Qualification

Students in the ECP Mountaineering School will be engaging in activities and going to places where basic rock climbing skills and fitness are required for the safety of students and instructors. As a potential student, you need to have these in place before the school starts. Adequate rock climbing skills and fitness level must be demonstrated prior to be accepted as a student.

If you are interested in the school and lack these requirements, get to work and acquire them. If you are not sure, please contact us (link in footer) or attend the Intro Party to discuss your qualifications and what you might do about them. The number of students accepted into the school will be limited for everyone's benefit. Students must try to get out as much as the Instructors put in!

Climbing Skills

These are the basic skills of top rope climbing. You do not need to be a high-grade, excellent rock climber, but you must be competent in these skills.

Knots & Hitches

• Figure-8 Follow Through
• Figure-8 on a Bite
• Prussik Knot
• Double Fisherman's Knot
• Water (Tape) Knot
• Munter Hitch
• Clove Hitch
• Girth Hitch

Other Skills

• Belaying
• Rappelling
• Prussiking
• Basic Top-Rope Anchors
• Coiling Rope with a Butterfly Coil
• Climbing Commands and Communication

If you do not have these skills, consider taking the ECP Rock Climbing School first.

Fitness

Your basic fitness level for entry into the Mountaineering School will be determined by climbing stairs at the Pitt Cathedral of Learning. You will be required to ascend the full 36 floors four times at less than 15 minutes per trip (up only), with a total time limit of 1.5 hours.

If you do not have this minimum level of fitness, consider joining the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh to become more active.