mountain
MENTOR
PROGRAM
Who is this program for?
The mentorship program is for individuals (and partners) who are financially and time committed to improving their recreational competency in mountaineering, rock, ice climbing and/or skiing. If you are looking for the freedom to control the pace of learning, difficulty of the guided climbing experience, motivated to push your ability, and have a growing passion for climbing, then this program is for you!
What?
A comprehensive program that covers the essential skills for safe and competent climbing and decision-making. Through baseline testing we are able to establish a customized program to meet your ability level, hone your strengths, improve your weaknesses and plan for future, test-piece objectives. All participants are urged to enroll in a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course to complete their mentorship.
When?
The mentorship is a serious commitment. A minimum of 30 days – split classroom, online courses and field sessions – are required to cover the entire curriculum. In addition, we aim for 3 test-piece, big mountain, objectives that are student driven and guide supervised. These climbs are strategically scheduled to help drive the curriculum and keep the program focused. To cover the complete curriculum across multiple focus areas (Alpine, Rock, Ice, Skiing, Avalanche Education), the program spans at least one calendar year or four seasons.
Why?
The goal is to become a self-sufficient climber with an advanced level of competency and decision-making. Our professional guides work hand-in-hand with you to hone your craft and help you grow while meeting the highest industry standards.
Learning Outcomes
- Improve competency in multiple focus areas and climbing disciplines
- Educate through a comprehensive, customized, hands-on curriculum
- Inspire recreational climbers to embark on a lifetime of safe and responsible climbing
Specifically the Mountain Mentor Program Addresses:
- Decision-making and risk management
- Trip planning and Emergency Response Plan
- Single pitch climbing techniques
- Rope skills and techniques
- Basic and advanced techniques for multi-pitch rock climbing
- Basic and advanced techniques for multi-pitch ice climbing
- Basic and advanced techniques for alpine climbing and mountaineering
- Basic techniques for ski mountaineering
- AIARE Avalanche 1 curriculum
- Real world experience in the big mountain environment
Program Overview
In order to maximize the results of your mentorship, you need to be in excellent physical shape. This process begins now. Get out and climb and hike at least a few times per week. During the development of your customized plan we will address your fitness level and establish a training plan if needed. The following outlines sets the baseline curriculum. Your Personalized Mentor Plan may deviate from this outline to focus on the skills and knowledge that match your future goals.
Baseline Testing [1 Day]
We spend one day running through the basic rope skills and climbing some pitches to establish a baseline for the curriculum. If you show competency on certain skills then we omit them from the customized plan. Your current skill set establishes the foundation for us to build on.
Risk Management [4 Hour eLearning Course]
Understanding and managing risk is vital to your safety. We take a full day addressing these issues to improve your decision-making ability in the field.
Trip Planning & Leadership [1 day]
A solid trip plan, emergency action plan and your collective preparation as a team is vital to the outcome of your adventures. We explore traditional and modern tools for establishing solids plans.
Rope Skills & Single Pitch Climbing [5 Days]
Understanding knots, rope systems and managing a single pitch environment are essential basic skills. These sessions will provide a solid base to build from as we move onto multi-pitch and alpine objectives.
Alpine Skills [5 Days 1]
The alpine program will help you fine-tune your skills in alpine snow, mixed, and glaciated terrain including crevasse rescue skills.
Rock Skills [5 Days 1]
The rock program will help you fine-tune or learn advanced skills for rock climbing including self and partner rescue techniques.
Ice Skills [5 Days 1]
The ice program will help you fine-tune or learn advanced skills for ice climbing. We will discuss the differences between rock and ice climbing and how that influences our decision-making and climbing practices.
Ski Skills [2 Days]
The ski program is designed for ski tours or ski ascents/descents, on alpine touring, split board or free-heel equipment. Topics covered include: techniques for effective and efficient uphill and downhill travel and transitions. Advanced topics will be discussed if time permits.
AIARE 1 Avalanche Education [3 Days]
The AIARE 1 is a three-day / 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. Students can expect to develop a good grounding in how to prepare for and carry out a backcountry trip, to understand basic decision making while in the field, and to learn rescue techniques required to find and dig up a buried person (if an avalanche occurs and someone in the party is caught).