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ORGANIZING A CLIMB
INTRODUCTION
Mountaineering is one sport that one can enjoy either with
a team, a group of friends, with a partner or even by his
lonesome. It is good to experience each one of them once in
a while but before one should venture out into the wilderness
on his own, it is advised that he first join an organized
climb and learn the basic mountaineering skills for his safety
and enjoyment. It is advisable for an individual to join some
mountaineering group where he could learn and experience the
basics extensively through the courses they offer. Just be
sure that the organization one will join offers such services.
This chapter deals with the details of organizing a climb.
Although most mountaineers love the idea of freedom and spontaneity
than rules and organization, these structures were meant for
the climber’s safety and the protection of the environment
at the same time thus it’s importance never undermined.
The organizer should have mastered the basic skills at the
minimum and have a good record of experiences before he leads
a group. This is due to the fact that still, mountaineering
has dangerous aspects.
PLANNING
A CLIMB
In planning a climb here are points to consider:
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Decide where to go.
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Choose your companion or target participants.
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Collect route information and other useful information on
the destination considered. It is advisable to contact any
LGUs or local mountaineering group to get current information
on the status of the trails, costs, permits, etc.
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Assess the physical fitness of the group.
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Arrange for food and equipment distribution.
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Check weather forecast.
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Acquire permits in advance if necessary.
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Assign climb officials.
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Conduct pre-climb meeting or briefings.
CLIMB
COMPOSITION
Although there are no rules on the number of person to join
an expedition, three is the suggested least number of people
in an expedition. This is because if an emergency occurs,
one can accompany the victim while the other goes out for
help considering the injured is only one of the participants;
or even two if one has only minor injuries. With regards with
the number of maximum participants, these should depend on
the carrying capacity of the place although no such studies
still exist in the Philippines as of this date. Too many climbers
make the team slow and stressful to the environment. Eight
is the ideal number based on the principles of a military
squad.
As a practice here in the Philippines, here is a list of basic
climb officials and their duties and responsibilities.
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Team Leader
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Lead man (trailblazer, lead packer)
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Sweeper (tail ender)
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First- aiders
TEAM
LEADER
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The team leader is the final authority during the climb,
and all participants are expected to support and comply
with his decisions. Any negative evaluation of his conduct
of the climb should be brought out during the post-climb
meeting. However, the team leader is expected to consult
with the participants before making major decisions that
affect the itinerary or conduct of the climb.
-
He is expected to exercise good judgement and to consider
safety, comfort and fun.
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The team leader assigned for any climb preferably must have
had prior climb experience on the same route unless it is
an expedition climb, or when a local guide is available.
In any event general familiarity with the route is required.
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Duties of the team leader :
Preparatory
activities
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Consult those who are familiar with the terrain and locality
particularly the security situation, trail conditions, campsite
limitations and travel restrictions.
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Conduct a survey of the route when possible or when advisable.
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Prepare the climb itinerary.
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Conduct physical diagnostics.
Pre-climb
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Objective of the climb based on its nature (initiation,
fun, training, induction or expedition)
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General information, historical significance, folklore,
etc. of the location of the climb.
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Itinerary and highlights of the climb.
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Route condition and trail hazards.
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Water sources and its condition.
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Main and alternative campsites.
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General weather conditions.
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Local weather conditions or peculiarities.
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Cultural peculiarities of the locale (beliefs, taboos, etc.)
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Contact persons in the locality and residence.
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Special medical precautions on malaria, typhoid, dengue,
etc.
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Purchase opportunities in the locale.
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Special equipment checklist and assignments (for overall
group equipment such as ropes, harness, etc.)
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Transportation arrangements.
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Budget.
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Review of ethics, policies and Basic Mountaineering Course
when necessary.
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Assignments of groupings and climb officers. (it is important
to remind all the participants of the functions, responsibilities
and authorities of these key climb officers)
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Review of the itinerary. (It is best to distribute copies
of the itinerary to all participants. If copies are unavailable,
remind them to copy the itinerary as presented)
Pre-departure
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In case of any pre-departure change in itinerary or plans,
the team leader shall immediately notify all participants.
At the pre-departure assembly point, the team leader shall
ensure that all present have actually complied with all
mandatory requirements that apply to them and shall require
compliance with those that are not yet complied with.
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The team leader must prepare a list of participants before
departure. It shall be the basis for periodic head counts
and allocation of common expenses. If possible, a copy of
the list should be left with a contact person at the point
of departure in the event that a rescue becomes necessary.
Climb
Proper
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Before the start of the trek and at every major rest stop.
Check the head count and general physical conditions of
all participants.
