2008 WP Self Rescue

From WP Wiki

This weekend a motivated group of Western State rock climbers joined up with Wilderness Pursuits to expand their self-rescue skills. They all realized that no matter what level of climber you are, from beginner to expert, they may encounter a scary situation in which they may need to rescue their partner. The WP Self Rescue clinic was a great introduction to the basics that every climber should know, and a glimpse into the workings of more complicated systems that are regularly used in professional rescues.

We began with a rehash of knots, some old standbys such as the figure eight, then moved on to the most important knots in self-rescue, the prussic and the Munter-Mule combination. Saturday and Sunday morning we went up behind the first buttress in beautiful Taylor Canyon to a cliff where we could easily practice all of our skills while maintaining a backup top-rope for everyone hanging off the edge.

We learned and each got the chance to practice escaping the belay from both a top and bottom belay stance, rappelling solo and with an unconscious victim, ascending a rope, and uphauling a victim.

If you or anyone you know climbs regularly then you should not miss the next WP Self Rescue and Anchor clinics. At the least, read Self Rescue by David Fasulo. For even more skills, consider participating in the next Peter Terbush Memorial Summit, an intense seven day course designed as training for Mountaineering, Single-Pitch, or Multi-Pitch guides. Another great way to learn is to join the Western State College Mountain Rescue Team.Get involved, and play safe!

Click here to view pictures from this clinic: http://www.western.edu/gallery/index.php?level=album&id=87