Basic Canyon Equivalency - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center

Application

Most likely, Basic equivalency will be Saturday, May 13, from 8am-noon. Once we have a roster, we will confirm times for everyone.

Application

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES:

Students must be able to demonstrate  proficiency in the following skills. Proficiency means you are a 4 out of 5 on the Mastery Hierarchy (1=failure, 2=insufficient, 3=sufficient, 4=proficient, 5=mastery). Proficiency = fluid execution, a clear understanding of concepts, quick self-correction, depth of knowledge, and includes application and supporting concepts.

Participants will have a total of seven (7) attempts to pass the three assessments. To pass, all must be completed without any major safety errors, and with a maximum of two minor safety errors.

1. Single-Strand Conversion - Using a frog system with mechanical ascenders: ascend, pass a knot, convert to rappel, descend, pass a knot, rappel to ground, disconnect from the rope. Two points of contact must be maintained with the rope at all times. Methods of passing a knot such as passing the knot through a rappel device or using a VT prusik are not acceptable in this assessment. 
2. Anchor Rigging  This assessment must be completed without any major safety errors, and with a maximum of two minor safety errors.  
   1.  Rig a retrievable traverse line from two unlinked bolts to access an unlinked bolted anchor
   2. Rig the unlinked bolts with an alpine draw. Rig releasable with an MMO, setting the rope length to 0-1' above the ground
   3. Clean the traverse line and anchor, rappel, and retrieve rope 

3. Gear Management & Communication Assessment
   1. Pack a rope bag with a BFK stopper knot tied at the bottom
   2. As anchor manager, rig a rappel with an EMO (eight mule overhand) style releasable 8 block & send a teammate down 
   3. Communicate the following using only whistle and hand signals that you would like to:
   4. Send packs down on a zipline
   5. Work with a teammate to zip a bag down
   6. Clean, descend, and pull the rope