MMC and Mazama Equipment Use

Climb leaders can schedule use of rooms in the MMC for Mazama activities, and freely access the climbing rope and equipment room 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

The Mazamas provide basic team equipment needed for climbing, available for checkout by climb leaders from the rope/equipment room at the MMC. The equipment is maintained by volunteers. Please help those volunteers keep the rope room clean and organized by taking the time to clean and return ropes and other equipment to their proper locations in a tidy manner.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer in the rope room, please contact climbing@mazamas.org.

Climbing equipment available for use

In addition to climbing ropes, static ropes, pickets, avalanche transceivers, avalanche probes, and snow shovels are also available in the equipment room for use by climb leaders.  Classic Mazama summit certificates are in the desk drawer - it's still a nice touch for our climbers!

Access

Instructions for rope room access and MMS room reservations are here, but only for climb leaders with access to the private information section of this site.

NOTE: Access to the rope room is intended for climb leaders only.  Use of Mazama ropes and equipment is for official Mazama climbing activities or schools only. Use by other groups, including non-profit groups or Mazama member private climbs, is not authorized unless specifically approved by the Climbing Committee and conditions may be stipulated.

Rope Inventory 

The Mazama rope and equipment room stocks single ropes in diameters ranging from 9.8mm to 10.5mm and standard lengths of 60 meters and 70 meters. In addition, Half ropes in diameters ranging from 8.5mm to 8.9mm and standard lengths of 60 meters are available for glacier travel. Additional lengths in both single and half ropes are available but are not standard. Leaders should verify the needed rope length for the intended route prior to checking out ropes.

Mazama ropes are graded, numbered, and marked with bands of colored tape to indicate the rope type, length, and current condition. These colors and suggested uses are further defined in the quick reference guide, which is posted on the wall in the rope room.

Check-out and Check-in Procedures

Rope Check-Out

1. Select the rope from the rope room wall. Ensure that the rope type,
   length, and current condition meets the intended usage for the selected objective. 

2. Find the rope log associated with the rope number that is on the rope. Rope logs are located in binders at the stand-up desk near the stairs in the rope room. 

3. Fill in the information on the rope log form including: Date Checked Out, Leader Name, and Intended Location of Use. 

Rope Care

Rope Check-In 

Please remember to fill out the use history when you return them. This history is essential in determining the rope's grade and longevity.

1. Inspect the rope for any damage.

   1. If the rope appears to be damaged, has suspected damage, has come into contact with any caustic substance, or has experienced a fall greater than a FF-1, place a tag on the rope with information regarding the suspected damage and hang the rope on the rack above the work table located at the top of the stairs. (Provide contact name and phone number, description of the damage and location, description of use relating to the damage) 

   2. If the rope is excessively dirty or has been in contact with poison
      oak, please wash it prior to returning.

   3. Please note on a separate line in the associated rope log when you wash a rope. 

2. If no damage has occurred, locate the rope log associated with the rope number that is on the rope. 

3. Fill in the remaining information on the rope log form including: Rope Use and Date Checked In. (See example below) 

4. Return the rope to the appropriate location on the rope room wall. Please butterfly coil all ropes before returning them to the rack.

Other Equipment 

The process for checking in/out pickets, avalanche transceivers, avalanche probes, and snow shovels out/in is similar to the process for ropes. Equipment should be selected and then checked out on the “Equipment Log” form found at the stand-up desk near the stairs in the rope room. Equipment is to be checked back in on this form and returned to the proper location. Damaged items should be tagged and placed on the worktable at the top of the stairs.

MMC Climbing Wall Rules (on the main Mazamas site)