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As needed, consult with the other climb officers or participants
any need to modify the itinerary due to weather, injury,
unforeseen trail hazards, etc. After consultation, make
the decision and notify all the participants.
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Control the overall pacing of the climb so as not to unduly
delay the trek without sacrificing safety of any participant.
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Check that proper trail signs are installed at critical
places like forks and trail splits.
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At the campsite, ensure that camp protocol and proper practices
are observed as well as compliance with organization ethics,
rules and regulations.
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Observe the conduct and comfort of participants.
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Observe and monitor performance of climb officers.
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Ensure that the campsite is left clean before taking off.
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Establish/maintain contact with local community leaders
and dwellers along the trail but more particularly at or
near campsites.
Emergency
Situation
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In case of any situation requiring extreme deviation from
the climb schedule, the team leader shall, in so far as
practicable, consult with the participants. In any event,
the team leader must make the final decision taking overall
and individual safety into consideration.
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In case of incapacitating injury to any member of the party,
the team leader must call-off the climb. Steps must be taken
to protect and care for the victim/s. If a provisional camp
is established to stabilize the victim, a team of at least
2 experienced climbers must be sent ahead to alert the base
camp and contact rescue authorities as well as the contact
person of the victim. The team leader may allow other members
of the party to proceed down while ensuring that experienced
and strong climbers are left to attend to the injured member/s
until a rescue party reaches them. At all times, the team
leader must maintain composure and keep all members calm
but alert.
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In case of prolonged lack of contact with tail-enders, the
team leader must make the decision on whether or not to
send a search party to backtrack and assist the tail- enders
as needed. In this case, strong and experienced climbers
must be sent while the main body set up a temporary holding
camp as needed. The leadsman should be notified to either
hold their position or rejoin the main body.
Post
Climb Briefing
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As soon as possible, preferably within a week after the
completion of the climb, the team leader shall take up the
following:
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Review and assessment of the climb: general conduct, trail,
pointers for subsequent climbs, etc.
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Comments, admonitions, congratulations regarding conduct
of individual participants.
LEADMAN
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As much as possible, the assigned leadman should not be
team leaders themselves. Exceptions can be made in cases
of small groups (12 or less) which are not likely to get
separated, climb of short duration, or absence of qualified
members.
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He must have prior experience on the particular trail unless
accompanied by local guides.
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He should be selected among the stronger, healthier, experienced
and patient members of the party. For a large climbing party
or a long duration climb, more than one should be assigned.
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He has the duty to put in place the proper trail markers
for the guidance of the following groups. When in doubt,
or when the possibility of doubt exists, the trail must
be marked in such a manner that no confusion could arise
in its interpretation.
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He must stop and wait for re-assembly at designated major
rest stops, and they must remain within whistle-hearing
distance of the next group at all times.
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He should not deviate from the planned route without waiting
for the team leader’s decision.
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He shall implement the pacing as instructed by the Team
Leader.
SWEEPERS
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As much as possible, the assigned sweepers should not be
team leaders themselves. Exceptions may be made in cases
of small parties , (12 or less) which are not likely to
get separated; climbs of short duration; or absence of qualified
members.
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They must have prior experience on the particular trail
unless accompanied by a local guide.
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They must be self-contained as completely as practicable.
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The sweepers must be selected from among the stronger, healthier,
experienced and patient members of the party. For a large
climbing party or a long duration climb, more than two must
be assigned.
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The sweeper must remain at the tail-end of the climbing
party at all times.He must be ready to assist lagging climber/s
who may need assistance, and must maintain the pace, and
control the rest stops of the lagging participants, taking
into consideration their physical situations, safety needs,
and the climb schedule.
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In case of incapacitating injury or illness, or danger brought
about by unexpected weather, darkness or natural occurrence,
the sweeper may decide to set-up a temporary camp at his
direction. Other members of the group, who are capable of
going on, must be sent ahead to notify the team leader of
the actions taken, so that the latter may make the necessary
decisions. Again, safety is first considered.
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One of the sweepers must be assigned to remove trail markers
put up by the lead group.
FIRST
AIDER
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Expedition first-aiders should preferably be chosen from
among those who had proper training under the auspices of
the Philippine National Red Cross, or had professional medical
training. In this connection, the organization shall endeavor
to maintain a pool of trained members.
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At least one should be assigned per climb. For large parties,
more than one should be designated. If more than one is
assigned they should be distributed over more than one team.
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In the event of an injury, the first aider shall have the
responsibility for applying the necessary aid, prescribing
medication, and recommending corrective action or assistance.
If necessary to deviate from the itinerary, he shall make
his recommendation known to the team leader for the lather’s
decision. In the presence of a designated first-aider, no
other member shall intervene with the treatment of a victim
unless he/she is requested by the first aider to assist.
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