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Crevasse Rescue Course

crevasse rescue course

Mastering Crevasse Rescue: Essential Techniques for Mountaineers

Crevasse rescue course – Embarking on the journey of high altitude mountaineering is undeniably exciting. Yet it brings forth unique challenges, particularly when confronting the hazards of potentially dangerous glaciers and crevasses. Therefore learning the vital skills used for glacier crossings is essential. Because this can help climbers, and hikers make their way across this terrain with much more confidence.

Understanding Crevasse Rescue

In the realm of high-altitude mountaineering, hidden cracks in glaciers, known as crevasses, pose a serious and potentially life-threatening threat to climbers. Mastering crevasse rescue involves acquiring technical knowledge, utilizing specialized gear, and, perhaps most importantly, fostering effective teamwork.

Prevention and Recognition

Therefore preventing crevasse accidents is the first line of defence, starting with the crucial step of recognizing potential danger zones. Despite rigorous preventive measures, accidents can still occur, underscoring the paramount importance of crevasse skills.

Z-Pulley System: A Lifesaving Technique

Enter the Z-pulley system—a fundamental crevasse technique that acts as a lifeline in critical situations. This mechanical advantage system efficiently lifts a fallen partner out of a crevasse, showcasing the significance of being proficient in tying knots such as the figure-eight on a bight and the Prusik hitch.

Equip Yourself: Crevasse Rescue Kit

Transitioning to the importance of preparation, a well-equipped crevasse rescue kit is indispensable. Components like pulleys, carabiners, prusik cords, and ice screws work in tandem to create a mechanical advantage, facilitating the safe extraction of a fallen climber. When searching for ‘crevasse kit’ on the internet, you get lot’s of various items of equipment. Therefore it can be confusing on what to buy and can be expensive. we believe that our crevasse kit that we use is efficient, cost effective and reliable.

Roping up:

The crevasse roping method stands as a crucial safety protocol in glacier mountaineering. Linked by a secure rope, climbers maintain precise distances to avert falls into concealed crevasses. This approach guarantees a unified team capable of swift emergency responses. In the event of a member’s fall, the tension on the rope acts as an immediate alert, triggering a well-coordinated rescue, often employing advanced techniques such as the Z-pulley system. Emphasizing prevention, teamwork, and rapid response, the crevasse roping method is an indispensable skill for safely navigating the unpredictable terrain of glaciated environments in mountaineering.

Hands-On Training for Real-World Emergencies

As we delve into the realm of practicality, hands-on training scenarios become pivotal in mastering crevasse rescue. Simulating crevasse falls and rescues in controlled environments not only builds muscle memory but also ensures climbers can execute these maneuvers effectively in the stressful conditions of a real emergency.

Crevasse Rescue Course: Elevate Your Skills

Transitioning seamlessly into skill enhancement, consider enrolling in a crevasse rescue course to deepen your knowledge and gain valuable hands-on experience. These courses provide structured training, offering invaluable insights into crevasse rescue techniques and emergency procedures.

Conclusion: A Lifeline in High-Altitude Adventure

In conclusion, crevasse rescue is non-negotiable in glaciated terrain. Beyond being a mere skill, it acts as a lifeline, differentiating between a successful ascent and a tragic mishap in the challenging realm of high-altitude mountaineering.

Fixed Line Technique:

In addition to our Crevasse course, we also offer a half day Fixed Line technique course. This is perfect to combine with the crevasse course as half day can be spent on each. Similar to the crevasse course, we provide the equipment and show you what you’ll need to equip yourself with. Some of the kit is transferable but for this we look at and use climbing ascenders for security and safety.

FAQ’s:

How long is the course? Half day either morning or afternoon.

Do we need snow for the course to run? NO! Doing this on ‘dry land’ is a much better way of consolidating the principles. Waiting for and hanging around in snow we find can lead to cold, fatigue and general un interest. Therefore learning is less for some/most people. we will explain ‘what else’ is needed for snow.

When do your courses run? Anytime to suit you!

Do I need kit? We can supply all the kit including harness, helmet and hardware. Likewise most people coming on this type of course have some kit that they like to bring or have already. Because everyone’s kit is different, any questions feel free to ask before or during booking with us.

