Lesson 1Gloves and hand protection: layering, dexterity vs insulation, waterproofing, glove careUnderstand types of gloves and layering for cold, wet hill conditions. You will 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 hand movement with warmth and bulkWaterproof layers and over-mittsExtra gloves and emergency hand warmersDrying, cleaning, and small fixes in the fieldLesson 2Ice axe: types (technical vs. general mountaineering), length selection, pick and shaft inspectionLook at ice axe types for general hill climbing versus technical work, and how to choose right length. You will check pick, handle, and end for damage, and learn basic tying, marking, and care before and after trips.
General hill climbing vs technical axesChoosing right axe length for the groundPick, adze, and end wear signsHandle strength, head fixing, and tiesCleaning, rust stop, and safe carryingLesson 3Navigation and electronics: map reading, compass basics, smartphone GPS use, power management and protective casesReview key navigation tools for basic hill climbing: map, compass, and phone GPS. You will practice keeping electronics safe from cold and wet, planning power use, and carrying extras for important tasks.
Picking good topo mapsCompass basics and simple directionsOffline phone GPS and map appsBattery care in cold and power planningProtective cases, straps, and backupsLesson 4Footwear: types of mountaineering boots, fit, stiffness, sole compatibility with cramponsLearn hill boot types, warmth levels, and sole hardness, and how they work with spikes. You will practice fitting boots for safety and comfort, and checking soles and tops for wear or breaks.
B1, B2, and B3 boot types and usesSingle vs double boots and warmth levelsSizing, toe space, and heel grip checksLacing ways for going up and downSole wear, splitting, 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 safe, comfy fit. You will learn when to wear a helmet, how to check for cracks or hits, and when to stop using or replace broken gear.
UIAA and EN helmet safety rulesAdjusting inside, straps, and chin clipWhen to wear helmet on hill pathsChecking shell, foam, and fix pointsUse life, hit history, and when to retireLesson 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 hill trips. You will pick items for blisters, small cuts, and pain stop, and learn how to pack, protect, and use a whistle, space blanket, and basic papers.
Key first aid items for day climbsBlister stop, padding, and treatmentCleaning and covering small woundsUsing whistle and signal waysSpace blanket for wind and cold sicknessLesson 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 harness fits for beginner hill paths and simple ice or steep snow walks. You will review light harness choices, basic loops, and simple fixing methods for safety or getting things back.
When to add harness on easy pathsTypes of light hill harnessesFitting and putting on over boots and layersUsing loops for simple safety tasksBasic fixing to partner or fixed spotsLesson 8Pre-trip gear inspection checklist: checklist elements and pass/fail criteria for each key itemMake a step-by-step pre-trip gear check list that covers key items like boots, spikes, helmet, axe, and clothes. You will set pass or fail rules and practice a quick but full final check.
Listing all key personal gear itemsVisual and working checks for eachPass or fail rules for safety gearTiming and order of final checkNoting problems and planning fixesLesson 9Backpack and load management: capacity selection, packing order, load distribution, emergency items placementLearn how to pick backpack size for day and light overnight hill trips. You will practice packing order, weight spread near the back, and placing emergency and often-used items for quick reach.
Choosing pack size for path and seasonUsing frame, waist belt, and tight strapsPacking order for steady and reachBalancing weight near the backPlacing emergency and wet-sensitive gearLesson 10Footwear and crampon compatibility checklist: how to verify compatibility before leaving homeBuild a step-by-step way to confirm boots and spikes match before going home. You will check edge shapes, sole hardness, and clip style, then do movement tests to confirm safe fixing.
Finding boot types and sole hardnessMatching edges to spike clip typesDry fitting spikes to each boot at homeWalk, front-point, and side walk fit testsNoting which spikes fit which bootsLesson 11Crampons: designs (strap, semi-automatic, automatic), adjustment, fitting to boots, maintenanceLearn spike types, how they fix to different boots, and how to size and adjust them safely. You will also practice basic care, rust stop, and safe storage to keep points sharp and clips strong.
Strap, mixed, and auto spike designsBoot edges and spike clip matchingAdjusting length bar and heel lift settingsChecking fit with walk and kick testsRust stop, sharpening, and storageLesson 12Clothing system: base, insulating, shell layers, materials, layering strategies for late-spring mountain conditionsBuild a useful clothing system for late-spring hill climbing, using base, warm, and outer layers. You will compare fabrics, handle wet and wind, and plan extra layers for stops and surprise weather.
Wet-managing base layer choicesWarm mid-layers for cool spring tempsOuter jackets and pants for wind and wet snowAdjusting layers going up and downCarrying extras and emergency warm layers
