Lesson 1

2nd SEM 2021 - 2022

Basic Mountaineering
Course 1
“The end of every road is only the beginning of a new one, even longer and
more difficult”
― Anatoli Boukreev
 Introduction
Mountaineering 101

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 Mountaineering 101
• Mountaineering is one sport that one can enjoy either with a
team, a group of friends, with a partner or even by his
lonesome. It is good to experience each one of them once in a
while but before one should venture out into the wilderness
on his own, it is advised that the first join an organized climb
and learn the basic mountaineering skills for his safety and
enjoyment. It is advisable for an individual to join some
mountaineering group where he could learn and experience
the basics extensively through the courses they offer. Just be
sure that the organization one will join offers such services.
• The organizer should have mastered the basic skills at the
minimum and have a good record of experiences before he
leads a group. This is due to the fact that still,
mountaineering has dangerous aspects.

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Climb Preparation In preparing for a climb, several factors
have to be taken into consideration by
the prospective climber. No backpacker
Mountaineering 101 - beginner or expert - can ignore
physical fitness in preparing for a
climb. A certain level of fitness is
required for a pleasant and safe climb.
In order to enjoy the scenery and the
company of fellow backpackers, one
must be fit to keep up with them. The
lack of preparation has made a lot of
potentially great climbs end in total
disaster.

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  To help you in preparing for a climb, I

Physical Fitness: have listed down some guidelines:

 All participants of the climb must be
physically fit. The best type of fitness
Mountaineering 101 program involves continuous
endurances training though aerobic
sports such as running, swimming,
cycling and walking.
 Weight training is the perfect
supplement to an aerobic program.
This will help you develop your
muscular strength and endurance.

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 Cardio Exercise
Mountaineering 101

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  Any participant in a climb who get

Physical Fitness: sick before the climb should forego his

participation. A sick climber becomes
a liability to the group.
Mountaineering 101  An old adage says that the best
exercise for mountaineering is
mountaineering. The hardiest hikers
and climber are those who spend a
great deal of their time hiking,
backpacking and climbing.
 Being fit gives you the
confidence to tackle climbs such
that psyching up come almost
naturally
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  The success of an expedition depends largely
upon the amount of planning given to the
Planning a climb: activity. The different components that make
up a climb are discussed during the pre –
climbing meeting. In preparing for a climb, a
Mountaineering 101 plan to climb must first be submitted and
approved by the officers of organization in
order to be a designated as an official climb.
 A Climb Repot Form (filled out with the
necessary details) is submitted to the
Executive Cabinet at least three (3) days
before the pre – climb meeting. The organizers
of the climb should serve notice to the
members at least one week beforehand.
Announcements should include the objective,
nature, requirements, and itinerary of the
climb.

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  Organization regulations require that
all the participants of the climb
The Pre – Climb Meet: conduct a pre – climb meeting at least
three (3) days before the start of the
Mountaineering 101 climb. This is to ensure that the
participants have enough time to
prepare for the climb. The pre – climb
is a comprehensive study, presentation
and discussion of the essential parts of
conducting a climb. Its format
should include the following
items:

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 A. The Objective of the Climb
The objectives of the climb should be determined
The Pre – Climb beforehand since this will determine the nature,
requirements and itinerary of the climb.

Meet: Requirements for one type of climb may be

radically different from that of another climb:
Mountaineering 101
therefore, all preparations for the climb should be
viewed in light of the climb’s objectives. For
example – if the objectives is to ascend Mt.
Guiting – Guiting’s summit (in Romblon), then it
follows that this climb would require a strong
team, extra provisions and rock climbing
equipment.

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 B. The Nature of the Climb
Climbs can be classified into six (6) categories:
1. Training Climbs: The primary purpose of these
climbs is to meet the training requirements of any
organization/clubs applications. The organization
provides its applications with a progressive training
The Pre – Climb Meet: program, which gradually prepares them for major
ascents.
Mountaineering 101 2. Minor Climbs: Minor climbs are also known as
fun climbs. These climbs are conducted for their
recreational value. They are light and relaxing
backpacking trips to accessible places like Mt. Agad -
Agad in Iligan City and Tinago Falls.

