HIKING AND MOUNTAINEERING POLICY OF THE RENSSELAER OUTING CLUB
Revision Date: September 2002.


Trip Classifications for backpacking and mountain climbing trips:
 

Class D 
-Day or single night trips in fair weather (Trips must avoid steady rain, heavy snow or icy terrain, 
 temperatures below 20F, and high winds). Distance generally less than 8 miles per day; altitude gain 
 easy to moderate; maximum altitude 8000 feet. 
-Maximum participant: leader ratio of 8:1. 
 Example trips (fair weather): Green Mountains. Taconic Hills. Catskills. Berkshire Hills. Lower Adirondack peaks.

Abstract:

Participants of class D trips need not have any prior experience in hiking or backpacking.  
To introduce hikers to the sport with minimal risk, altitude is limited and travel restricted 
to day or single night trips over moderate terrain in fair weather.  The D-class is ‘beginner level.’

 
Class C
-Day, single night, or multiple night trips in most weather and trail conditions.  (Trips must avoid 
 extreme exposure to water and wind.) 
-Distance generally less than 15 miles per day; altitude gains easy to moderate, maximum altitude 15,000 feet. 
-Any trip involving route finding and lengthy travel off marked trails. 
-Maximum participant: leader ratio of 8:1. 
 Example trips:  Class D example trips in adverse weather conditions.  Adirondack higher peaks.  
                 White Mountain higher peaks.  Sierra Nevada routes.  Rocky Mountains. Smoky Mountains. Tetons.
 

Abstract:

The C-classification includes most common weekend backpacking trips that the ROC is involved with.  Trips 
may range from beginner to intermediate or advanced.  It is the responsibility of trip leaders to accommodate 
all participant abilities and to modify the travel plan if necessary.  The altitude cap avoids the most severe
complications of mountain sickness but permits climbs of the popular higher peaks in the continental US.  
The C-class is ‘intermediate level.’

 

Class B
-Any single or multi-day backpacking or mountaineering trip requiring the use of roped or belayed travel. 
-Maximum participant: leader ratio 3:1. 
 Example trips: Glaciated peaks of the Cascades and Rocky Mountains.  All routes requiring roped travel in 
                Class C example locations.


Abstract:

Leader and participants must possess knowledge to use the equipment necessary for roped travel.  ROC Rock or 
Ice leadership certification is not necessary.  B-level mountaineering certification exists to approve leaders 
for roped rock and ice travel that may occur in adverse weather conditions across unavoidable obstacles.  
B-level trips focus on crossing the obstacle rather than testing one’s skills on a rock or ice problem.  
The B-class is ‘advanced level.’

 

Class A
-Multi-night trips that involve travel at high altitude. 
-Distance may exceed 15 miles per day and altitudes of 15,000 feet. 
-Maximum leader-participant ratio of 3:1. 
 Example trips: Highest peaks of Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and South America.  High peaks worldwide.
 

Abstract:

Trips at high altitudes must be multi-night to allow time for acclimation.  A-level classification is imposed 
on trips going high because of the huge effect altitude has on safety and comfort.  Sleep, eating, hydration, 
energy level, judgment, and healing of injuries are affected.  Altitude-induced health conditions can be very 
severe and may be difficult to recognize.  This alone distinguishes an A-level trip from a B-level trip.  
A-leaders must have Class B certification.  The A-class is ‘advanced level.’

 

 
CLASSIFICATION OF LEADERS
 

Class D
May lead class D trips only.

Must demonstrate knowledge of:

-Proper clothing and equipment: Layering. Appropriate use of cotton. Sun protection.  Footwear. 
 Wind and water shell clothing.  Extra layers packed to stay dry. 
-Backpack adjustment and repair: Sizing. Harness adjustment. Proper pack mass distribution for hiking on flat 
 and on steep terrain. 
-Navigation by map and compass, knowledge of terrain that may be encountered and how to prepare for it. 
-Use of common camp stoves: Fuels used. Priming stoves.  Stove repair. Cooking in windy conditions.  
 How to cook.  Food to pack. 
-Use of common styles of tents: proper location for water drainage.  Use of rain fly when necessary 
-Trail etiquette: Yield to those descending.  Stay on trail.  Collect litter. 
-Backcountry rules and regulations:  Current policy in Adirondack Park and other frequently visited locations. 
-Awareness and prediction of changing weather conditions. 
-Water treatment and purification:  Safe sources. Tablets. Boiling. 
-Wilderness first aid and long-term first aid care. 
-Leadership techniques for groups.
 

