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General Climbing Discussion

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Preparation for New Zealand TMC 1-Jul-2009 At 3:27:15 PM Richard

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I did a TMC course - alpine guides - with very (very) little rock climbing experience. I think I'd had one weekend multi pitching at araps. It did mean that I didn't always have a strong reference / knowledge base for comparing what we'd been told with how its done on rock - but you still learn. A lot of things are different away - placing pro is different - anchours are different, galcier / crevase / alanache awareness, short roping, z-pullys, are all stuf you do on snow that don't exist on rock.

I think the advice you've been given is pretty good - read as much as you can, get some real rock experience at least, and make sure your fit (though you will spend a fair amount of time standing around being told stuff.)

I'd also add, think carefully about your clothing gear - a weather proof gortex jacket that your harness actually fits under - a spare pair of mittens / gloves. Little things like this can have a big impact.

The course is unlikey to attempt difficult climbs - its probably easier to teach people on a simple climb than a difficult one, so being able to climb rock grade 20 is no benefit over grade 15. You just need some basic single / multi pitch experience.

The course is there to teach you. Some of the things some people have suggested you do prior would mean you no longer need to do the course. The course won't mean you could lead a party on a mountaineering trip.. its just an inital starting point. I think some of the suggestons are assuming this is the intention - you would need a lot more experience if this was so.

Have fun.