Event Details

American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, Colorado 80401

6:30pm  - 8:30pm at Climbing Wall inside lobby

PRIORITY FOR ACS STUDENTS

Basic Climbing Waiver - Basic Climbing Equivalency 

This is NOT a skills refresher. We expect you to show up and demonstrate proficiency in all of the skills we teach in our Basic Climbing Class. 

Equivalency is for experienced climbers who have not taken CMC Climbing courses.  It's an opportunity for those climbers to waive out CMC' Basic Climbing class to gain access to more advanced CMC climbing courses and parpticipate in CMC Top-Rope Climbing Trips. 

You will be expected to demonstrate proficiency (without any assistance or prompting) in the following areas taught in Basic Climbing in a style that conforms to current AMGA acceptable practices and reflects CMC instruction and safety standards:

1. Proper Tie-In


2. Climbing Commands & Partner Checks


3. Good Belay Stance


4. PBUS Belay Technique (ATC required, no GriGris)


5. Climbing Ability (5.6 or above)


6. Knots (Figure 8 Retrace, Double Overhand, Girth Hitch, Square Knot)


7. Rope Coiling (Butterfly Coil and Backpackers Coil)

This is not just a belay test but a "responsible, knowledgeable and safe climber test". 

Please bring the following gear: harness, shoes, helmet, belay device, carabiners, safety leash



Here are video resources to help you review some of the material:

• Knots:
  
  
  
  • Figure 8 Retrace: https://youtu.be/GFlwrvggas0
  
  
  • Girth Hitch: https://youtu.be/blP6BL05Q34
  
  
  • Square Knot: https://youtu.be/0Y_iorha2k4
  
  
  • Double Overhand: https://youtu.be/7Eso8q84aCc
  
  
  
  


• Rope Coiling: https://youtu.be/ppYanQ5DDPM and https://youtu.be/_5JGcztuf84


• Tying In: https://youtu.be/H1cEWPx2xnA


• PBUS Belay Technique: https://youtu.be/BOIAYx-d4HE

If you are not certain you could pass the proficiency test we encourage you to sign up for Basic Climbing. Climbers who don't pass equivalency will be need to sign up for Basic Climbing. Please note that the CMC is a volunteer club, not a professional guide service or climbing school. The equivalency process allows us to get to know you better and for you to become connected to the CMC climbing community.

Basic Climbing is a prerequisite for the following Technical Climbing School Courses:

• Intermediate Rock Climbing
• Advanced Snow
• Basic Ice Climbing

Cancellation Policy

At the Colorado Mountain Club, the safety of our members and staff is our priority. We are closely monitoring expert sources and will share pertinent developments with our membership. All of our decisions regarding programming at the CMC moving forward will be with the health and well-being of our members and staff top of mind. 

• No carpooling. Although this is a recommendation, we highly encourage you to be extra careful this December
• Wear masks! Please do your part and wear your mask when on a CMC trip. 
• When at a climbing wall, keep one rope open between routes.
• Practice hand hygiene frequently. More and more people are getting some type of bug. Stay healthy and wash your hands!
• No overnight trips. This guideline was already in place, but we are re-emphasizing it's importance.
• Help with Contact Tracing. Please pay attention to your symptoms and your exposure to the virus! More and more people are getting exposed to COVID-19. Google and Apple have just released a contact tracing capability with the iPhone, so add this to your phone if you can: https://www.google.com/covid19/exposurenotifications/select/
• Check out the complete protocol here: https://www.cmc.org/Portals/0/Documents/COVID-19%20Protocol%20for%20CMC%20Schools%20%283%29.pdf