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 B.
B.The
TheNature
Natureof
ofthe
theClimb
Climb
: Climbs can be classified into six (6) categories:
Manabu Peak
Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sulok, Brgy. Sta.
The Pre – Climb Meet: Cruz, Sto. Tomas
LLA: 13.9777degree, 121. 2413
Mountaineering 101 760 MASL
Days required/ Hours to summit
1 day/1 – 2 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2

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 B. The Nature of the Climb
Climbs can be classified into six (6) categories:
3. Clean – up Climbs – The primary objective of a clean –
up is to help preserve and maintain a highly impacted mountain
The Pre – Climb Meet: by bringing down trash (left on the mountain), planting trees
and maintaining trails. These climbs are commonly held in Mt.
Mountaineering 101 Makiling, Mt. Makulot and Mt. Arayat.
4. Major Climbs – Are ascents on mountains whose degree
of difficulty is higher than those used on training climbs. It
usually takes several days to complete these climbs. Mt.
Banahaw, Mt. Kanlaon and Mt. Apo are good examples of these
climbs

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 B. The Nature of the Climb
Climbs can be classified into six (6) categories:
MT. PULAG (AKIKI TRAIL)
Kabayan, Benguet
Major Jump-off: Brgy. Doacan,
The Pre – Climb Meet:
Kabayan (Akiki)
Mountaineering 101 LLA: 16◦34’58”N;
120◦53’15”E;
2922 MASL
Hours to summit/Days required: 10 – 11 hours/ 2 – 4 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 7/9, Trail class 3

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 B. The Nature of the Climb
Climbs can be classified into six (6) categories:
5. Guideship Climbs – Mountaineers provide groups with
guided ascents. For a fee, select members can organize a trek
for groups interested in climbing a certain mountain. A
The Pre – Climb Meet: guideship climb can tackle mountains classified as major climb
or minor climb.
Mountaineering 101 6. Exploratory Climb – These are climbs where in the
routes are established and are ascended for the first time. An
exploratory expedition requires great amount of preparation and
careful planning.

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 C. Route planning
An ascent must be studied with the aid of maps. The
map usually gives information regarding existing and
possible routes, communities within the periphery of
the mountain, distribution of vegetation, approximate
The Pre – Climb Meet: compass bearings and an approximation of the
steepness of the terrain.
Mountaineering 101
D. The Itinerary of the climb
The value of having an itinerary is realized in
keeping up with schedules to avoid unnecessary
discomforts such as being forced to do late treks or to
set up camp in the dark.

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 D. The Itinerary of the climb
Programming activities maximizes efficient use of
time. In multi – day ascents or exploratory climbs,
the itinerary is usually formulated based on the study
The Pre – Climb Meet: of the map which provides an approximation of the
distances to travel. The amount of gear and
Mountaineering 101 provisions required is determined by the established
itinerary.

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 D. The Itinerary of the climb
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Overnight Climb
0600 Meetup Tambo Bus Terminal /Breakfast/Buy
The Pre – Climb Meet: Packed
Mountaineering 101 700 ETD Terminal
1000 ETA Davao City
1010 Start Trek to Old Trail/Registrations
along the trail
1230 Camp 1/Registration and Rest/Look for
suitable camp for your group

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 E. Climb Organization
The first step in organizing a climb is the selection of
team leader, a scribe, a medic and a tailman.
The Team Leader – Is selected according to his/her
The Pre – Climb Meet: familiarity with the mountain and his/her leadership
potential. He/She is given an almost absolute role in
Mountaineering 101 decision making on that climb. However, he/she
should also be open – minded enough to accept
suggestion, especially on decisions involving the
safety of the party.
The Medic – Should have a thorough knowledge of
first aid techniques.

