Posts Tagged ‘Basic Rock School’

Rock Climbing – Basic Rock School – Flatironette, Boulder, CO

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

CMC Boulder Basic Rock School Heading to "Class" Clare on the Summit of Flatironette
I am an assistant instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club’s Basic Rock Climbing School. Our first outside field trip was to the Flatironette in Boulder, CO. It’s a tiny flatiron rock formation which is situated just in front of the first flatiron. It is a perfect place to take people who are new to climbing. It has very mellow 2 pitch climbs, with no rappel. The only serious issue is the exposure of being up high. Thankfully, none of our students had a debilitating fear of heights!

I Love La Sportiva Approach Shoes!
Everybody had an enjoyable time climbing the Flatironette and I had the opportunity to climb it in my new La Sportiva approach shoes. These shoes are awesome and are my go-to shoe for anything easier than 5.4…the sticky rubber, toe rands, and laces around the ankles are fabulous features. (more…)

CMC – Basic Rock School Instructor Review Day

Saturday, March 24th, 2012

Andy Demonstrating How To Pass a Knot
The Colorado Mountain Club, Boulder Group offers a Basic Rock School every spring and fall. It is one of the major training opportunities for folks who want to learn how to climb. I assisted with it in the fall and it was generally a pleasurable experience. I really enjoy teaching people how to climb!

CMC Basic Rock School Instructors Spring 2012 CMC Basic Rock School Spring 2012

Prior to the start of class and field trips, we have a session outside. All the instructors and assistants can spend the day reviewing the techniques, communication tips, and familiarizing each other with potential risks of teaching. It’s a wonderful day and I’d say the most valuable experience for an assistant instructor, as you learn the preferred methods of your senior instructor.

Basic Rock School Instructor Review Day

This Spring, I was paired up with Mike and Andy. Boy was I excited, these two guys are loads of laughs but at the same time totally serious about the art and science of climbing!

Rock Climbing – Fandango Variation (5.6) – CMC

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

CMC Climbers After First Flatiron Fandango Ascent
Gary was kind enough to help lead a group of my Basic Rock Students up the First Flatiron. We climbed the Fandango Variation route in two teams of three.

Team Rich Chile Caramels 3rd Pitch of Fandango
I had Michael and Chris (Team Rich Chile Caramels).

Team Yearning Air Climbs First Flatiron
And, Gary took Ian and Erin (Team Yearning Air).

Team names were generated using our names plugged into an anagram machine (found online somewhere!).

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Basic Rock School – Field Trip #2

Friday, September 30th, 2011

On Saturday, we had our 2nd field trip for Basic Rock Climbing school. Kent took us to Dome Rock, where we took the students up their first “multi-pitch” climb.

Basic Rock School Group Picture

The first “pitch” was 4th class and ended at a large alcove/ledge with a tree. The next pitch was low 5th class. I led the crack while Kent put up a fun face section, and Michael assisted with the belay station. Our 6 students (Erin, Derrick, Chris, Max, Ian, and Walt) did great. (more…)

Basic Rock School – CMC Assistant Instructor

Saturday, September 17th, 2011

On September 17, I spent the day volunteering as an assistant instructor for the CMC Boulder’s Basic Rock School. Students Walt, Ian, Max, Derek, Chris, and Erin were eager to be belaying, rapelling, and climbing during this first (of four) field trips.

Erin Belaying Chris up to Anchor Michael Setting Anchors Ian Climbing Walt & Derek Practicing Belaying

I was excited to be working with Kent, the lead instructor, and Michael, another assistant. There was a lot of material to cover, but Kent did a real whiz-bang job!