Climbing Self-Rescue with Ian Nicholson

Activity Notes

Join us for a presentation, book signing and FREE skills clinic with Ian Nicholson, author of Climbing Self-Rescue.

Please sign up early, this clinic will sell out!  Even if all the clinic slots are full, feel free to attend to meet Ian, buy his book, and watch his presentation.

Ian is an IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide and has been guiding around the world for nearly 20 years. He is particularly passionate about self-rescue and has earned two Denali Pro Pin Awards for helping to save other climbers. Ian works on the National Instructor Team for both the AMGA and AIARE and is the author of SUPERTOPO: Washington Pass Climbing, as well as a regular contributor to OutdoorGearLab.com and WildSnow.com.

No matter how experienced a climber you are, one day, you will find yourself in a precarious situation. Whether that be a stuck rope, a dropped rappel device, ropes that won't reach the next rappel, an injured leader, or any number of problematic situations. Designed to be a detailed manual on climbing self-rescue techniques, this book presents improvised and repeatable solutions to common and less common problems and situations climbers face.

Schedule

• 6:30 - 7:00 pm slideshow presentation  
• 7:00 - 7:15 pm audience Q&A  
• 7:15 - 7:30 pm book signing and transition  
• 7:30 - 8:30 pm demonstration stations and clinic
• 8:30 - 8:45 pm book signing and more Q and A

Book Purchase - People will have the opportunity to buy Ian's new Climbing Self-Rescue book (and his Washington Pass book).

Gear to bring - Folks who want to participate in the clinic should bring gear they might bring on a normal multipitch climb. (This will be all "ground school", so helmet and rock shoes are not needed.)

• Harness
• Belay device
• Third hand/small prusik loop
• 3-4 locking carabiners
• 3-5 non locking carabiners
• 1-2 double length slings
• 1-2 shoulder length sling 
• Rappel extension
• Cordelette (15-21 ft of 6-7mm cord)
• Optional: Petzl GriGri or similar assisted braking device (ABD)

Helpful pre-clinic knowledge It would be helpful if participants are familiar with the following techniques, knots, and, hitches to make the clinic go smoother. This is not a requirement, but it means we can focus on rescue techniques rather than fundamental climbing techniques.

• How to tie into the end of the rope with a re-woven Figure-8
• Previous knowledge of how to belay and rappel
• How to use a rappel extension and rappel with a friction hitch back-up (aka a third hand)
• Tie a clove hitch
• Tie a prusik hitch
• Tie a Munter hitch

Note: if you didn't get into this hands-on clinic, remember that Mazamas teach a similar class twice a year, "Practical Self Rescue" as part of the Sunday Skillbuilder classes. The next class will be in November.