Sander Meijer
@bergmeister@mountains.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

The second day of the course had (as all days will have) a focus on tour planning. Where we went off the tracks on day 1, today we mostly stayed on them (T1-T3, with a nice exposed ridge T4).

Main topic was the use of a static rope to secure people during difficult sections (e.g. because of washed away sections, a mental blockade, etc). We learned that a Tourenleiter is allowed to fix a rope to him/herself and to a participant, but never at the same time (so we can let someone down, but in case we notice we can hold him/her anymore, we will have to let go). We learned how to prevent such situations, but nothing is bulletproof.

Every course member lead a part of the hike, learning the ropes by doing, with a watching eye of the course leader. Feedback rounds did not miss of course.

A good day.

#Hiking#SAC#Tourenleiter
Sander Meijer
@bergmeister@mountains.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

The tour that we had to plan for day three of the course was long, probably too long (for the predicted weather). This was (as sort of expected) to simulate the need for a change of the planned tour to one of the planned variants (which we always need to have).

During role playing everyone had to play a different character (person pushing for the original route, one that suggested a split of the group, a complete break-off of the tour, etc). The acting tour leader had to decide based on the various inputs (people, weather, terrain) what to do.

During the way down we had a simulate first aid situation that had to be taken care of.

All this where more and more the tour leader has to take his responsibility as if the course leader was not there. All in all a very educational day.

#Hiking#SAC#Tourenleiter
Sander Meijer
@bergmeister@mountains.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 2 days ago

Because of the weather situation in the Alps, we were not able to a dayhike on day four of the course.

During the morning we had theory blocks on climate change and what is meant on the mountains (changing in avalanche dangers, change on flora and fauna, change in weather extremes, change in snow elevations, etc).

In the afternoon we were lucky that we had a weather window and did an Orienteering test around the village (compass, map).

In the evening we had some time to learn for the tests of tomorrow. Fingers crossed y'all!

#Hiking#SAC#Tourenleiter
Sander Meijer
@bergmeister@mountains.social replied  ·  activity timestamp yesterday

Day five and the last day of the course. This means: decision day! In the morning we hiked a sharp T4 ridge and of course all participants took the lead for a section of the hike.

Half way we had a small practical and theoretical exam, which will be a part of the final assessment.

In the afternoon everyone will have a final talk with the course leader where we get feedback and hear the final verdict.

#Hiking#SAC#Tourenleiter

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JimmyB (he/him)
@JimmyB@mas.to replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago
@bergmeister I could so empathise with the different characters... they're all so real. Once got an absolute bollocking from our team leader when I set up a belay on an ice climb in Svalbard to get two of our team down - lazy little f*****s who were whining, and then climbed on alone to catch everyone else up. Didn't know the leaders were observing with binoculars from a distance. Live and learn or...
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