and ExperienceJudgment and Experience

• Helen Keller“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not

exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

Caring for the Wilderness – Caring for the Wilderness – Leave No TraceLeave No Trace

• What you learn gives you tools to experience remote areas of the world

• Beauty of Wilderness becomes own undoing by having visitors

• When traveling the wilderness, you must adopt the philosophy of leaving the wilderness the way we found them, with no sign of our passing.

• We must study the places we visit and understand their vulnerability so we can leave no trace and provide the same experience for another day

Preserving WildernessPreserving Wilderness

• Preservation of the wilderness

• Permit systems, Environmental Restoration, Legislative Alerts, clashes of competing interest groups, road closures.

• Become advocates

A Climbing CodeA Climbing Code

• Safety in the mountains

• A guide to practices that minimize risk

• Recommended for beginners, Experience can modify guidelines.

• Not step by step, but holistic guidelines

• Help offer high probability for safety and success

Climbing CodeClimbing Code page 17page 17

• Leave the trip itinerary with a responsible person

• Carry the necessary clothing, food and equipment at all times

• A climbing party of three is the minimum, unless adequate prearranged support is available. On glaciers, a minimum of two rope teams is recommended

Climbing CodeClimbing Code page 17page 17

• Rope up on all exposed places and for all glacier travel. Anchor all belays

• Keep the party together, and obey the leader or majority rule

• Never climb beyond your ability or knowledge

• Never let judgment be overruled by desire when choosing the route or deciding whether to turn back

Climbing CodeClimbing Code page 17page 17

• Follow the Precepts of sound mountaineering as set forth in text books of recognized merit

• Behave in all times in a manner that reflects favorably upon mountaineering, including adherence to Leave No Trace principles

Gaining the Freedom of the HillsGaining the Freedom of the Hills

• Concept of finding joy in the mountains with the skill, equipment, and strength to travel without harm to ourselves, others or the environment.

• Hills do not offer this, there is a trade in us knowing training, preparation, and desire

• The wilderness leaves behind the mechanized world

• You can follow a dream and be rewarded with new physical and spiritual heights

Gaining the Freedom of the HillsGaining the Freedom of the Hills

• John Muir“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

Chapter 2: Clothing and EquipmentChapter 2: Clothing and Equipment

Packing for a wilderness trip is a matter of take it or leave it. With thousands of choices available in outdoor clothing and equipment, it is no longer a question of how to find what is needed but, rather, of limiting the load to just the items that will keep you safe, dry and comfortable. The idea is to carry what is needed and leave the rest at home. More clothing and equipment may make you more comfortable, but the extra weight may also limit how far, fast, or high you can go.

Clothing and EquipmentClothing and Equipment

• Strike a balance between too much and too little. • Determine after each trip what is essential• When buying equipment go for light weight and low bulk

alternatives that do not jeopardize the items performance or durability

• Do not buy all the gear right away, take it one trip, one purchase at a time and make intelligent, experienced decisions

• Rent, borrow or improvise early on• The latest and greatest is not always the best, however

cheapest gear is not always the most economical

ClothingClothing

• Comfort most important…Battle against rain, wind, heat, and cold

• In addition to cost you should consider the durability, versatility and reliability

• Personal preferance plays a significant role…brand names are not for everyone!

• When beginning wilderness travel, take too much and then start to delete items.

• Try to minimize weight of clothing, but not at expense of safety

• Get weather forecasts and pack accordingly

LayeringLayering

• Layer Next to the Skin

• Insulating Layer

• Shell Layer

Choosing FabricsChoosing Fabrics

• Natural Fibers– Cotton– wool

• Synthetic Fibers– Polyester and Polypropylene– Nylon

Choosing FabricsChoosing Fabrics

• Waterproof/Breathable Fabrics– Waterproof/nonbreathable coating– Waterproof/breathable coating– Laminated waterproof/breathable membrane– Care of waterproof/breathable fabrics

