With the ever increasing trend of “special skills or hardware
required” type caches, we have decided to offer our fellow
geocachers a “skill building event” or clinic in the proper use of
climbing gear and ropes. This clinic is designed to allow
geocachers an opportunity to learn the basic skills required to
SAFELY go after that cache that’s placed 20 feet up the side
of a cliff, or in the wall of a rock quarry.
Participants will be given the opportunity to use our personal
climbing gear to learn not only what the equipment is, but how to
properly perform basic rope skills such as Belaying and Rappelling.
If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring it along and
join in the fun! There will never be a fee charged for this clinic
– just geocachers helping geocachers to learn a few extra skills in
order to promote safety while enjoying this wonderful sport we all
love!
All training locations have been used several times and tested
for safety. Skill levels are available in several stages, from
beginnner to advanced, and is a "no pressure" environment - you
work at your own pace and comfort level. This is meant to be fun
and educational and will be conducted as such. Age is not a
consideration – we have had folks from 5 to 60+ successfully learn
to perform these skills unassisted!
Anyone wishing to check out the action, can see the logs for
Cliffside #6 which has some photo's and comments from folks that
have already been to a couple of our "meets."
The Details: We will be providing the basic equipment necessary
for you to perform all levels of this clinic. We can safely manage
three people at a time on the ropes. As such, we will be limiting
the number of people that attend, per clinic, to 24 maximum. This
will be an on-going event, and the new dates for each will be
posted upon the closing of the current event. The first 24 to RSVP
their intent to come, will be given priority. Any others that
arrive are free to attend the session and watch, ask questions, or
just offer moral support. Should time allow, we can probably work
in some extras.
You should bring insect repellant, cold drinks, and a lunch. A
folding chair or a blanket to sit on would be nice, but not
required. Protective headgear if you have it, this can be in the
fashion of a bicycling helmet.
Children are welcome, but parents will be responsible for
keeping an eye on them! Time allowing, we will let the kids try
it out as well, on a controlled line.
Please wear clothing appropriate for rock climbing. Tennis shoes
or boots should have proper soles for traction. NO SANDALS or
OPEN-TOED footwear will be permitted to participate. Sweat
pants offer better mobility and can be slipped on over shorts
quickly
In order to log the event, you must successfully complete any
of the skill levels we have assembled. Cliffside #6 may also be
logged as you successfully reach it. Cachers that return for
successive meets may post “bragging rights” as a “note” to the
event page. All participants will receive a “momento” of their
visit for each skill level they complete.
Each clinic will consist of the following:
1. Basic Introduction to Equipment and how to use it, with a
demonstration. 2. Rappelling Skills: Beginner - learn on a 10'
face. 3. Intermediate - test your new skills out on a 30' face. 4.
Advanced - See how strong your heart is on this 50 - 60' face!
All of the above will have safety people assisting you as you
learn.
Belaying Skills: This will probably be the most popular of the
various rope skills. Here you will learn how to use ropes and other
equipment to safely assist another person in climbing.
NOTE: In the event of adverse weather, due to safety
considerations, the event will be rescheduled.
Cliffsides and Grapevines now has it's own "Myspace" account:
http://myspace.com/cliffsides.
Here, we will be posting pictures, videos, and details for upcoming
"non-event" climbing action. There are many people we have
pictures of at the events and I cannot place names on some of
them... so if you browse through and see your pic, would you add a
comment to it for me?
We look forward to seeing you!
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