scrambling safely

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Routefinding tips

quoted from "a hiker's guide to scrambling safely"

* When looking up at a slope, it appears steeper than is truly is

* When looking down a slope, it appears less steep than it is

* Always choose your descent route before you start the scrambles. Then reassess it before you start down

* Beware of hidden cliff bands on new descent routes.
(Don't be tempted into a quick descent via an unknown gully, exit gullies can often hide dangerous cliff bands)

* Try to avoid long traverses. A direct ascent is more efficient

* Don't expect to ascend a new route as quickly as a familiar route

* Generally, more solid rock can be found on ridges where there is also less danger from rockfall

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Walk efficiently

quoted from "a hiker's guide to scrambling safely"

* Always conserve your strength and pace activity. if you discover yourself breathing heavily over a long period of time you are probably pushing yourself too hard. pace yourself. if you start out too fast you will tire more quickly. a good rule is to plan short and, if necessary frequent rest stops. if your breaks are too long, your body has a hard time getting going again

* The way you walk also has a lot to do with how much exertion and wear your body can tolerate in a day. when walking uphill, don't walk with your toes. it is a lot easier on your legs if you stretch your heels down to the ground if your are going up a slope (off-trail) and find it difficult to keep your heels down, consider switchbacking at an indirect angle across slopes to lessen the angle of your ascent. allowing your heels to rest on the ground greatly reduces the stress to your ankles and lower legs.

* When going downhill, keep your knees slighting bent, this disperses the stress of being pulled downhill onto your leg muscles, rather than your joints. also try widening your stride to both sides. this disperses a portion of your momentum to the sides rather than all downhill.

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UP!

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Rockfall

quoted from "Scrambles"

Rockfall, either naturally caused or caused by people above, can be dangerous or even deadly. Take notice of what is above at all times and avoid stopping in ares of potential danger. Wear a helmet in any situation where rockfall is an issue. Minimize the danger of rockfall caused by party members through careful group management. Either stay "nose to butte" so rocks can't pick up speed, or stay out of your partner's line of fire through spacing or by taking different routes. Be cautious when scrambling through loose rock to avoid carelessly sending down an avalanche of scree. if you do send a rock down the mountain, yell "ROCK" repeatedly(at the top of your voice) to warn those below you!