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The seminars
These seminars are in person at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides
Please click the reservation link here to pay with Venmo or Paypal.
Seminars are minimum $25 donation. Please send Troy a message
to let him know which seminar you would like to attend.
Email Troy with Questions
tp101206@gmail.com
May
5/14 - Rappelling on Multi-pitch terrain: A Principal based Approach
Beginner-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock.
When rappelling, we can get into some difficult situations, especially when we are unfamiliar with the terrain/route or lose access to our rope in some way. By following a few fundamental principals we can greatly reduce or eliminate these complications. We will discuss these principals and demonstrate and practice the techniques for effective execution of rappels and transitions between rappels
5/21 - Improvising Rappel and Belay Systems
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock. It is very helpful to already be able to tie a munter hitch.
If we don't have a belay device how do we belay a leader or follower? when we don't have a rappel device how do we rappel? When we have a double rope rappel, how do we rappel if we only have a belay/rappel device that is made for one strand of rope? If there is a damaged spot in our rope, how do we still use our entire rope to rappel? If we should've had a 70m rope, how do we still get down with a 60m? If the anchor is questionable, how do we effectively back it up and not leave critical gear behind?
In this seminar we will explain, demonstrate and practice the concepts and techniques to answer as many of these queries as possible.
5/28 - Anchoring: Refining the Basics
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
We can construct our anchors out of three common items that we carry with us as trad climbers: cords, runners, and the rope itself. We can pre-equalize or self equalize. We can combine these methods. We can construct off of one or multiple anchor points. Usually, we can do all of these things in more simple and efficient ways that are just as solid and redundant.
The more you know, the less you'll use. In order to use less, you need to know more. Although this seminar will include foundational anchor construction methods, it will largely focus on simplifying and refining those methods.
June
6/4 - Belaying The leader on multi-pitch Rock: considering the risks and techniques to minimize them
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
What is really going to happen at the belayers end of the climbing system? Should the belayer be anchored down? Should we place a piece before we come off the anchor or should we clip the anchor itself? Will the belayer impact the first piece of pro? Should the belay be off the harness or off the anchor? What device should be used? Should the belay be anchored with the rope or with a PAS? Can I position my belayer further below my first piece instead of my first piece further above my belayer?
We should prepare for the worst case scenario while not sacrificing the strength and integrity of our primary fall protection system. there is not always a perfect solution to the risks present in every moment. We will discuss and demonstrate the variables and risks present in the belaying configurations and techniques we employ when we lead out. This seminar will help prepare you to make the best judgment call possible in these risky situations.
6/11 - the rack: Tools, techniques & tactics for pairing it down while increasing options
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
What gear is out there that can increase my placement and anchoring options? What are the pros and cons of all of these different tools? What techniques can I employ when I need that critical size piece, extra draw, or anchoring material? How can I strategize my tool kit to protect myself effectively and limit unnecessary items? In this seminar we will explain and demonstrate the tools, techniques, and tactics to make your rack lighter and lower profile while increasing the amount of protection and anchoring options available while on route.
6/18 - Intermediate Climbing Knots: Their applications, variations, & considerations
Beginner-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock.
In climbing we generally utilize a small number of knots in total. The purpose of this seminar is to provide a better understanding of the knots we use most often, refine the way we employ them, and learn how to apply them in new ways. We will also learn about new practical knots and their applications with any remaining time.
This seminar will encompass:
The Figure 8: Why we choose it, techniques to clean it up and make it easier to untie, techniques and variations to create redundancy in the bite, adjust lengths, create cleanliness when using redundant figure 8 variation in our anchors.
The Clove hitch. Where it works well, refining tying the clove using one handed methods to ensure clean and non twisted anchoring, considerations on adjusting the clove, carabiner selection and orientation, how to measure distance to extend yourself away from anchors.
Friction Hitches: Which one works best in their most common applications. Considerations and techniques in tying them.
Stopper Knots: What attributes are important when using them. What are the best knots to use.
Joining Knots (Bends): What bends work well, how to create "flat sides" to knots when using them in running strands in order to reduce the risks of snagged rope.
The Overhand: Creating shelves and simple adjustable systems.