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 E. Climb Organization
The first step in organizing a climb is the selection of
team leader, a scribe, a medic and a tailman.
The Scribe – Has the duty of documenting the
The Pre – Climb Meet: details of the climb.
The Tailman – Has the responsibility of bringing up
Mountaineering 101 the rear.

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 F. Budgeting
An essential part of climbing is determining the
approximate cost of transportation, meals and other
expenses. Each member usually pays for his/her
The Pre – Climb Meet: transportation fare. A certain individual may be
assigned to prepare a certain meal during the climb.
Mountaineering 101 The cost of all the meals is summed up and payments
are settled later (usually in the post – climb meeting).
Other expenses like spare batteries, trail food, etc. are
for the account of the individual mountaineer, unless
discussed otherwise by the group members.

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 G. Meal Planning
The amount of food to be carried on an expedition is
determined by the length of stay in the wild plus
extra rations in case of emergencies. The climber
must avoid buying his/her meal requirements at the
jump-off point because the presence of stores or
The Pre – Climb Meet: markets in the area is uncertain. Even if the climber
finds one, it’s still uncertain that the store will have
Mountaineering 101 what he’s searching for.
It is better that the climber plans his/her meal before
the climb so he/she can avoid those stuffs. Besides,
what are pre – climb meets for? The type and amount
of food to be used and brought can be determined by
the following guidelines.

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 G. Meal Planning
Sample Meal Plan:
1. Budget
2. Quantity – Kilogram,
pcs. Ect.

The Pre – Climb Meet: 3. Strategy for meal arrangement

to avoid addle specially on
Mountaineering 101 vegetables goods.
4. Food allergy or food Irritation.
5. Food based on Environment –

soup ect .
6. Check – water source and Gas or
equipment to use. Cook set.
7. Waste or Trash management.
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 G. Meal Planning
Meals should be able to provide and replenish the
energy requirements of the climber. This means
packing a lot of carbohydrates with protein and fat
rich food.
The Pre – Climb Meet: Multi – day ascents require meals that will not spoil
easily. Food can be preserved through drying,
Mountaineering 101 pickling and salting. Food treated with spices and
vinegars usually lasts for days. There are also meals
which can’t spoil quickly.
It is easier to plan and prepare meals for smaller
groups. Large groups require large and heavy
cooking utensils.

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 G. Meal Planning
Meals should not be limited to pre – packaged food
or canned goods. The creative outdoorsman can come
up with a hundred different ways of preparing
nutritious and delicious meals in the wild.
Keep in mind however that the wise backpacker will
The Pre – Climb Meet: design menus which will use light ingredients.
Canned tomato sauce may be replaced by powdered
Mountaineering 101 tomato paste. Soup mixes are lighter than their
canned version. By using light ingredients, you will
be able to lessen your load.
Trail meals are helpful in elimination hunger and
exhaustion during trekking.

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 G. Meal Planning
Trail meals it can even act as your main meal if you
fail to eat during meal time due to delayed itineraries.
Trail food should meet 3 requirements:
1. It should not induce thirst, since it would induce
the climber to consume more water.
The Pre – Climb Meet:
2. Nutritious and must satisfy your body’s energy
Mountaineering 101 requirements. Sweets in general, meet these
criteria but may requires some catabolic
conversions before your body can use it as fuel.
3. Easy to prepare and should require little or no
cooking at all. Time and fuel constraints must be
considered.

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 H. Permits and other requirements
by the local government:
Climb permits and guide fee – payment and
process/ online or by schedule.
The Pre – Climb Meet:
Medical Certificate – checking of medical
Mountaineering 101 background.
Improper Clothing – traditional, wearing of an
military camouflage is not advisable. (applicable only
in the Philippine mountains).

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THANK YOU!
Novy A.Navasquez

Phone
0905 - 577 - 6866
Email
novy.navasquez@amcc.edu.ph