GUIDELINES FOR CLIMB LEADERS OF THE TECHNICAL CLIMBING
SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE NARRAGANSETT CHAPTER,
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB

QUALIFICATION OF CLIMBING LEADERS

• Climbing leaders of the Technical Climbing Sub-Committee shall meet and maintain the following criteria:
1. Climbing leaders must be at least eighteen years old.
2. Climbing leaders must be skill certified by one of the Co-chairs
• The overall AMC Leadership Requirements and Guidelines will apply to all our leaders.
• Prospective climb leaders may obtain leadership certification by contacting one of the Sub-Committee Co-Chairs to arrange to go climbing and be checked-out for skill/safety certification.
• Climbing leaders must meet the following skill criteria:
1. Climbing leaders must prove through demonstration and observation that they are well-versed in all of the specific skills and safety involved in top roping and multi-pitch climbing.
2. Climbing leaders must demonstrate good judgment in responding to changing climbing conditions.
3. Climbing leaders will be certified for ice and rock climbing separately.
• The Technical Climbing Sub-Chair shall maintain a current list of climb leaders who are skill certified according to the criteria above.

CLIMBING ACTIVITIES

• Climbing activities of the Technical Climbing Sub-Committee, Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club, shall be open to members of the AMC and their guests.
• A parent, guardian, or other responsible adult shall accompany activity participants under eighteen years of age unless the Activity Leader has given prior consent. The accompanying adult is responsible for the actions of the minor.

CLIMB LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

• The climb leader must make decisions regarding number of seconds, route selection, and whether to start or continue a climb based on many factors. This decision process is the climb leader's exclusively and must not be compromised by anything or anyone.
• The climb leader shall assess the ability and condition of all seconds and make route selections according to their abilities.
• The climb leader will verify that seconds have the minimum required equipment: helmet, harness, climbing shoes, three locking carabiners, two runners two feet in length, two prussik slings, cleaning tool, water, backpack, and combination or separate double rope capable belay/rappel device(s).
• The climb leader will verify that additional equipment is available as needed for specific routes.
• The climb leader will rope the party in non-fifth class terrain if fall potential exists.
• Multi-pitch climbing will not be started if heavy rain, high wind, sleet, or snow is evident or forecast.
• Climb leaders shall verify that signed copies of the Technical Climbing Release has been submitted to the Activity Leader by each second before any climbing begins.
• Climb leaders shall assist the Activity Leader in maintaining a record of activity participants including name, address, and phone number. This record shall be available during and after the activity.
• Activity Leaders are responsible for securing any required use permits for climbing activities. However, this does not relieve climb leaders from strict adherence to all regulations, permitting and fees normally due at a climbing location. Climb leaders are responsible for insuring that their seconds have obtained individual use permits where required.
• In the event of an accident, lost participant, or other incident of similar or serious nature, the climb leader shall immediately report such incident to the Activity Leader. If the Activity Leader cannot be reached, the report shall be made to the Office of the Executive Director, AMC, and the Chapter Chair. This report shall include:
1. The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the principles involved in the incident.
2. The location, time, and date of the incident.
3. A description of the incident.
4. A description of any damages.
5. If a vehicle accident, description of the vehicles involved, license plate numbers, driver license numbers, and insurance companies.
6. If medical attention is required, the name of the medical center and the name(s) of care provider(s).
• In the event of an incident as described above, or any other circumstance which could lead to litigation or inquiries by the media, the Leader shall immediately report such incident to the Activity Leader. If the Activity Leader cannot be reached, the report shall be made to the Office of The Executive Director, AMC, and the Chapter Chair. The Leader shall refer any inquiries to the Executive Director and the Chapter Chair for official statements.
• The climb leader is not expected to be experienced in dealing with the legal and emotional issues surrounding an incident as described above. For this reason, it is prudent for the climb leader to avoid giving unnecessary statements at the scene of the incident and to limit such statements to those requested by proper authority.