Technical Canyoneering Course, Los Angeles, CA - Nov 2-3-4, 2012

[Klaus Gerhart]

Please join the Canyoneering California meetup group in Los Angeles!
(not only to sign-up for this class, but also to connect with other canyoneers for trips, training and camaraderie)

This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Rigging
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Over-Handing, Free-Hanging, etc)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Etc)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a miriad of skills and tools.

Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
ACGA Certified Guide, Board Member and Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Technical Rope Rescue Technician, Basic Mountaineering Instructor for Sierra Club's Wilderness Travel Course and a Master Educator for Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.

This class will begin on Friday evening (7:00-9:30ish) with an orientation, introduction and presentation with an emphasis on knots, bends, hitches, rating system and gear considerations. The gear required for this class is a climbing harness, a few screw-gate carabiners, close-toed shoes and a climbing helmet. And the class will continue at the training site on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-4 or 5pm.