Basic Mountaineering Summer Course
2024

Ages 14 and up

CLMRG Basic Mountaineering Summer Course
May 9th - June 28th

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!


Want to get out more? CLMRG is hosting our annual Basic Mountaineering Summer Course. Class is held every Tuesday at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest, CA starting at 7 pm for show and tell of camping, first aid, outdoor clothing, rescue, and many other aspects of outdoor recreation, whether here in the California Sierra Navada Mountains or the throughout the world. Every Wednesday we go to various locations around the local valley for practical experience in climbing, hiking, rappelling, navigation, and more. There are several hikes to go on and lots of people to meet who are all interested in the same action! Join us this summer ages 14 and up. $50 a seat. 

  1. General Overview of the Course - See here for all the nitty gritty information about the class. Impress your friends by having all the know how before you even take the class. 
  2. Class lecture schedule and practicals - Here is a student syllabus so you know what's coming. If you have to miss a class, let us know. We may be able to accommodate. 
  3. Equipment Checklist for Students - We want you to be prepared for the wilderness, but don't fret! You do not have to / should not go buy everything just yet. Let us give you the skinny about all the gear, maybe even let you borrow an item or two. 
  4. Skills Checklist for the Course - This is just a progress sheet for you to know how far along you are in learning the vital skills we are teaching. 

Remember to get a copy of your book

Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills (9th Ed.)

You may also share with a friend! 

Lectures are held at the Maturango Museum on Tuesday nights starting at 7 pm until about 9 pm.


The field trip meetup location is at Pizza Factory on Wednesday nights departing at 5 pm with carpools. When we return, we often like to stay and eat there.

2024 Summer Class
Schedule and Handouts

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► First Steps
► Clothng
► Footgear
► 10 Essentials
► Pack Prep for Hiking

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: PCT from Walkers Pass North
Students Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 liter)
► Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock
► Comfortable hiking cloths (NOT cotton; recommend long sleeves)
► Strong hiking shoes (No Sandals are acceptable)
► Flash Light or head lamp
► Beany/Warm Cap
Nice to Haves:
► Camera (phone)
► GPS Tracker (phone)
► Trek Polls
► Snacks - something salty, something sweet

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► Camping & Sleeping Systems
► Packs
► Electronics in the Wilderness
► Food and Stoves
► Prep for Friday Overnight trip, trailhead camping, and Saturday day hike
Knots: Figure-8
Recommended Reading: 

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: Pack Check TBD
Students' Equipment List
Please refer to this list for the equipment you will need For Wednesday night.
► Day Trip Equipment
► Overnight Equipment


Locations: TBD
► TBD
► TBD
Students Equipment List:
Overnight Trip Packing List
Optional Equipment:
► Camera
► Trek Poles

We will also be dividing students into their "hiking groups" for the weekend. All the students that are going on hikes in the following weekend will need to pass contact information to the trip leader.

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► Leave no Trace
► Wilderness Access
► Wilderness Travel
► Prep for Overnight Hike
Knots: Water Knot
Recommended Reading: 

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: Pack Check TBD
Students' Equipment List
We will be going over your packs for the Wednesday hikes so you know what to bring (and what to leave home).
► Day Trip Equipment
► Overnight Equipment

We will also be dividing students into their "hiking groups" for the weekend. All the students that are going on hikes in the following weekend will need to pass contact information to the trip leader.


Locations: TBD
► TBD
► TBD
Students Equipment List:
Overnight Trip Packing List
Optional Equipment:
► Camera
► Trek Poles

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► Conditioning
► Mountain Weather
► Mountain Maladies
► Prep for Conditioning Hike
Knots: Grapevine
Recommended Reading: 

At this class, we talk about the final class party where we will have a pot luck at Wagon Wheel and give out awards. The pot luck is arranged by the students and we ask one of them to be the point of contact for organizing it.

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: Five Fingers
Trail Map: Conditioning Hike Map
Trail Map: Conditioning Hike Info

Skills and Basic Instructions
Students Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 liter)
► Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock
► Comfortable hiking cloths (NOT cotton; recommend long sleeves)
► Strong hiking shoes. (No Sandals are acceptable.)
Nice to Haves:
► Camera (phone)
► GPS Tracker (phone)
► Trek Polls
► Snacks - something salty, something sweet.

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► Belaying
► Basic Safety System
► Rock Climbing Technique
► Prep for Wednesday Climbing at the Grill
► Prep for Weekend High Elevation Hikes
Knots: Clove Hitch
Recommended Reading: 

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: The Grill
► Belaying
► Rock Climbing
Students' Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 quart)
► Hat, sunglasses, and Sunblock
► Comfortable climbing cloths (not cotton; loose fitting)
► Sandals
Optional:
► Climbing Harness
► Climbing Helmet
► Climbing Shoes

INTO THE WILD
Locations: TBD
Skills and Basic Instructions
Students Equipment List:
Day Trip Packing List
Possible Equipment List:
► Camera
► Trek Poles

TUESDAY LECTURES
Presentations: (FotH Chapters)
► Alpine Rescue
► Rappelling
► Snow Travel and Climbing
► Prep for Wednesday Rappelling Trip
Knots: Prusik
Recommended Reading: 

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: Fossil Falls Parking Lot
Location Map: Fossil Falls Rappells
Skills and Basic Instructions
Students Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 quart)
► sunglasses and Sunblock
► Comfortable climbing cloths (not cotton, loose fitting)
► Camera
► Sturdy Shoes
Optional Equipment List:
► Climbing Harness
► Climbing Helmet
► Full-Finger Flexible Gloves (preferably leather)

We will also be dividing students into their hiking groups for the weekend hike. All the students going on hikes the following weekend will need to pass contact information to the trip leader. We will have 2 overnight hikes to choose from.

TUESDAY LECTURES
►Ritter Banner
►Safety and Leadership
►Prep for Wednesday Climbing at the Grill
►Prep for Weekend High Elevation Overnight Hikes
Knots: Münter hitch

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
The Grill
Skills and Basic Instructions
► Belaying
► Rock Climbing
Students' Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 quart)
► Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock
► Comfortable climbing cloths (not cotton; loose fitting)
► Sandals
Optional:
► Climbing Harness
► Climbing Helmet
► Climbing Shoes


Locations: TBD
► TBD
► TBD
Students Equipment List:
Overnight Trip Packing List
Optional Equipment:
► Camera
► Trek Poles

TUESDAY LECTURES
Knots: Münter hitch
For this final class, we will go over the heart of CLMRG and ask the students if they are interested in joining.
We will also have a skills review of anything students want to go over and get signed off.
As with any good class, there is a survey for students to fill out to let us know what ways we can improve.

WEDNESDAY PRACTICALS
Location: Wagon Wheel
Wagon Wheel bouldering
Skills and Basic Instructions
Students' Equipment List:
► Water Bottles (at least 1 quart)
► Hat, sungalsses, and Sunblock
► Comfortable climbing cloths (not cotton; loose fitting)
► Hiking shoes/boots
Optional:
► Climbing Shoes
► Sandals
► Crash Pad
► Food/Drinks to Share

Address

PO Box 2037
Ridgecrest CA, 93556

Contact Us

Contact Us
In an emergency, call 911

Links

Kern County Sheriff Office
California Region MRA

China Lake Mountain Rescue Group is a Recipient of the IWV United Way