Mountaineering (Ranger Award elective)
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Elective requirements
You must complete the first aid core requirement before you begin this elective.
- Requirement 1.
- a. Explain the difference between bouldering and technical climbing.
- b. Tell how bouldering can help your crew get ready for more advanced climbing.
- c. Demonstrate bouldering using the three-point stance and proper clothing.
- Requirement 2.
- a. Explain the classification and grades of climbing difficulty in technical rock climbing.
- b. Tell how weather can change the difficulty of any ascent.
- Requirement 3. Learn and then teach the following climbing knots to your crew, another crew, a Scout group, or another group:
- Figure eight on a bight
- Water knot
- Bowline on a coil
- Figure eight follow-through
- Grapevine knot
- Requirement 4.
- a. Learn about the different types of ropes available for climbing and explain the uses of each and the characteristics of each.
- b. Learn proper climbing rope care. Know and practice proper coiling and storage.
- c. Know how to keep proper records on climbing rope and how to inspect it for wear and damage. Know when to retire a rope.
- d. Using the knowledge acquired above, make a tabletop display or a presentation for your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout group, or another group.
- Requirement 5.
- a. Demonstrate the difference between natural and artificial anchors.
- b. Be able to identify and describe the use of at least three different types of hardware and setups.
- c. Tell about proper climbing safety both before and during a climb.
- d. Learn about rescue equipment and techniques.
- e. Learn about appropriate clothing, footwear, gloves, helmets, and other climbing gear.
- Requirement 6. Be able to correctly put on and then be able to teach others how to put on at least two of the following:
- Commercially made climbing harness
- Diaper sling
- Knotted leg-loop seat
- Swiss seat sling
- Requirement 7.
- a. Demonstrate three types of belays.
- b. Learn and then demonstrate that you know proper verbal climbing and belaying signals used between climber and belayer.
- Requirement 8. Do (a) and (b), or do (c).
- a. Under the supervision of a qualified rappelling or climbing instructor, rappel at least 30 feet down a natural or artificial obstacle.
- b. Under the supervision of a qualified climbing instructor, climb at least 30 feet up a natural or artificial obstacle.
- c. Attend a two-day rock climbing clinic/course led by a qualified climbing instructor. This course should include some instruction on technical rock climbing.
- Requirement 9. Lead your crew, another crew, an older Boy Scout group, or another teenage group on a climbing and/or rappelling activity. Recruit adequate, qualified adult instructors and assist in instruction.
Source: 1999 (2006 printing) Venturer Handbook (33494C)
