Advanced Mountaineering Program (AMP12) - Fall 2015
- Updated: October 18, 2015
- Post By: Matthew Hengst
The Sierra Club Advanced Mountaineering Program or AMP was started in 2009 by Dan Richter and Pat McKusky to teach basic and advanced mountaineering skills with the goal of promoting safe climbing and train a new generation of club leadership. While it's primarily targeted to WTC graduates and Sierra Club leaders anyone is welcome. It's run twice a year in the spring and fall and staffed by an array of hard working volunteers.
This post covers the Fall 2015 AMP class. More posts about AMP can be found here. More information on AMP and instructions on how to sign up can be found here.
Class 1: Climbing Basics In Pasadena
The first class is all about getting to know all the students and introducing basic safety systems. Unlike the other classes this is held on a weeknight in a church up in Pasadena. After this all instruction happens outdoors.Dan & Pat explaining the course and kicking off introductions |
Class 2: Belaying At Stoney Point
Staff setting up top ropes on Boulder 2 |
The students arrive at 8 and class begins around Boulder 2. After a quick talk and demonstration it's time to climb.
After covering standard device belay and getting a chance to climb we head up the hill to work on other skills.
Dan demonstrating an old school hip belay and discussing the drawbacks |
Tohru explaining a munter belay |
Class 3: Rappelling At Stoney Point
Part of the rigging crew starts off the day very early at the local Starbucks |
Hauling back the gear at first light |
First it's time for ground school |
Everyone gets to see and practice device, munter, and dulphersitz rappels under close supervision |
Normally we'd head over to a climbing area but due to the high temperatures we called class a little early.
Class 4: Joshua Tree Weekend
Saturday is all about anchor building |
Anne Marie demonstrating natural anchor options |
Hands on practice building anchors |
Slinging boulders for redundant natural anchors |
And lastly students setting their own anchors and rappelling off |
AMP12 Staff |
AMP12 Students |
AMP12 Students & Staff |
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