BCEP 2024 Team 04: Horsethief Butte Rock Skills Field Session

Activity Notes

Update4-25-24:  Weather has improved for our HTB climbing but please dress for possible moisture, sun, cold, and changing weather during the day.

This is the one of the highlights of BCEP for many people. It will prove to be a full day of very fun activities!  And can be a little scary at first, that's OK too.

We will have a chance to climb, using all the different techniques we have learned at the MMC and field sessions, to belay, and be belayed, to be lowered, to rappel, to provide a belay from the bottom, to apply the different knots and to support each other while we practice.  We will move on a fixed line both vertically and horizontally, and maybe to see some nice wildflowers or birds while we are there.  We will be able to practice climbing on a friction slab.

This site only has a pit toilet by the parking lot.  We will discuss bio breaks, lunch and safety practices in advance.  

There is very little shade at this site so please bring sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, long sleeves and/or hats to keep yourself warm and protected from the elements.  There is no running water so hand sanitizer is a good idea.

Rock climbing shoes can be rented from local climbing shops.  Please call them in advance to set this up and try them on in advance in case they don't fit.  Fyi, rock shoes are not required (they are on the gear list but are optional)

Please leave rings/jewelry at home if possible.  If you have hair longer than shoulder length, please pull it back in some way so it doesn't get caught in your belay device (ouch)

Contact lens wearers: it can be very windy at Horsethief. You may want to wear glasses instead.

Poison oak is present at Horsethief Butte. Be aware of it, be able to identify it, and avoid it! If you are allergic to poison oak, bring appropriate antidotes and inform your instructors.

We will not be using chalk because this site has cultural significance for peoples who occupied it before us and there is delicate rock art present which we will not touch or damage.

Helmets will be worn from the car until we get back to ground level path to the cars.  There is potential for rockfall or getting hit by falling objects at all outdoor rock-climbing sites so let's all be aware and paying attention.

All climbers and instructors will use personal protection when within a body length of a falling hazard where a fall could cause injury.

All rappels will be belayed from below (bottom belay/firefighters belay)

 All climbers and belayers are to use a Rewoven Figure 8 Knot to tie directly into, and through both 'hard points" on ttheir climbing harness.

All belay and rappel anchor systems will be redundant, will be verified by a climb leader, and will be inspected regularly to ensure continuing safety.  

Beginning belayers should be backed-up by an instructor until their belay skills are validated. All belays will be monitored by instructors for the duration of BCEP.

Rock climbing is dangerous and carries the risk or injury or death.  Please remember you are responsible for your own safety and always be attentive and use good judgement while rock climbing, or rappelling.  If at any time during this event you have any concerns, please let any of the leaders or the safety officer know immediately.