OPEN TO NOVICE CLIMBERS WITH TOP-ROPE EXPERIENCE AS NOTED BELOW
Are you looking to take your climbing experience to the next level and learn to follow multi-pitch trad climbing? If so, then this is the weekend for you. New Follower Weekend (NFW) takes place at Seneca Rocks, WV and consists of experienced trad climbing club members taking up one or two followers who are new to trad climbing. Participants should have experience top-roping outside and know how to tie-in, belay and be familiar with basic commands. You can gain these skills by climbing at our Carderock Wednesdays or linking up with Club members on the weekend at the local crags (check out the Listserve to see who is climbing where!).
PLEASE NOTE: You must have been a PATC-MS member in good standing for at least 6 months to participate. You may not participate if you have done this event before. Once you register, please fill out the skill eval form. A link will be sent to you in the confirmation email that you'll receive after registering...so PLEASE read that email!!!
On this weekend you will learn about the steps involved in a multi-pitch climb and how to safely descend at the end of the day. This is a great way to be introduced to the art of the multi-pitch trad climb. After this weekend we strongly encourage you to link-up with a professional guide service (such as Seneca Rock Climbing School or Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides) to further fine tune your trad climbing career.
Participants can expect to learn about the following:
-Choosing the route and route planning
-Lead belaying (on the ground and on ledges/stances)
-Anchoring into and understanding a multi-directional anchor
-Rope management
-Rock protection (passive, active, fixed)
-Protection removal
-Efficiently transitioning from following to belaying
-Rappelling
We ask that you please only register for this event if you are inexperienced with following trad climbing and have not previously participated in this event (sport climbers welcome, even if you climb hard sport!). Again, you should have experience top-roping. Once you register you will be directed to complete a survey of your skills. This will help us place you with the right leader and will give your leader an idea of your skills. Finally, we strongly encourage you to meet with your leader and climb together at least once on top rope before the Seneca weekend.
Participants will be responsible for the following items:
-Appropriate clothing for the weather
-Rain jacket
- Friday night dinner, lunches and water for the 2 days, a dish to share for Saturday night dinner
-Harness, shoes, helmet, chalk bag
-Belay device and locking carabiner
-2 prussiks with locking carabiners
-Nut tool (can rent from club if needed)
-backpack
-Camping equipment-tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc.
We will have a group campsite reserved for the weekend and we will coordinate carpooling as we get closer. There is a pot-luck/celebration Saturday night to mark the 80th anniversary of the first Seneca Rocks recorded ascent in 1939. John Christian, who has first ascents at Seneca Rocks, and Carderock, among other places, will give a talk with slides and a Q and A.
This year's leaders are:
Brenda Huber
Wendie White-has injured her shoulder and no longer can climb.
Rick Dotson
Mark Maier
Adam Muldoon
Josh Rhymer
Please contact Carol Clayton at carolclayton@gmail.com with questions.
