| |
| |
| |
|
Mountaineering Training
Mountain Skills 1 & 2
  |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Introduction
The Mountain Skills course plays a specific role in the BOS scheme of mountain training. Its function is to provide a general introduction to hillwalking in Ireland – to impart the necessary skills in navigation and knowledge of hazards, equipment etc., so that a person finishing the course may be in a position to pursue hillwalking as a hobby, safely.
Programme Outline
Duration
To be run over 4 days minimum with at least two nights to allow for talks. A longer period may be desirable and necessary depending on the quality of the students. For those students attending the Mountain Skills Test, an overall period of 8 weeks (minimum) must elapse between commencement of training and the Mountain Skills Test.
Syllabus
Mountain Hazards
Climatic hazards:
• Temperature, Precipitation, Wind, Lightning, Humidity and snow.
• Reference to causes of Mountain Hypothermia.
Topographic hazards
• Steepness, Ruggedness, special emphasis on remoteness.
• Reference to falls and drownings in hillwalking situations.
• Ability with reference to terrain and conditions.
Maps
• Map Scales/Symbols/Conventional signs.
• Ordnance Survey maps/history, reliability, suitability, comparison of different scales.
• Terminology /features e.g. corries, spurs, ridges, aretes etc.
• Relief depiction including contours, crags.
• Orienteering maps.
• Grid references.
Navigation
• Methods of calculating distance travelled and height climbed (Naismith’s Rule).
• Methods of measuring distances on ground (timing, pacing).
• Simple navigational techniques (aiming off, handrails, attack points etc.)
• Feature recognition (distant and near), self location.
• Navigating across country using map alone.
• Theory of Silva–type compass (grid and magnetic bearing).
• Map setting by compass – following bearing, backbearing and simple resection.
• Navigating across country using both map and compass.
Route Planning
• Route planning (choice of route, route card, bad weather alternatives, escape routes).
• Guidebooks and sources of information.
Personal Equipment
• Equipment for hillwalking with reference to weight, bulk and cost.
• Comparison and contrasting of: Footwear, Outer clothing, Headgear, Gloves, Middle layer garments, Inner garments.
• Bivouac bags and Bivouac tents.
• Rucksacks, Torches, Care of maps, Whistle and other emergency signalling devices.
• Additional equipment for winter, first aid kits.
Emergency Procedures
• Procedure in event of an accident.
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Mountain hypothermia, sprains, blisters, fatigue and other typical ailments.
• Mountain Rescue organisation in Ireland including location of posts and teams.
• Call–out Procedures
Programme
The course is to be run over 4 days by an approved Course Director.
Block 1 – Day 1
Introductory talk
Talk: Map, suitability of OS maps
Talk: Depiction of relief
Talk: Mountain hazards as in syllabus
Walk: Conventional signs, introduction to map setting, contours, feature recognition and distance measurement, terminology, simple navigation techniques
Talk: Personal equipment
Block 1 – Day 2
Talk: Emergency procedures (Part 1 Mountain Hypothermia)
Talk: Introduction to compass, grid references
Talk: Naismith’s Formula, pacing
Talk: Emergency procedures (Part 2Mountain rescue)
Walk: Navigation, timing, pacing (approx 6hrs)
Debrief
Block 2 – Day 1
Briefing
Talk: Route planning, preparation of route card route card exercise
Walk: Practicing all navigation skills and informal tuition on aspects of course suggested by participants (approx 5hrs)
Walk: Night Navigation Exercise (Max 2-3 hours)
Block 2 – Day 2
Scrambling practical and discussions on handling yourself on steep ground and further navigation practice (6 hours)
Debrief and Mountain Skills Assessment briefing (45 mins)
|
|
| |
|
|
