AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter

Climbing, Walk On Requirements

Copyright © 1996 - 2008 Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston, MA.
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Sandy Hook Adventure

Working with the National Park Service, AMC has secured rental-residency at Fort Hancock’s Education Building 102 for August. The building site accommodates 50 people in 15 rooms.

To learn more, go to the Sandy Hook Adventure page.

2009 Individual Reservations Open September 1

Starting September 1, individual members and the public can book reservations for the coming year at AMC Destinations. Here are some changes you will see in 2009 rates:
  • Consistent 3-night and 5-night discounting during peak periods, simplifying travel planning – 3-night rates are always 10% off the base single night rate, and 5-night rates are 20% off (stay 4 nights, get the 5th free). New this year, discounted pricing has been extended to include all child rates, as well as private and family rooms at the Highland Center, Joe Dodge Lodge, and Cardigan. These rates are available Sunday-Friday at any combination of huts and lodges in New Hampshire and Maine.
  • Entry Level Pricing at Lonesome Lake. To encourage more families with young children to try our family friendly, easy-to-access Lonesome Lake hut, we will discount stays at Lonesome Lake by 10% Sunday-Friday.
  • Cardigan Meal Service on Winter Weekends. Cardigan Lodge will offer meal service (dinner, breakfast, and trail lunch) on Friday and Saturday nights (and Sunday nights on MLK and President's Day weekends) January through March, making it even easier to enjoy the great cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hospitality at this destination. Whole lodge, self-service rentals will be available for chapter programs and other groups throughout the winter, and groups of 25 or more can still arrange for meal service Sunday-Thursday with advance notice.
To plan your 2009 vacation with the AMC, visit www.outdoors.org/lodging or call 603-466-2727 for more information and reservations.

Skills Taught in the Annual Training Program

You should:

  • Be able to build a solid top rope anchor using webbing and/or static rope.  This is important. You'll be rappeling and climbing on this anchor.  Trees or gear anchor points may be used.
  • Have solid knowledge of basic knots: harness tie-in and backup, figure eight-on-a-bite (or equivalent) leash, girth hitch, and can join two rappel ropes
  • Use common climbing commands appropriately.
  • Properly belay a rope leader.
  • Know how to choose and attach yourself to a belay anchor on the ground.
  • Properly clean gear from the rock.
  • Know when, why, and how to flake rope both at bottom of a climb and at the beginning of each successive pitch.
  • Know how to rappel.
  • Wear your harness properly.
  • Coil the rope properly.
  • Know when, why, and how to safely ascend rope using friction knots, e.g. prussic.
  • Know when, why, and how to safely escape a loaded belay.