• Insulating Fills– Down– Synthetic Fill

FootgearFootgear

• Boots– Leather Boots– Leather/Fabric Boots– Plastic Boots

– The right choice– Proper fit– Boot care

FootgearFootgear

• Socks

• Gaiters

PacksPacks

• Internal Frame versus External Frame

• Buying a Day Pack

• Tips on Packing

Essential EquipmentEssential Equipment

• The Ten Essentials1. Navigation

2. Sun Protection

3. Insulation

4. Illumination

5. First-Aid Supplies

6. Fire

7. Repair Kit and Tools

8. Nutrition (extra food)

9. Hydration (extra water)

10. Emergency Shelter

• Other Important Items• Insect Repellant• Signaling Devices• Whistle• Handheld Radio• Wireless Telephone

NavigationNavigation

• Where am I? How far is it to the summit? How can I find my way back? These are the three most frequently asked questions in mountaineering and this chapter shows you how to find the answers.

Topographical MapTopographical Map

• Colours on Map

• Red

• Blue

• Black

• Green

• Brown

• Purple

BearingsBearings

• Map

• Field

• Magentic Declination

NavigationNavigation

• Clinometer

• Altimeter

• GPS

NavigationNavigation

• LOST– What to bring– What to do

Camping and FoodCamping and Food

• Spending nights out in the beautiful alpine environment is one of the delights of mountaineering. The enjoyment is enhanced by the arts of camping and alpine cooking. Setting up a temporary home in the wilds ought to be quick work and provide cozy shelter, a warm bed, and good food. And it should be done with care so that you leave no trace of your passing.

ShelterShelter

• Tents– Moisture Strategies– Winter and non winter tents– Tent Shapes– Anchoring– Tarps– Bivy Sacks

ShelterShelter

• Selecting the camp site• Leave No Trace• In Bear Country

• Winter/Snow Camping• Igloo• Snow Cave• Snow Trench• Quinzee

Sleeping SystemSleeping System

• Insultation• Cover Materials• Accessories• Fit• Rating Systems• Care and Cleaning• Ground Insulation• Materials

StovesStoves

• Types

• Weight

• Stability

• Operation

• Accessories

Stove FuelsStove Fuels

• White Gas• Kerosene• Butane• Isobutane• Solid Fuels

• Stove and Fuel Storage• Safety

WaterWater

• Water Sources• Pathogens in Water

– Viruses– Bacteria– Parasites

• Water Purification– Boiling– Chemical– Filtering

FoodFood

• Carbohydrates

• Proteins

• Fats

• Food Planning– Group– Altitude

FoodFood

• Menu Suggestions– Breakfasts– Lunches– Dinners

• Protecting Food from Animals

• Food Handling in Bear Country

• Utensils

Physical ConditioningPhysical Conditioning

• Optimal physical fitness forms a strong foundation for the wide variety of activities involved in mountaineering. To succeed in different types of climbing, you will need a well-rounded conditioning program that includes four basic fitness components: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and adequate recovery.

Physical ConditioningPhysical Conditioning

• Cardiovascular Endurance– Aerobic Excerise– Anaerobic Excerise

• Muscular Strength

• Flexibility Training

• Recovery and Injury Prevention

Wilderness TravelWilderness Travel

• Wilderness travel is the art of getting there-along trails, around brush, across rock, over snow, and across streams.

Wilderness TravelWilderness Travel

• Wilderness Routefinding– Gather information– Learn from experience

• Approach Observations– Watch for hazards– Think about the return

• Walking• Pace• The rest step• Rests• Downhill• Sidehill

Wilderness TravelWilderness Travel

• Trailfinding• Sharing the Wilderness with Animals

– Bears– Cougars

• Negotiating Difficult Terrain– Brush– Talus– Scree– Snow– Streams

Leave no TraceLeave no Trace

• Mountaineers seek the uncharted way, the trail less traveled, and a summit to stand on. We recognize that the wilderness we seek is a resource that we must protect.