UPCOMING 2021–2022 COURSES
T
raining people to recreate in the mountains while managing risk is central to the mission of the Mazamas. Our educational programs began with the Basic Climbing Education Program more than 75-years ago. Since then we have added intermediate and advanced climbing classes, skiing and first aid courses, and most recently canyoneering. If you have been looking at the mountains and dreaming of achieving a mountain summit or scaling a rock walk, look no further! You can find all of our educational programs on our website at mazamas.org/calendar/education/
INTRO TO HIGH ANGLE RESCUE
CANYONEERING 2021
MULTI-PITCH EFFICIENCY SKILL BUILDER
■ Class dates: July 14–18 ■ Application Opens: June 23 ■ Application Closes: July 7 ■ Prerequisites: See website for details.
■ Class dates: Aug. 12–Sept. 9 ■ Application Opens: July 6 ■ Application Closes: July 20 ■ Prerequisites: See website for details.
■ Class dates: Aug 17–22 ■ Application Opens: July 21 ■ Application Closes: Aug. 4 ■ Prerequisites: Lead belay certification, ability to rappel.
In this course, you will learn the basics of high angle rescue. We will start with an online lecture in which we will cover all of the main subjects, followed by a practice session at the MMC. Topics covered include going handsfree, going to "baseline," defeating the plaquette, passing a knot on rappel, and basic mechanical advantage systems. Course prerequisites: lead climbing & lead belay certified at a local gym, skilled in basic knots & hitches (i.e. eight knot, clove, munter, prussik), and recent experience leading single and multi-pitch climbs preferred.
Canyoneering (or “canyoning”) is the sport of exploring canyons using a variety of techniques such as scrambling, climbing, rappelling, wading, and swimming. The term usually refers to the descent of technical canyons requiring ropes, harnesses, and other specialized gear. Like mountain peaks, canyons vary widely in level of difficulty–ranging from the easy hike-through variety to the extremely technical. Dry canyons are generally easier in terms of rigging and preparation compared to those which contain flowing water. The more water that is present, the more difficult the canyon. Canyoneering is practiced all over the world, although most well known in Europe and the United States. It is a sport that is rapidly growing in popularity. In North America, most people associate canyoneering with the famous slot canyons of the Colorado Plateau, although it is also being practiced in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierras, Arizona, British Columbia, Mexico, Hawaii, and here in the Cascades. With one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls in the world, canyoneering is a natural fit for the Pacific Northwest. Learn more: mazamas.org/canyoneering
The course will introduce techniques and sequences involved in multipitch climbing. Topics will include setting up a belay at an anchor, belay procedures, rope management, lead transitions, lowering a climber, and planning the descent. The course will consist of two evening lectures and a single-day practice session in the Holman Auditorium.
GEAR & ANCHOR BUILDING MINI COURSE ■ Class dates: Aug. 4–8 ■ Application Opens: July 7 ■ Application Closes: July 21 ■ Prerequisites: see website for details. In this course you will learn how to place gear, objectively analyze gear placements, equalize anchor points using cordelettes, slings and ropes, where to locate your master point, and how to safely set up an anchor using SERENE and ERNEST methodologies. This course will help start your introduction into trad climbing.
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