2008 Rock Program FAQ
Q: Do I need to attend every weekend? What happens if I can’t make one or more weekends?
A:
The course is structured where the skills taught and practiced on one week are used and
built upon in the subsequent weekends. Attendance is absolutely mandatory for both days
(Saturday and Sunday) of the first weekend - Belay Weekend and on one day (Sat. or Sun.)
of the last weekend – Bucket Weekend. Thus, if you are unable to attend both Sat. & Sun.
of Belay Weekend, either Sat or Sun. of Bucket Weekend, you should consider taking the
course next year. There is limited ability to make up missed material on subsequent weekends.
If you think you will miss more than one other weekend (other than above) you should again
think about taking the course another year.
Q: Do I need climbing gear? - harness, helmet, etc?
A:
The Rock Program will provide each student, based on receipt of a deposit at Knots Night,
with a climbing harness and helmet. Locking carabiners and belay devices are provided
to and re-collected from the students each weekend. It is not necessary to bring any
rock gear such as cams, nuts, slings, or quickdraws to any of the program weekends.
The Rock Program has a very limited number of climbing shoes to loan each weekend so if
you have a pair of climbing shoes, by all means bring them. It is not necessary to
have climbing shoes, but it certainly will help during the course.
If you have your own harness, helmet, locking biners and belay device, by all means bring them.
Q: "I’ve been climbing at the rock gym for the last 2 months, so I already know
how to belay, can I bypass the belay stuff and get right into the climbing?"
A:
Great! Your understanding of how to belay in a gym is a great starting point – but the
Rock Program emphasis is on outdoor and ultimately traditional climbing which is
significantly different than the tightly controlled indoor climbing gym experience.
Learning about anchors, safely belaying from the top of a climb, or belaying a leader
are all new experiences that the course covers in a fair amount of detail, so please
plan on attending and perhaps learning some new skills.
Q: If it is raining, snowing or real cold out, do you still teach the course?
A:
Yes. Consider that the course will occur each weekend regardless of weather.
Q: What do I need to wear & bring on the weekends?
A:
Considering that this is New England, the weather will be variable in the Spring, so you
should bring warm clothing including a parka for wind or rain. Warm footwear is also a great idea.
You should pack a lunch and some snacks with something to drink also. Warm drinks in a thermos is a great idea.
Q: I don't have a vehicle, do you have car pooling or is public transportation
available?
A:
We set aside time during the Knots Night event to help organize those who have vehicles
to carpool with those that don’t. We also do our best to help share e-mail addresses
and phone numbers so as to help the 75 or so students (a typical class size) coordinate with each other.
Q: Is there any free time to climb or do you just teach the skills outlined
in the program?
A:
Typically the course material is covered by the early afternoon, and both the instructors
and assistants tend to want to spend some time climbing afterwards. So, yes we do
like to have some unstructured time after the coursework to allow students to enjoy the climbs
local to the weekend course.
Q: What is the cost for the program?
A:
$150 for AMC Members, $190 for non-members. The Rock Program will supply helmets and harnesses for those who don't have them.
Q: What if I've already paid but want to cancel?
A:
Refund policy: Requests for refunds must be made in writing to a Program Director and
received no later than five business days before the first class, or by March 20, 2008.
No refunds will be granted after that date. If you have some doubt up front about your
ability to make all the course dates, consider not signing up as we have limited slots
available and would like to keep the course open for those who can and want to be at every
weekend. Consider taking the course next year. Of course, if there is an unforeseen
circumstance that occurs, contact the Rock Program Director(s) and discuss with them what
we can do to resolve the issues.
Q: I want to buy rock shoes. Any advice?
A:
The important thing is fit. Too tight is as bad as too loose, and
there are many different shapes of feet (and corresponding shoes). Keep
looking for a good match, and ignore salesmen who tell you it should
hurt. Price will get you quality but not fit. Shoes come in several
"kinds". Some shoes are made for wearing all day on longer climbs,
others for 5 minute bursts in the Gym or on local boulders.
Q: I want to learn to lead. How should I go about it?
A:
Not in this course - we target the skills a belayer needs on a big
cliff. There are three common ways to learn leading:
1) Find a mentor (the best way) - someone with a climbing style
that appeals to you. Many of the teachers in this course like to help
new leaders.
2) Hire a guide - the local outfits (EMS, IME, ...) will teach you
for a healthy fee.
3) Form a group of similar minded students, read books and talk to
local climbers about how to get started. This is a slow way, because
you need to be conservative, but every year some students follow this
path.
In any case, the essence of leading is being familiar enough with the
climbing so that you don't encounter many surprises. And the key to
that is just to climb as often as you can, wherever you can.
Q: How do I get someone to take me to a big cliff?
A:
The most important thing is being able to climb and belay
quickly and surely. If you slow a party down, they won't invite you
next time.
Q: I want to learn to climb outdoors. Are the rock gyms a help or a hinderance?
A:
A help - their main drawback is the expense, but they teach you a
lot about hard climbing technique in a very short time.
Q: When is the program this year?
A:
See the schedule page for details.
Information Night and the first lecture are in March and the outdoor classes are in April and May.
Q: How do I apply?
A:
Registration starts online on March 6. Come to the Rock Program
Information Night to find out more.
Q: Can I pre-register?
A:
No.
Q: How can I guarantee a spot?
A:
You can't. We are a very popular program so we usually have too many applications and have to reject some qualified applications. Sorry, but our volunteers can only take so many people.
Q: How come you guys are such a pain about that?
A:
We are all volunteers with very little time.
Q: How can I prepare for the program?
A:
Consider spending a few hours in a local rock gym such as MetroRock in Everett and getting
past the belay test.
Q: Who gets in?
A:
You are a climber or want to learn how to climb. You are enthusiastic about learning to climb.
You want to participate and give back to the local climbing community. You love pizza and beer.
Hint….Program Directors love pizza & beer...
Q: What if I sign up but I can not make it?
A:
We will be sad because we only accept people who are excited and show a passion for climbing.
We do not give refunds on tuition.
Q: This stupid FAQ did not answer my question!
A:
Email [mail] with your questions.