Travelling Safely In The Alpine Winter Environment

TRAVELLING SAFELY IN THE ALPINE WINTER ENVIRONMENT Program Outline

1. Goals and Objectives 2. Rope Types (Dynamic versus Static) a. Characteristics of Dynamic and Static Ropes b. Advantages/Disadvantages of Dynamic and Static Ropes 3. To Rope Up or Not to Rope Up? a. Advantages and disadvantages of roped up travel b. Factors to be considered when deciding whether to rope up (snow conditions; terrains and hazards; skills level and experience of each member; personal comfort level) c. Decision Making Flow Chart 4. Roping Up a. Minimum Knot Skills (Figure 8 Follow-through; Bowline; Double Overhand (Fisherman's) Bend; Butterfly; Prussik; Munter) b. Kiwi Coil i. Purpose ii. Tying a Kiwi Coil c. Number of persons per team d. Selecting the order of persons on a rope team e. Spacing along the rope 5. Roped Up Travel a. Rope Management/Protection b. Belay Options (Team Arrest (unbelayed); Running Belays; Fixed Belays) c. Route Finding with Team Protection in Mind