Training

Training is an important function of the Vertical Section. We currently provide two avenues for this function: Vertical Techniques Workshop (a 4-hour workshop held annually at the NSS Convention) Vertical Training Programs (class training materials for organizations to train their members) Details of these offerings are as follows: Vertical Techniques Workshop This 4-hour workshop is conducted at every NSS Convention. The students are given a basic overview of climbing equipment, techniques, and safety considerations for American-style Single Rope Techniques. They experience hands-on sessions on knot tying, belaying, rappelling, and several ascending systems ... the Gibbs and Mitchell ropewalkers, the Frog, and Prusik knot systems. The workshop is conducted by experienced instructors of the Vertical Section. While not an alternative to a thorough training course, this intense workshop will give the novice climber a good exposure to different systems. The student can try different systems in a controlled environment, with ample opportunities to ask questions of the instructors, while actually performing the different techniques. Click here to see photos of a previous Workshop The Vertical Techniques Workshop can only accommodate a limited number of students each year, so a low ratio of students-to-instructors can be maintained. Cost and availability for the Workshop is available from the Convention Registration staff prior to each NSS Convention. Registrations are generally sold out during the pre-registration period, so don't wait until your arrival at the Convention to register. Questions about how the Workshop is conducted may be directed to the Vertical Techniques Workshop Coordinator, Terry Clark, via E-mail at terjen@evansville.net. Please direct requests for attendance at the Workshop to the NSS Convention Registration Committee. Their address is located on each year's NSS Convention Web Page. Return to the Top of the Page     Vertical Training Programs Questions about the Section's Training materials may be directed to the Education Coordinator, Bruce Smith, via E-mail at bruce@onrope1.com. The NSS Vertical Section has created a BASIC VERTICAL TRAINING course for grottos and similar agencies to use to teach a standardized curriculum. The course covers the minimum skills a student needs to know to be "vertically trained". The class is laid out to be taught in either one intensive weekend or over several, more leisurely, weekends. This course is NOT designed to "teach yourself to climb". Attempting to learn ropework from a book is foolhardy and will most likely result in your death. Such skills, just like scuba diving and skydiving, require hands-on training from a competent instructor. This course is designed to aid such instructors, by providing a unified outline of skills to be covered and training materials to aid in that task. Return to the Top of the Page Copyright © 1999, 2007 Vertical Section of the NSS, Inc. All Rights Reserved Page Last Updated on Oct. 22, 2007