ICE CLIMBING POLICY OF THE RENSSELAER OUTING CLUB
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GENERAL:

     Note:  This activity covers any technical roped ice climbing and high
            angle snow climbing where belays and points of protection are 
            necessary. It is up to the individual to determine when the
            situation warrants technical ice climbing and when it is simply
            a steep snow climb. Ice climbing is to be considered with great
            respect; it is a dangerous sport. Skills involve both those of
            rock climbing and winter mountaineering.

     Note:  R.O.C. ropes are not to be used for lead climbing.

     Note:  All ice climbing trips must have an appropriate winter i
            mountaineering leader.


TRIP CLASSIFICATION:

Class C:
     1. Day trips that involve top roping or top belaying. 
     2. Participants are taught basic skills (i.e. rope 	
     3. handling, belaying, knot tying, harness making, basic 
        ice climbing techniques)
Class B:
     1. Day trips that involve multiple or single pitch lead 
        climbing.
     2. Participants should be aware of the dangers of 
        the sport.
     3. Participants should be familiar with continuous climbing 	
        techniques and basic winter mountaineering practices.
     4. Participants should know the basic skills taught in Class
        C trips. 
     5. Participants should able to clean lead gear.
Class A:
     1. Multi-day ice climbs or any extended technical ice
        climbing above 10,000 feet.
     2. Participants must be experienced ice climbers
     3. Participants must be experienced in winter mountaineering
     4. Particpants must have a working knowledge of:
           a. Leader rescue
           b. Avalanche detection and rescue
           c. High altitude techniques


CLASSIFICATION OF LEADERS:

Class C:
     1. May lead only Class C trips.
     2. Must have knowledge of:
           a. Knot tying
           b. Making swiss seat style harness and
              other styles of harnesses
           c. Top rope rigging
           d. Anchor equalization
           e. Belaying
           f. Rope handling
           g. Basic ice climbing techniques
           h. Snowshoeing
           i. Crampon and ice axe use
           j. Basic winter mountaineering dress
           k. Self rescue
		
Class B:
     1. May lead Class C and Class B trips.
     2. Must have knowledge of:
           a. All Class C requirements
           b. Common forms of ice protection (tubular screw, deadmen)
           c. Gear placement
           d. Lead climbing
           e. Hanging belay construction
           f. French and American-Chouinard techniques

Class A
     1. May lead Class C, B, and A trips.
     2. Must have knowledge of:
           a. All Class C and B requirements
           b. Direct aid on ice
           c. Problems of high altitude mountaineering
     3. Must be a Class B winter mountaineering leader.


RECOMMENDED EQUIPEMENT:

Roger W. White
Ice Climbing Chairman
R.O.C. 1994-1995.