Aspirant Skills Checklist

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Original document from the ACA's resource page.

OBJECTIVE: Through training and mentoring, increase of technical personal skill sets and expanded situational awareness and to introduce group leadership roles, associated technical skills and instructional techniques.

NOTE: Skills Checklists are cumulative in nature. Students must know all the skills from the 'Core' Checklist in addition to the skills listed here.

• Read contour lines on a topographic map; identify terrain features (hills, saddles, ridges, drainages), determine relative steepness of grade, identify potential high ground and canyon escape routes.
• Identify relative size of a canyon watershed using topo map.
• Orient a map with compass and terrain.
• Use GPS to determine grid coordinates, mark waypoints and go to waypoints.
• Plot grid coordinates on a topographic map.
• Prepare and use a canyon topo.

• Tie and inspect; Frost knot in webbing.
• Tie and inspect; Ladder with webbing.
• Tie and inspect; Bowline with Yosemite finish.
• Tie and inspect Inline knots; (i.e. Alpine butterfly, Directional Figure Eight).
• Tie and inspect; (a) Munter hitch, (b) Mule hitch or two half hitches.
• Tie and inspect; (a) Klemheist, (b) Asymmetric Prusik (with a VT Prusik or equivalent).

• Understand and apply good principles of anchor location; DEAR (Dry, Efficient, Accessible, Rope Retrieval).
• Understand and apply good principles of anchor identification, construction, friction, and testing.
• Identify, Evaluate, and rig single-point natural anchor (i.e. tree, boulder, arch,) a). using a cinching wrap - wrap 3 pull 2, b). redundant wrap (i.e. Basket with overhand knot at focal point) Explain the pros and cons and demonstrate how to safely test single point anchors.
• Identify, construct, rig, and evaluate/test multi-point natural anchors using EARNEST.
• Rope Retrieval: Mitigate standard rope retrieval challenges with "courtesy loop".
• Rope Retrieval: Anchor a partially retrieved rope (pull side).
• Rope Retrieval: Ascend a partially retrieved rope (rappel side).

• Set up and use releasable single rope system (contingency), including three parts: (1) friction mechanism to allow controlled lowering, (2) tie-off that is releasable under tension, and (3) identifying risks and setting safety to mitigate those risks.
• Set up and use blocked rope systems (carabiner blocks) for rappel. Explain the pros and hazards of using blocks and steps that should be taken to avoid accidents.
• Set up and use double rope system (Toss ’n Go) for rappel. Explain the pros and cons of double rope systems (Toss ’n Go).
• Describe methods for safely setting initial rope lengths for wet and dry landings i.e. estimating height, rigging releasable, lowering first person, above water level.
• Demonstrate how to safely and efficiently reset / adjust rope length.
• Identify and demonstrate how to change abrasion points as needed to protect rope/webbing from abrasion and soft rock from rope grooves/damage.
• Set up and use Static Courtesy Rigging to facilitate trouble-free rope retrieval. Explain purpose, proper usage, and application.
• Set up and use a safety line to protect a traverse.

• Set up and use a Self belay using alternate methods / techniques (auto-block). Understand and explain the pros and cons of using a self-belay.
• Belay a climber; climbing down, a.) using rope from human anchor (hip belay) 10ft or less, b.) using rope from fixed anchor.

• Understand and use proper whistle signals. https://www.canyoneering.net/docs/signals.pdf
• Use Radios to communicate verbal commands for belaying, rappelling.

• Ascend a fixed rope using friction hitches; single strand, double strand.
• Ascend a fixed rope using mechanical ascenders; single strand.
• Transition from rappel to ascend and from ascend to rappel.
• Pass a knot while rappelling. Pass a knot while ascending.
• Demonstrate rappelling on a Guided Rappel (set up by a competent person). Explain safety concerns and mitigation.
• Safely lower an incapacitated rappeller via Bottom Belay.
• Rappel with pack securely hanging from harness.
• Demonstrate safe rappel start off of extended courtesy rigging.
• Safely and effectively zip line gear over/around obstacle. Describe scenarios for usage.
• Shift rappeller from rappel line to top rope belay line.
• Release contingency block and lower a person, using hands free backup (i.e. friction hitch attached to the anchor or to the harness of the person in control of lowering; avoiding rope grooves in soft rock)
• Perform controlled rappel up to 200'+ adding friction mid-rappel; communication - whistles or radios; hanging packs.

• Identify and assess flash flood risks associated with a selected canyon.
• Perform initial gear-up 'Buddy Checks' (Safety check) and at 'Buddy Checks' every rappel.
• Canyon Basic First Aid / CPR: a) Stabilize injury / Treat for Shock; b) Go for help; c) Basic injury management.

• Swim 50 yards with gear, without floatation.
• Jumping into water (Max distance 8ft./8ft. Min depth) identify hazards/depth check, correct body position.
• Describe and safely demonstrate basic Waterfall Rappelling Techniques.
• Describe basic waterfall/stream hazards such as foot entrapments, strainers, siphons, undercuts, recirculating currents, rope entanglement and appropriate methods for mitigating / dealing with them.

Recommendations After Training

• Practice technical skills in low-risk conditions, such as on clean and low angle "slab" type environments or on vertical terrain with an effective Top or Bottom (Fireman’s) Belay.
• Increase technical skill sets, expand situational awareness, and begin introduction to Canyoneering Leadership all through skill practice sessions, workshops, and mentored canyoneering opportunities.

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