Lesson 1Gloves and hand protection: layering, dexterity vs insulation, waterproofing, glove careLearn about different glove kinds and how to layer them for cold, wet mountain weather. You will find balance between hand movement and warmth, look at ways to keep water out, and pick up easy methods for drying, storing, and fixing gloves to make them last longer in tough conditions.
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 kinds for everyday climbing versus hard technical work, and how to choose the right length. You will check the pick, handle, and end for breaks, and learn basic tying, marking, and care before and after trips to keep it ready for South Sudan adventures.
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 simple climbing: maps, compass, and phone GPS. You will practice keeping electronics safe from cold and wet, planning battery use, and carrying extras for important tasks in remote areas like South Sudan hills.
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 about climbing boot types, warmth levels, and bottom hardness, and how they work with spike attachments. You will try fitting boots for safety and comfort, and check bottoms and tops for wear or damage to ensure they hold up on rough paths.
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, outer shell and inside padding designs, and how to get a good, comfy fit. You will learn when to put on a helmet, how to look for cracks or hits, and when to stop using or change damaged gear for safety.
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 blanketPut together a small first aid and emergency pack for one-day mountain trips. You will choose things for foot sores, small cuts, and pain help, and learn how to pack, protect, and use a whistle, warm blanket, and basic papers safely.
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 a safety belt is needed for new climbing paths and easy ice or steep snow walks. You will look at light belt choices, basic loops, and simple tying ways for safety or getting things back in South Sudan-like settings.
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 step-by-step gear check list before trips that covers main things like boots, spikes, helmet, axe, and clothes. You will set good or bad rules and practice a quick but full last check to stay safe on the go.
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 to pick backpack size for day and short night climbs. You will practice packing steps, weight spread near the back, and placing emergency and often-used items for fast reach in mountain travels.
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 homeBuild a step-by-step way to make sure boots and spikes match before going out. You will check edge shapes, bottom hardness, and tie styles, then do move tests to confirm strong hold for safe steps.
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 spike types, how they stick to different boots, and how to size and adjust them tight. You will also practice basic care, stop rust, and safe keeping to keep tips sharp and ties strong for long use.
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 a useful clothing setup for late spring climbs, using base, warm, and outer layers. You will compare fabrics, handle wet and wind, and plan extra layers for stops and surprise weather changes.
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
