Lesson 1Gloves and hand protection: layering, dexterity vs insulation, waterproofing, glove careUnderstand types of gloves and layering for cold, wet mountain conditions. You go balance hand movement and warmth, compare ways to keep water out, and learn easy drying, storing, and fixing methods to make gloves last longer.
Liners, insulating gloves, and shell over-mittsBalancing dexterity with warmth and bulkWaterproof membranes and over-mittsSpare gloves and emergency hand warmersDrying, cleaning, and small field repairsLesson 2Ice axe: types (technical vs. general mountaineering), length selection, pick and shaft inspectionLook into ice axe types for general mountaineering against technical use, and how to choose right length. You go check pick, shaft, and spike for damage, and learn basic tying, marking, and care before and after trips.
General mountaineering vs technical axesChoosing correct axe length for terrainPick, adze, and spike wear indicatorsShaft integrity, head attachment, and leashesCleaning, rust control, and safe transportLesson 3Navigation and electronics: map reading, compass basics, smartphone GPS use, power management and protective casesGo over key navigation tools for basic mountaineering: map, compass, and smartphone GPS. You go practice protecting electronics from cold and wet, plan power use, and carry backups for important functions.
Selecting suitable topographic mapsCompass basics and simple bearingsOffline smartphone GPS and map appsBattery care in cold and power budgetingProtective cases, lanyards, and backupsLesson 4Footwear: types of mountaineering boots, fit, stiffness, sole compatibility with cramponsLearn categories of mountaineering boots, warmth levels, and sole hardness, and how they affect crampon use. You go practice fitting boots for safety and comfort, and check soles and tops for wear or damage.
B1, B2, and B3 boot categories and usesSingle vs double boots and insulation levelsSizing, toe room, and heel hold checksLacing methods for ascent and descentSole wear, delamination, and seam checksLesson 5Helmet: standards, fit, when to wear, inspecting for damage and replacement guidelinesUnderstand helmet rules, shell and foam designs, and how to get a secure, comfortable fit. You go learn when to wear helmet, how to check for cracks or hits, and when to stop using or replace damaged gear.
UIAA and EN helmet safety standardsAdjusting suspension, straps, and chin buckleWhen to wear a helmet on mountaineering routesInspecting shell, foam, and attachment pointsService life, impact history, and retirementLesson 6Basic first aid and emergency kit: essential items for one-day outing, blister care, wound care, carrying and using a whistle and space blanketBuild a small first aid and emergency kit for one-day mountain trips. You go pick items for blisters, small wounds, and pain relief, and learn how to pack, protect, and use whistle, space blanket, and basic papers.
Core first aid items for day ascentsBlister prevention, padding, and treatmentCleaning and dressing minor woundsUsing a whistle and signaling patternsSpace blanket use for wind and hypothermiaLesson 7Harness (if used) and simple attachments: when to include a harness, using slings or a lightweight harness for route protection or retrieval tasksDecide when harness fit for beginner mountain routes and simple ice or steep snow travel. You go review light harness options, basic slings, and simple tying methods for protection or getting things back.
When to include a harness on easy routesTypes of lightweight mountaineering harnessesFitting and donning over boots and layersUsing slings for simple protection tasksBasic attachment to partner or fixed pointsLesson 8Pre-trip gear inspection checklist: checklist elements and pass/fail criteria for each key itemMake a systematic pre-trip gear check list that cover key items like boots, crampons, helmet, axe, and clothes. You go define pass or fail rules and practice quick but full final check.
Listing all essential personal gear itemsVisual and functional checks for each itemPass or fail criteria for safety-critical gearTiming and sequencing the final inspectionRecording issues and planning replacementsLesson 9Backpack and load management: capacity selection, packing order, load distribution, emergency items placementLearn how to choose backpack size for day and light overnight mountaineering. You go practice packing order, weight spread near the back, and place emergency and often used items for quick reach.
Choosing pack volume for route and seasonUsing frame, hipbelt, and compression strapsPacking order for stability and accessBalancing weight close to the spinePositioning emergency and wet-sensitive gearLesson 10Footwear and crampon compatibility checklist: how to verify compatibility before leaving homeDevelop step-by-step way to confirm boots and crampons match before going home. You go check welt shapes, sole hardness, and binding type, then do movement tests to make sure secure hold.
Identifying boot categories and sole stiffnessMatching welts to crampon binding typesDry fitting crampons to each boot at homeWalk, front-point, and sidehill fit testsDocumenting which crampons fit which bootsLesson 11Crampons: designs (strap, semi-automatic, automatic), adjustment, fitting to boots, maintenanceLearn crampon types, how they attach to different boots, and how to size and adjust them secure. You go also practice basic upkeep, stop rust, and safe storage to keep points sharp and bindings strong.
Strap, hybrid, and automatic crampon designsBoot welts and crampon binding compatibilityAdjusting length bar and heel lever settingsChecking fit with walk and kick testsRust prevention, sharpening, and storageLesson 12Clothing system: base, insulating, shell layers, materials, layering strategies for late-spring mountain conditionsBuild practical clothing system for late-spring mountaineering, using base, insulating, and shell layers. You go compare materials, handle moisture and wind, and plan extra layers for rest and surprise weather.
Moisture-managing base layer optionsInsulating midlayers for cool spring tempsShell jackets and pants for wind and wet snowAdjusting layers during ascent and descentCarrying spares and emergency warm layers
