Critical Skills 

Critical Skills

Mountaineering involves both objective dangers (like bad weather) and subjective factors (which depend on the climber). While we can't control objective hazards, we have significant control over subjective risks.

This section focuses on the skill element. The climbing committee has identified "Critical Skills" that are extremely important to you and your climbing partner's safety. 

• Knots

• Belaying (with a device and with a Munter)

• Climbing Commands

• Sitting Hip Belay

• Ice Axe Arrest

• Carabiner Ice Axe Belay

• PBUS Belay

• Belay Escape

• Extended Rappel

• Crevasse Rescue, Z-Pulley

We have identified when you must show proficiency of these skills. The field trips at which you must show proficiency are found on the chart below, and found on each Skills Checklist for field trips. Skills are critical on all climbs. 

If you're not proficient (able to perform the skill properly without help from your instructor) at these skills at a specified point in the course, we feel the risk of serious injury or death is too great for you or your climbing partners.

What happens if your instructor is not comfortable with your skill level of a critical skill after a particular field trip or climb? Your instructor/leader will make a note in your field trip record or climb report. You will see your record after each field trip. If there is an area in which you need further practice or additional instruction, the Chair notifies your mentor via email; you will be included on the email.  

As soon as you know you need help or extra practice, contact your mentor. Your mentor will work out an arrangement with you to meet the requirements on the Critical Skills progress chart, below.

Example: Let's say you are having a day when nothing is going right. It is the Snow Travel field trip, and your instructor feels you do not have the sitting hip belay down as well as you should (and you even belayed perfectly on the previous field trips). The chart says you must show proficiency with your belay technique by the next field trip and before a climb. Contact your mentor to schedule time to get together.

If you have a Mt. Shuksan climb scheduled, you have to demonstrate proficiency before you can go on the climb.

Remember, this is all about critical skills: You can contact your mentor, or any member of the climbing committee, about anything. If you want help on something other than a critical skill, we are here for that too.