Purpose

The purpose of the checkout is to ensure that all the students meet the basic fitness and technical requirements to take the Mountaineering School. Elite fitness is not required but a good starting point will help you get the most out of the school. Basic climbing skills are necessary for safety, and we won’t have time for catching people up. Anybody who doesn’t pass the checkout will be advised on how they can improve for the following year. Passing the checkout doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the Mountaineering School as other factors apply (max class size, etc).

Location

• Fitness checkout - University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning. Meet on the ground floor by the coffee shop. Park on street or in the free Morewood Parking Lot at Carnegie Mellon University

• Climbing checkout - McConnells Mill State Park. Caravan there or follow directions to the Rim Road Climbing Area.  http://www.mountainproject.com/v/mcconnells-mill-state-park/106055867

Schedule

• 8:45 - Meet at the Cathedral of Learning, ground floor

• 9:00 - Ready to start fitness checkout

• 10:45 - Wrap up Fitness checkout, head to McConnells Mill

• 12:00 - Start Climbing Check out (if not already in progress)

• Around 4:00 - Finish

What to bring:

• Fitness checkout

• Hiking-ready footwear (e.g., hiking boots, trail runners, etc.)

• 15lb pack, any liter size is okay as long as weight requirement is met (we will measure day of, so come prepared!)

• Food and water for the day

• Climbing checkout

  • Dry clothing (no cotton!)

  • Check the weather and dress for conditions

  • Bring the warmest insulated jacket you have 

  • Personal climbing gear

    • Harness, helmet MANDATORY

    • Carabiners, belay device, slings, prussik cords (bring whatever you have)

    • Climbing shoes (if you have them)

• You may be asked to carry club gear up or down

Fitness Checkout Requirements

• 5 reps of the Cathedral stairs with a 15 lb pack complete in under 90 minutes

The amount of gear and equipment required to be even basically comfortable is large. If you don't already have much technical outdoor gear, You will spend money to pursue this sport - maybe $1000, maybe $3000 in just your first year.

• We go a long way to help ease the pain: we try our best to outfit each student with mountaineering boots, crampons, a glacier axe, and technical tools during the school.  This gear is provided free of charge (a refundable deposit is required)  during the school term.  Note that these are all subject to size avilability and limited quantities.

• Other gear, if needed, is available for very reasonable rental rates from the ECP including: helmets, harnesses, tents, bivys, backpacks, sleeping bags, snowshoes, and trekking poles.

Students will NOT be expected to be fully outfitted by the time of the first class. In fact, we recommend waiting to purchase gear until you learn what works best in the mountains. However, students should be prepared enough by the time of the first outing to get through a day hike in inclement weather that October and early November can bring.

Below is an overview of gear & clothing that students will need to complete the outings prior to the post-graduation trip.  It is NOT a complete list of all required gear but it should provide prospective students a sense of what they typically will need to purchase themselves (List 1) and what they can typically expect to be borrowed from the ECP or its members (List 2) over the course of the school.  A more detailed explanation of the types of gear required will be provided during the first class.

List 1 - Gear & Clothing Typically Requiring Student Purchase

Note that NONE of the clothing items below should include ANY cotton...As you will learn in the mountaineering school - cotton kills!

Wicking/Base Layer

• Socks, liner

• Long underwear bottoms

• Long underwear top

• Liner gloves

Insulating/Middle Layer

• Socks, 2 pairs

• Top, fleece

• Hat, fleece

• Parka/Coat, down or synthetic (or heavy ski jacket)

• Balaclava / face mask

Shell Layer

• Hiking boots (this does NOT mean expensive mountaineering boots!)

• Pants, waterproof/breathable

• Jacket, waterproof/breathable

• Gloves/mits, heavy (insulated)

• Gaiters

Miscellaneous Gear

• Headlamp

• 2 water bottles with insulated holders

• Bowl, mug, and spork

• Compass

• Carabiners

• Belay/rappel device

• Personal anchor

• Cordelette

• Pulley

• Stuff sacks, miscellaneous (optional)

• Sleeping pad, self-inflating or closed cell foam

• Sleeping bag, 0-20 degree (can be rented)

List 2 - Group Gear, Gear that can be Rented or Borrowed

• Stove

• Cookware

• 3 and 4 season tents

• Bivy sack

• Rope

• Rock and ice protection

• 2-way radios

• Goggles

• Backpack

• Sleeping Bag

*The ECP Mountaineering School's instructors have many of the more expensive items that students will need (List 2) and are generous in lending their personal gear. However, we can not guarantee that each of these items will be available to every student.

The course is very inexpensive, but you have to understand, we are weekend warriors with a love for our sport, not paid guides! You must accept a level of self-sufficiency and responsibility. We will steer you in the right direction, nothing else!

This course is for those with a desire to learn the sport. We will provide you with the tools to ascend the world's mountains. You provide the desire and responsibility we all have on the high places of the earth. We are friends teaching friends, Mountaineers teaching Mountaineering.

Upfront Costs

• ECP Membership: $20 individual, $25 family. See our ECP membership application and liability waiver.

• The Course:

  New students: $250 + $50 (refundable gear deposit) + $10 (PayPal fee) = $310

  Returning students: $85 + $50 (refundable gear deposit) + $10 (PayPal fee) = $145

  • You will not find a better value or similar program anywhere close to this price.  We do this because we enjoy sharing our knowledge and experience and so that we can expand the community of qualified mountaineers in the Club.

• Textbooks: ~$60 for the 2 required textbooks (Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills and Alpine Climbing: Techniques to Take You Higher).  See Reading Assignments below for more information.

Gear and Equipment

Refer to the gear and equipment listed above

Other Expenses

• The cost of transportation to and from all outings is your responsibility. Carpools will be arranged to keep this at a minimum.

• All post-graduation trip expenses (potential air travel and minimal lodging) are your responsibility

Each class will have a reading assignment from the required textbooks, to be completed before class.

Required Textbooks

Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills (10th edition)
	With more than 600,000 copies sold, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is the acclaimed bible for climbers all over the world, and the new edition marks the 50th anniversary of this seminal title.
Alpine Climbing: Techniques to Take You Higher
	This intermediate guide addresses tools, skills, and techniques used in alpine terrain includng rock, snow, ice, and glaciers at moderate altitude approximately 5,000 metres and lower.