What Is Skills Training?

Skills training is our way of spreading the wealth of climbing and mountaineering information we have as members of the Mountaineering and Climbing Club. Once per semester, we hold a skills training program in a safe environment where we educate our members with the information necessary to manage risks on their own trips. 

What Do We Teach at Skills Training?

  • Gear: how to safely use climbing gear such as harnesses, ropes, ATCs, helmets and more
  • Belaying: top rope belaying and lead belaying, as well as the voice commands
  • Rappelling: how to set up an anchor and safely rappel from it; single rope and double rope rappel
  • Lead climbing and lead anchors
  • Trad anchors and trad climbing
  • Knots! (figure 8, overhand, bowline, friction hitches, etc.)
    • Necessary knots and when to use them.
  • Safe(r) bouldering techniques
  • And so much more!

Examples of Safe Environment Skills Training:

  • demonstrate and practice anchor building/equalization without actually hanging on the anchor
  • tie all relevant knots using ropes and webbing that have been retired from use
  • belay simulation with the "belayer" tethered to a tree and the partner walking across the lawn
  • cleaning a sport anchor, using a bolted practice board 
  • use a map and compass on Central Campus to walk in a straight line for a given distance in a given direction
  • crevasse rescue using sandbags as proxy for incapacitated climbing partner

Why Should You Come to Skills Training?

In our skills training, we not only teach you all of the skills necessary to do all of these things on your own, we also go above and beyond to make sure that you know the information well enough to be able to teach other people. This way you can take your friends climbing and trust in your own ability to have a fun time and keep your friends safe on trips outside of the club.

Spring 2025 Skills training dates/times TBD

The Fall 2025 Skills Training series is in progress - come to a weekly meeting for more information, and subscribe to the club calendar at mccia.us/cal !