Training
Climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or even death. Participants in ICHC activities should be aware of this, be willing to accept the risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. In relation to this, the ICHC Committee encourages members to avail of opportunities for training.
Occasional training days and weekends are being organised, with training provided by experienced members of the club or by professional trainers. Our latest training weekend was in March 2011 in Scotland, with training in winter mountaineering provided by Sea 2 Summit.
Training by Mountaineering Ireland
Members are encouraged to participate in training provided by Mountaineering Ireland. The following two training courses are of particular interest.
The Mountain Skills training course provides all the basic skills required to walk safely and competently in Ireland, when accompanied by people of similar ability. The training does not include leadership skills /techniques. Topics covered include route planning, equipment, map-reading, navigation techniques, movement on steep ground and coping with emergencies.
The Mountain Leader training course is intended for those who wish to lead others across the mountains of Ireland and Britain. Topics such as navigating in difficult conditions or coping with steep ground, and overnight camping are covered. Trainees must pass the Mountain Skills assessment before starting Mountain Leader training, and trainees who complete the course and successfully pass a 3-day assessment are granted the Mountain Leader Award.