
Field trip: Intermediate Canyon Skills Course
Intermediate Entrance Assessment - Mountaineers Seattle Program Center
Students must pass this assessment in order to take the Intermediate Course
- Fri, Apr 26, 2024
- Seattle Canyoning Committee
- Canyoning
- Adults
- Challenging
- 99 (106 capacity)
- 1 (12 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
ASSESSMENT
Purpose: Those capable of passing this assessment have the proficiency in a variety of essential skills needed to be able to effectively learn Intermediate Canyon Skills. Without this baseline, students will struggle in the course.
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.
- Single-Strand Timed Conversion Test - 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 (5 min or less). Two points of contact must be maintained with the rope at all times. Methods of passing a knot such as passing the rope through a rappel device or using a VT prusik are not acceptable in this assessment.
- Timed Anchor Management Test (max time will be based on 1.4x instructor time)
- Rig a retrievable traverse line to access an unlinked bolted anchor
- Rig an MMO on unlinked bolts, setting the rope length to 0-1' above the ground
- Clean the anchor, rappel, and pull the rope
For those doing Basic Equivalency ONLY:
- Gear Management & Communication Assessment
- Pack a rope bag with a BFK stopper knot tied at the bottom
- As anchor manager, rig a rappel with an EMO (eight mule overhand) style releasable 8 block & send a teammate down
- Communicate the following using only whistle and hand signals that you would like to:
- Send packs down on a zipline
- Work with a teammate to zip a bag down
- Clean, descend, and pull the rope
These pre-requisites are non-negotiable, and are designed to set everyone up for success. Those who meet these pre-requisites have the experience and proficiency with basic systems needed to be able to effectively learn in this course. Those who cannot meet these pre-requisites will not be allowed to take the course, and will either receive a refund or can roll their course fees forward to the next intermediate course.
6:30pm seattle program center (we will be sharing space for exact location TBA)
Required Equipment
- Harness
- Helmet
- Adjustable Friction Canyon Descender
- 4 working Carabiners
- Alpine Canyon Draw
- Figure-eight Descender
- Footloop
- Mechanical hand ascender
- Mechanical harness ascender/chest ascender