Lesson 1Finding Way and Talking Gear: Map/Compass/GPS Basics for Alpine Walks, Height Meter Use, VHF/PLB/Satellite Talker Choices and Battery PlansLooks at finding way and talking tools for alpine walks, including map, compass, GPS, and height meter, plus VHF, PLB, and satellite talkers, with focus on extras, batteries, and cold power handling.
Map and compass for alpine walksGPS use, paths, and pointsHeight meter set and checksVHF, PLB, and satellite talkersBattery plans in coldLesson 2Clothes and Layer Plans for High Alpine Ice: Base Layers, Middle Layers, Warm Shells, and Hand Work vs Warm TradeoffsDetails clothes plans for cold alpine ice, including wet-managing base layers, active middle layers, shell choices, and hand plans that balance hand work and warm while stopping sweat build and fast heat loss.
Wet-managing base layersActive warm and middle layersShell jackets and soft pantsGlove plans and hand work tradeoffsHandling sweat, wind, and rest stopsLesson 3Emergency and First Help Kit Things: Hurt vs Wild First Help Items, Supports, Blister Care, Cold Sickness Treatment Items, Leave PackingSets a small emergency kit for alpine ice, splitting hurt care from wild problems, with supports, blister care, cold sickness tools, and light packing that helps make-do leaves in steep land.
Hurt supplies for blood stopSupports and hold still choicesBlister stop and treatmentCold sickness spot and answerLeave packing and carriesLesson 4Foot Wear, Spike Shoes, and Leg Covers: Boot Hard, Spike Shoe Types (Step-In vs Mixed), Anti-Snow Ball Fixes and Fit StepsLooks at boots, spike shoes, and leg covers for alpine ice, stressing boot hard, spike shoe tie styles and fit, anti-snow ball fixes, and step-by-step fit steps that stop hot spots and lost spike shoes.
Boot hard and warm levelsStep-in vs mixed spike shoe tiesFront point shapes for WI3–WI4 iceAnti-snow ball plates and keep upSpike shoe fit checks and changesLesson 5Ropes and Stop Devices: One vs Half/Dual Ropes for Alpine Land, Dry Covers, Length Choices, and Rub Devices for Down and Rope DropLooks at rope choices for WI3–WI4 alpine routes, comparing one and half ropes, dry covers, and best lengths, with stop and rope drop devices for thin, icy ropes and good multi-pitch changes.
One vs half and pair rope plansDry covers and water takeRope thick, length, and handleStop devices for thin icy ropesDown, rope drop, and backupsLesson 6Packing and Weight Handling: Grouping Things by Job, Less Show While Keeping Extra, and Before Trip Gear ChecksFocuses on packing ways that balance safety and good work, grouping things by job, less show time at stops, keeping need extra, and using before-trip gear checks to catch big misses.
Grouping gear by job and partBalance extra and smallPack set for fast getShared team gear and load shareBefore-trip and before-climb gear checksLesson 7Ice Tools and Tool Pick: Straight vs Mixed Tools, No-Rope/Rope Talk, Pick Types, and Backup Tool ThoughtsLooks at picking ice tools for WI3–WI4 routes, comparing straight and mixed designs, no-rope vs rope sets, pick shapes and metal hard, and carrying backups or fix kits for far alpine goals.
Straight vs mixed tool shapeNo-rope vs rope setsPick shapes, teeth, and metalGrip rests and handle easyExtra tools, picks, and hard thingsLesson 8Belt, Head Guard, Personal Safe Things: Belt Fit, Leg Loops, Change vs No-Change, Head Guard Fit and Change RulesCovers picking and fitting belts and head guards for long ice days, including size, change, work with winter layers, check routines, and change times to keep easy and hit safe.
Belt size over winter layersLeg loop styles and changeGear loop set for ice racksHead guard fit, cover, and easyCheck and stop use rulesLesson 9Safe Hard Things: Ice Screw Types, Lengths, and Materials; V-Thread/Abalakov Rope Choices; Alpine vs Sport Ice HoldsCovers ice safe hard things for WI3–WI4, including screw types, lengths, and materials, V-thread rope and tools, and building strong alpine holds that differ from thick sport ice safe plans.
Metal vs light metal ice screw choicesScrew lengths and rack makeSharp, caps, and storeV-thread tools and rope pickAlpine hold plans vs sport