Do I need a PHD in rope skills? Certainly not (knot) no pun intended! We use simple tried and tested methods and break it down for you.

Course Content:

  • Personal kit check / Chat about goals/groups plans
  • Rope and roping up
  • Kit for rescue – What, why when to use?
  • A ‘dry run’ breaking things down
  • Practice makes perfect
  • Extra methods/conversations
  • The real thing! Optional depending on group, conditions etc

Pricing:

Price per person: Half day course

1-1 £125.00

1-2 £70.00

1-3 £60.00

1:4 £50

Larger groups enquire.

Full day’s course combined with Crevasse – Rescue and Fixed Lining:

1-1 £190

1-2 £95.00

1:3 £80.00

1:4 £70.00

A £50 deposit is required to book a place. See our Contact and Pricing page for more details.

For larger groups please get in touch for pricing.

Links:

Rock n Ridge Alpine Training page: Here

Crevasse Rescue Wiki – Here

June 2021

outdoor activities lake district and training

June 2021

 

Kids climbing days

June was a cracking month weather wise. Combined with the holidays there were lots of kids climbing days out.

Kids climbing is always fun as you just never know how the day will ‘pan’ out. I normally find that once you light the touch paper – climbing, or scrambling or anything else outdoor orientated, then the activity comes alive. Of course the kids need to be on board with it too to make it work. Likewise with many years of working for the Outward Bound trust, it can be like herding cats. 😉 You can find some more information on our climbing days here.

Activities kids climbing

Andy’s family made a couple of visits to the Lakes. They too were looking for some adventure days out. One of the activities had to be some climbing with his kids – Harry, Thomas and Elsie. As they sometimes say ‘it’s a small world’ and I too use to live in Otley a good few years back. I was actually brought up about 5 miles away so know the area very well.

We had done some Canyoning before with them, which they loved, so this time I had decided for some Scrambling followed by some Rock Climbing.

Andy also wanted to look at some rope work so that in the future, he may use it to safe guard the kids whilst scrambling amongst the rocks and outcrops, possibly back in his home town of Otley in Yorkshire.  More on Otley later…kids climbing

The finest crag on the planet

Besides kids climbing, I made a short trip to see family and nip into one if not thee, finest bouldering crags known – IMO – That is Caley crags. Caley is situated above the market town of Otley. A large and steep hill called Pool Bank leads you up to the top (use to cycle and run this a lot in the past) From there it’s a short walk to some amazing problems* situated in beautiful surroundings. This is probably the nearest thing we have to Fontainebleau, which sits outside of Paris, and too is utterly amazing.

On the government-climbing grant, I spent many days and what would turn into many years bouldering and climbing on the rocks.  The picture in the gallery is called one step above the clouds, and is a super problem that carries on up the wall above where I am and tops out in the clouds! I’ve probably climbed this 40/50 times over the years and actually remember a foggy wintery day topping out into mist…which felt like clouds 😉

  • Problems – To a boulderer each piece of rock or stone may have as many as 10 to fifteen ways up it. Therefore each boulder is unique and individual. So we call each way up a ‘problem’

Group days kids climbing

The reconnaissance of the Snowdon horseshoe by Deepan and myself the month before was the plan for the group we had arranged to meet and do a two day activity training weekend in preparation for their upcoming Alps trip with Rock n Ridge. Sadly in the end this did not go ahead due to Covid. Nevertheless no training is wasted and we made full use of the weekend. Crib Goch and Snowdon on day one. And Rock Climbing on day two. The weather was scorching and finding some shade was the tricky part! In contrast to kids climbing, these days can be more competitive. One person climbs a route and of course their friend has to do it. It’s all great fun and morale was high and the support from the group was strong.

After the climbing day we all said farewell and it was back up to the Lakes for me as in a day or two there was a family wanting a Canoe session followed by some ‘kids climbing’!

Now then, will it be touch paper, or cats…?

 

Links:

UKC – A list showing virtually all the climbing routes and ‘problems’ at Caley crags – Here

Beginners guide to bouldering – Here 

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