 
Class C
May lead class C and D trips only.

Must demonstrate knowledge required for Class D leadership, and:

-Clothing and packing methods for wet weather:  Choice of clothing and extra layers for wet conditions. 
-Clothing for severe cold and windy conditions: balaclava, goggles. 
-How to keep clothing and equipment dry over the course of a multi-day trip in rain or snow:  Keeping camp dry.  
 Drying wet clothing.  
-Camping on snow:  Locating and anchoring tents.  Cooking on snow.  Emergency snow shelters.  Dealing with 
 frozen boots, packs, tents, and other equipment. 
-Use of snowshoes, ice axes, and trekking crampons for winter hiking. 
-Knowledge of ice and rock fall and avalanche risks and conditions. 
-Winter water sources:  Melting snow and ice.  Keeping drinking water liquid (in jacket or pack). 
-Mountain rescue and evacuation procedures. 
-Symptoms and treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness. 
-Camping above tree line:  Shelter from lightning, wind. 
-Experience of multi-day backpacking in adverse weather conditions.
 

 
Class B

May lead Class B, C, and D trips only. 

Must demonstrate knowledge required for Class D and Class C leadership, and: 

-Rope team travel:  Choosing and carrying equipment. Route finding. Placing and recovering protection. 
-Basic knowledge of crevasse travel and rescue:  Identifying and crossing crevasses.  
 Rescue techniques for ice and rock. 
-Camping on steep exposed slopes. 
-Selection of qualified trip participants. 
-Experience with all required skills for roped travel and rescue, and past instruction of others.
 

            
Class A
May lead all R.O.C. mountaineering trips. 

Must demonstrate knowledge required for Class D, Class C, and Class B leadership, and of: 

-Severe high altitude health conditions; recognition, prevention, and treatment:  Cerebral and Pulmonary edema.
-Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness, prevention and treatment.
-Effect of high altitude on sleep patterns, judgment, energy level, appetite, and thirst. Respiratory and 
 cardiovascular concerns at high altitude.
-Evacuation procedures for remote, mountainous locations.
-Experience hiking above 12,000 feet required.
-Extensive experience of multi-day backpacking at altitudes above 8000 feet. 




RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR TRIP LEADERS
Leaders ensure that they and every participant are prepared and educated for and about the trip.  
Leaders also carry additional equipment for group convenience and safety.  The leaders-only equipment is 
listed here for reference when evaluating leadership bids and the lists are is not comprehensive.

 

Class D
For single-day trips in fine weather:

-Medical kit, extra food and water, extra clothing, light with spare batteries, compass, map if 
 unfamiliar with terrain.

For single-day trips in poor (wet and cool) weather:

-Also pack bivouac sack, tarpaulin, or other ultralight shelter and a ground pad.  Bring spare plastic bags 
 for use by trip members.

For overnight trips:

-Take additional warm and waterproof clothing for use by trip members.
-Spare batteries, extra lamp or light, spare matches or lighters.

 

Class C
For single-day foul-weather trips:

-Medical kit, extra food and water, extra clothing, compass, map, stove with fuel and matches or lighters, 
 lamp or light with spare batteries, ground pad, bivouac sack or light tent, light sleeping bag 
 (in cold weather), map and compass.

 
For multi-day all-weather trips:

-Medical kit suitable for trip length, extra food and water, additional extra clothing, compass, map, 
 spare matches or lighters, stove parts kit, repair kit (tape, pliers, safety pins, etc.), spare batteries, 
 spare lamp or light, map and compass.

 

Class B
For all B trips:

Leader should pack as for corresponding D- or C-level terrain and conditions,
with spare webbing, rescue knife, and expanded medical kit.

 

Class A:
For all A-level trips:
Leader should pack as for multi-day class C trips, with appropriate spare climbing equipment necessary for 
travel or rescue.  Medical supplies will be expanded for long trips at high altitude.

 

A note to ROC officers:

The executive committee may not possess equal knowledge of the skills being evaluated for leadership.  
Capability and leadership qualities are most important, and a thorough demonstration by the candidate of 
experience and familiarity with the activity should be deemed sufficient for leadership.  Prospective leaders 
must have demonstrated the required skills on prior trips in the company of others who can attest to their 
abilities during the leadership evaluation.

 

Mike Gradziel, Erin Kaufman

Winter Mountaineering Chairs. 2002