6/25 - Understanding mechanical advantage and its practical applications in Rock climbing
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
July
7/2 - Rappelling on Multi-pitch terrain: A Principal based Approach
Beginner-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock.
When rappelling, we can get into some difficult situations, especially when we are unfamiliar with the terrain/route or lose access to our rope in some way. By following a few fundamental principals we can greatly reduce or eliminate these complications. We will discuss these principals and demonstrate and practice the techniques for effective execution of rappels and transitions between rappels
7/9 - Improvising Rappel and Belay Systems
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock. It is very helpful to already be able to tie a munter hitch.
If we don't have a belay device how do we belay a leader or follower? when we don't have a rappel device how do we rappel? When we have a double rope rappel, how do we rappel if we only have a belay/rappel device that is made for one strand of rope? If there is a damaged spot in our rope, how do we still use our entire rope to rappel? If we should've had a 70m rope, how do we still get down with a 60m? If the anchor is questionable, how do we effectively back it up and not leave critical gear behind?
In this seminar we will explain, demonstrate and practice the concepts and techniques to answer as many of these queries as possible.
7/16 - Anchoring: Refining the Basics
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
We can construct our anchors out of three common items that we carry with us as trad climbers: cords, runners, and the rope itself. We can pre-equalize or self equalize. We can combine these methods. We can construct off of one or multiple anchor points. Usually, we can do all of these things in more simple and efficient ways that are just as solid and redundant.
The more you know, the less you'll use. In order to use less, you need to know more. Although this seminar will include foundational anchor construction methods, it will largely focus on simplifying and refining those methods.
7/23 - Belaying The leader on multi-pitch Rock: considering the risks and techniques to minimize them
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
What is really going to happen at the belayers end of the climbing system? Should the belayer be anchored down? Should we place a piece before we come off the anchor or should we clip the anchor itself? Will the belayer impact the first piece of pro? Should the belay be off the harness or off the anchor? What device should be used? Should the belay be anchored with the rope or with a PAS? Can I position my belayer further below my first piece instead of my first piece further above my belayer?
We should prepare for the worst case scenario while not sacrificing the strength and integrity of our primary fall protection system. there is not always a perfect solution to the risks present in every moment. We will discuss and demonstrate the variables and risks present in the belaying configurations and techniques we employ when we lead out. This seminar will help prepare you to make the best judgment call possible in these risky situations.
7/30 - the rack: Tools, techniques & tactics for pairing it down while increasing options
Intermediate-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has begun learning to lead traditional climbing.
What gear is out there that can increase my placement and anchoring options? What are the pros and cons of all of these different tools? What techniques can I employ when I need that critical size piece, extra draw, or anchoring material? How can I strategize my tool kit to protect myself effectively and limit unnecessary items? In this seminar we will explain and demonstrate the tools, techniques, and tactics to make your rack lighter and lower profile while increasing the amount of protection and anchoring options available while on route.
August
8/6 - Intermediate Climbing Knots: Their applications, variations, & considerations
Beginner-Advanced: This is appropriate for anyone who has experience following and rappelling multi-pitch rock.
In climbing we generally utilize a small number of knots in total. The purpose of this seminar is to provide a better understanding of the knots we use most often, refine the way we employ them, and learn how to apply them in new ways. We will also learn about new practical knots and their applications with any remaining time.
This seminar will encompass:
The Figure 8: Why we choose it, techniques to clean it up and make it easier to untie, techniques and variations to create redundancy in the bite, adjust lengths, create cleanliness when using redundant figure 8 variation in our anchors.
The Clove hitch. Where it works well, refining tying the clove using one handed methods to ensure clean and non twisted anchoring, considerations on adjusting the clove, carabiner selection and orientation, how to measure distance to extend yourself away from anchors.
Friction Hitches: Which one works best in their most common applications. Considerations and techniques in tying them.
Stopper Knots: What attributes are important when using them. What are the best knots to use.
Joining Knots (Bends): What bends work well, how to create "flat sides" to knots when using them in running strands in order to reduce the risks of snagged rope.
The Overhand: Creating shelves and simple adjustable systems.
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