Mountaineering and Outdoor Education

201 Basic Mountaineering School

The Denver Group's Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) provides you with the skills needed to safely participate on CMC mountaineering climbs within Colorado in all weather conditions.

These skills include:

• navigation and route finding;
• planning and organizing climbs;
• rock climbing skills for following on fourth and fifth class routes;
• and snow climbing skills up to and including roped climbing with crampons.

BMS is for CMC members interested in high peak climbing or rock climbing with the knowledge and skills they will need to pursue those sports safely and sensibly. It teaches an appreciation of their own strengths and limitations with an understanding and respect for the mountain environment. These objectives are attempted through a schedule of lectures and field trips.

It is the goal of the school to only graduate members who can safely and competently participate on club mountaineering activities.

Successful completion of BMS (or its equivalent) is a requirement for a Denver Group "D" hiking classification and is recommended for Intermediate Rock Climbing School. Contact the BMS director to discuss equivalent requirements.

Possession of a Denver Group "C" hiking classification and successful completion of either Wilderness Trekking School, Backpacking School, or their equivalent are requirements for admission to BMS.

School begins in April and consists of five evening lectures, and the last one is held in May. There are eight field trips including six one-day weekend field trips in April and May, a one-day field trip and an overnight backpack trip during the summer. Registration and other details are announced in the January issue of the Mile High Mountaineer.

Registration and Information for 2004