Rock Climber's Gear and Anchor Class at Mt. Tamalpais in Marin

One of the essentials of safe climbing is the ability to create and/or identify safe anchors. This class will give you hands on instruction on how to build a solid top rope anchor. If you are building your own anchors, or climbing on someone else’s, you owe it to yourself (and your mother) to take this class.

 

Our class takes place outdoors in Marin at Mt. Tamalpais State Park and is designed to provide both hands-on and classroom style learning. All necessary anchoring gear will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own gear if you’d like to practice placing gear and building anchors with your own rack.

 

At the end of the day you will have the knowledge to set up your own anchors, in just about any situation- bolts, cracks, trees, etc. You'll also have a cordolette you can keep, to get your anchor kit started!

 

Here's what a recent participant had to say after the class: "It's hard to believe that you can go from utter confusion to being able to critically apply a new skill and attain a sense of enlightenment in only one day."

 

The Outdoor Adventure Club teaching method will give you all the tools you need, and prepare you to make decisions when you are setting up anchors. You will learn much more than simply "do this in this situation". You'll learn how to think through the problem of anchor building, so you can set up anchors just about anywhere!

 

By the end of the day you should be able to place gear solidly and safely in a top rope anchor situation (not in a lead climbing situation... that is another class).

 

Prerequisites: Some climbing experience and familiarity with belay techniques.

 

 

Topics covered in the full day, outdoor class:

 

GEAR

• A historical perspective of climbing gear
• Types of modern gear
• Nylon ropes, webbing, and cords
• Knot review- Figure 8, 8 on a bight, Clove hitch, Fisherman's
• Carabiners and evolution of carabiner design
• Protection: Nuts, Hexes, Tri-cams, SLCDs, Bolts
• Practice placing gear
• Failures: The importance of knowing how things fail to avoid future failures

 

ANCHORS

• Introduction of SERENE/ERNEST
• Sliding X
• American triangle
• Cordolette
• Angles between gear
• The Power Point
• Using natural pro
• Judging strength
• Gear in series
• Extending the anchor
• Practice building anchors
• Critique each other's anchors
• Identify poor anchors

Climbing will be limited on this trip, but bring your shoes and harnesses if you like. You may be able to get in a few climbs at the end of the day if there is time.

 

This trip happens rain or shine. Bringing an umbrella and/or a rain jacket is a good idea however, if the weather is uncertain. After the course there will be an informal review in Mill Valley.

 

Want information on all of our rock climbing trips? Check out our full Rock Climbing Program.