Mountaineering Technique Course

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MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering School

A basic course dedicated to familiarization with the technique of using mountaineering equipment and working with a rope and climbing gear

This Course is recommended for those who are going to take part in any mountaineering events of varying difficulty, as well as for everyone who wants to acquire basic skills for working with mountaineering equipment.

This Course program consists of theoretical and practical classes, the purpose of which is to familiarize participants with various techniques of mountaineering.

This Course is not designed to achieve stable practical mountaineering skills - this requires much more time and practical training on natural terrain.

This Course provides a general theoretical understanding of the skills, tactics, and techniques that are used in real conditions of high-complexity mountaineering ascents.

This Course program is not designed to give you the ability to climb any mountain after completing these few lessons.

This Course program is not designed to teach industrial mountaineering techniques.

Theoretical and practical classes of the Course are held on the indoor DDS Climbing Wall, Moscow, Rabochaya St., 53). The intensity of classes is selected individually - from one to three times a week.

Prices for the MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering Technique Course 2024:

• Price for the Basic course (5 x 2-hour lessons in a group of 3-6 people) - 6,000 rubles
• Price for the Advanced course (3 x 2 hour lessons in a group of 3-6 people) - 6,500 rubles
• Price for the Master course (2 x 2 hour lessons in a group of 3-6 people) - 3,500 rubles
• Privat lesson* 3,500 rubles
• Split training (private lesson for two)* 5,000 rubles
• Private training is conducted by prior appointment at any time convenient for you

The standard duration of a group lesson is 2 hours, the schedule of lessons is fixed at the time of group formation;

The number of people in a group per one coach is from 3 to 6:

The cost of renting all the necessary equipment for the Mountaineering Course is included in the cost of the lessons.

Lessons are paid after confirmation of the lesson booking and adding you to the schedule.

Conditions for cancellation or rescheduling of the prepaid classes at the MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering School

Any classes under the MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering Techniques Course program are held according to a fixed schedule, cancellations and rescheduling of the classes are not allowed.
In case of you had to miss some of your prepaid classes, as a compliment we can offer a slot in the next training group for those classes that were missed, without any additional compensation.

Course program: First level, Basic

Lesson 1

Basics of general climbing safety

• Mountains are a dangerous form of relief. Objective (rockfalls, avalanches, mudflows, icefalls, snow cornices, earthquakes, thunderstorms, fog, lightning, snowfall, rain, extreme temperature, low pressure, weather changes) and subjective risks of mountaineering.
• Mountain sports insurance and its functionality in various mountain regions
• Civilized forms of mountain recreation and a comparative analysis of various regions. Dependence of the risk level on the infrastructure of the area
• Overview of some examples of the activities of mountain rescue services in various mountain regions
• Communication in the mountains and its impact on safety when practicing mountain sports (cellular, satellite, radio communication). International signaling.

The main technical elements of climbing belay system are harness and rope

• Mountaineering harness – purpose, design, conditions of use, safety
• Types of harnesses, brief comparative analysis of designs
• Buckles, unloading loops
• Top harness, conditions and limitations of use

Main and auxiliary rope

• Types of main rope – static, dynamic, twin and double – specifics of use, technical features, conditions of use, safety
• Structure of the rope
• Methods of folding up the rope

Mountaineering knots

• General features of the entire category of mountaineering knots, main differences, conditions of use
• Figure eight knot – conditions of use, limitations, tying methods
• Bowline knot – conditions of use, limitations, tying methods

Lesson 2

Basic technical elements of climbing belay – carabiner, quickdraw, slings

• Carabiners – types and sizes, various purposes of carabiners, conditions of use, safety
• Quickdraw as a dynamic element of the belay system, types and sizes, conditions of use
• Long quickdraws and slings, examples of use

Organization of belay and self-belay

• Types of belay: simultaneous, alternate, mass (fixed ropes), intermediate (long and short quickdraws, slings. Purpose, application). Shortening the rope during simultaneous movement
• Belay methods: leading, top rope (on a climbing wall, at a belay point), gymnastic, self-belay (lanyards, main rope, daisy chain)
• Belay techniques: over the waist, over a ledge, over a belay point (using a carabiner, UIAA knot, ATC or ABD device etc.)

Mountaineering knots

• Prussik knot - conditions of use, limitations, tying methods
• UIAA knot - conditions of use, limitations, tying methods

Lesson 3

Organization of fixed belay

• Equipment used: carabiners, slings, rope
• Number and character of the belay points
• Self-belay and belay at the station (organization of the top rope or leading belay)

Mountaineering knots

• Austrian guide knot - conditions of use, limitations, tying methods
• Counter knot - conditions of use, limitations, tying methods
• Grapevine knot
• Grasping knots: Austrian (Kleimheist) and French

Lesson 4

Mountaineering technique of descent on a rope

• Descent (rappel) on a single or double rope (using a "comb")
• Descent with and without top rope belay. Comparison of different descent techniques, advantages and disadvantages
• Stopping methods. Reef Knot
• Cross-Knot

Lesson 5

Mountaineering Rope Ascent Technique

• Gripping Knots, clamps, Garda Knot
• Passing the knot when descending the rope
• Passing the knot when ascending the rope
• Inclined, vertical, and horizontal fixed ropes

Level 2, Advanced

Lesson 1

• Basic safety rules when climbing on different types of terrain (rocks, snow, ice)
• Basic elements of the climbing technique on snow and ice terrain
• Organization of stationary belay points and devices for protection on snow and ice terrain

Lesson 2

• Basics of radio communication in the mountains
• Basics of avalanche safety
• Special avalanche safety equipment in mountaineering

Lesson 3

• Overview lecture on mountaineering equipment, clothing and modern technologies
• Practicing the acquired skills in using equipment, practical solutions for various tasks

Third level, Master

Lesson 1

• Basics of Aid Climbing technique
• Basics of the first aid and rescue tactics in the mountains

Lesson 2

• Pull-up ropes, exhaust systems
• Practicing the acquired skills, independent practical classes under the coach surveillance

MCS EDIT 2024