Gear Ratings
What is a "rating"?
A rating is the Hoofer Mountaineering Clubs tool for measuring competencies for gear check out and trip attendance. Without proper ratings, you cannot check out gear from the HMC gear locker.
How do I get rated?
Ratings are typically quiz and skill based. You will be asked a number of questions and be asked to demonstrate certain skills. To get rated, come to a HMC meeting on Thursdays at 7:00 pm or contact a gear manager!
What if I don't have the skills to pass?
Don't worry! You can gain the skills and knowledge through clinics, educational sessions, and trips offered by the club. If you are not finding the support you need, contact us and we can help you further!
What else can I do with my rating?
At times, a trip may require a rating in order to attend. This ensures that participant skills are honed enough for the terrain and level of other participants. If no rating is required, the trip is open to all.
Skills Resource Videos
| Rating | Prerequisites | Rating Assessment Content | Gear Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Rating | None | None | Shoes, Helmet, and other gear under guidance of a club leader |
| Bouldering | None | Proper pad placement, spotting techniques | Boulder Pads |
| Top Rope | None | Anatomy and proper use of harness, belaying, tying in, lowering, partner checks, understanding of basic climbing hardware (carabiners, belay devices), comprehension of basic climbing risks at the crag | Harness, Belay Device, Carabiners |
| Sport Lead | Top Rope | Lead belay, understand different lead falls and catches; proper use of quick draw, clipping technique; identify risks with sport climbing (back clip, z-clip, back step); stick clipping; cleaning routes (passing bite of rope and the tail end); rappelling with backup | Climbing Rope, Quick Draws, Stick Clip, Belay Glasses |
| Ice I | Top Rope | Understanding of basic anatomy and use of ice tools, comprehension of risks associated with ice climbing | Ice Tools, Crampons, Mountaineering Boots |
| Ice II | Sport Lead, Ice I | Proper use of ice screws, construction of V-threads, risks associated with lead climbing and belaying on ice | Ice Screws, Misc Ice Gear |
| Anchors I | Top Rope | Fundamentals of Anchors (CAMS, SERENE), climbing knots (bowline, overhand/figure-eight on bite, clove hitch, BHK), personal tethering systems, anchors using bolted protection, anchors using natural features (trees, bouldering, etc) | Climbing Rope, Static Line, Webbing, Cordelette, Slings, other soft goods |
| Anchors II | Anchors I | Proper placement and assessment of traditional climbing gear, anchors using any combination of tradition and natural protection | Cams, Nutes, Hexes, Tricams, Nut Tools |
| Traditional Lead | Sport Lead, Anchors II | Understanding extensions, understanding direction of pull, top belaying, risks associated with traditional lead climbing | Alpine Draws |
| Multipitch | Traditional Lead | Anchor changeovers with and without leader swap, basic rescue haul systems, double rope rappel, lowering followers off different belay devices | TBD |
| Aid (clean) | Multipitch | Proper use of daisy/ladder, ascending/descending fixed lines | TBD |
| Big Wall | Aid | Lower out, pendulums, haul bag management, portaledge assembly | Portaledge |