Aid & Big Wall Climbing Course

The Aid & Big Wall Course is a group of climbers that meet regularly in the spring to advance our knowledge and skill of aid and big wall climbing. Each year we accept up to eight new members. The first year new members practice techniques required for modern aid climbing, including gear, leading, cleaning, jugging, traverses, pendulums, hauling, training, and swinging leads. The emphasis is on clean aid, and the "traditional Yosemite technique." The seminar consists of one meeting for continuing participants, four meetings for first year participants, and four weekends of practice on the Mountaineers North Wall, Vantage, and Index. Aid climb outings will be scheduled during the summer. We then take a weeklong climbing trip to Yosemite Valley in mid-September.

The goal for first year members is to swing leads on moderate (C2), multipitch aid climbs. Additional practice and proficiency is a must before being ready to attempt big wall routes such as those in Yosemite.

The goal for continuing members is to improve speed and efficiency, become proficient at solo aid, develop "good form," learn basic rescue techniques, wall bivies and practice solving other wall problems.


First-year Prerequisites:

1. Significant rock climbing experience at the Intermediate or Crag level,
2. Membership in The Mountaineers, and
3. Paying the Aid & Big Wall Seminar fee.

Applicants are expected to have swung leads on at least five multipitch routes of 5.6 or higher. At least two should have been 5.7 or higher, and at least one a long route like the North Ridge of Mt. Stuart or Royal Arches.

First-year Requirements:

1. Completion of Intro to Aid Climbing, Self Rescue, or equivalent,
2. Attend Meetings 1-4,
3. Successfully complete all four practice sessions,
4. Swing leads and complete two multipitch aid climbs,


Continuing Prerequisites:

1. Successful completion of first year requirements or
2. Advanced Status. [Climbers with aid experience equivalent to the First Year can petition to join the seminar and become continuing participants.]

Continuing Requirements:

1. Help at some field trips, with facility improvements, or with the Aid & Big Wall Subcommittee.
2. Climb! Climb! Climb!


Recognition:

1. Lost Arrow Awards go the those successfully climbing Lost Arrow Spire Tip in Yosemite.
2. Wall Climber Awards will go to everyone successfully completing a Grade V Wall.
3. Wall Rat Awards will go to everyone successfully completing a Grade VI Wall.