Tech Climbing

Narragansett Chapter Rock and Ice Climbing

Ken Hamel & Joe Vaglino, Climbing co-Subchairs

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General Information

Local Climbing

Climbing in "Little Rhody" means climbing on diminutive cliffs or pebble wrestling on boulders. In the climbing community the State is only known for bouldering, primarily in Lincoln Woods. There is a joke among locals that the best Rhode Island climbing areas just happen to be in Connecticut. So almost all the local climbing is in nearby Connecticut. The two main climbing areas for Rhode Islanders are Ross Rocks, which is four miles from the RI border, and Lantern Hill which is eight miles from the border. Considering that Rhode Island is only 35 miles wide these areas are closer to Rhode Island than much of Connecticut. Local climbing is all ad-hoc meetings of climbers, both AMC members and non-members, that are arranged through the ClimbRI Email Group. There are 274 active climbers on the email group so you can almost always find someone available to go climbing outside or at a local rock gym.

Trips

The Climbing subcommittee has a rock climbing trip every month June through October. We also plan two ice climbing trips in the winter. Anyone is welcome to join in but there are requisites such as owning your own equipment and being able to climb at a certain level appropriate for the location. If we have to limit the number of climbers due to the leader to second ratio we give priority is given to Narragansett Chapter members, AMC members, then non-members. Priority is given to graduates of our Spring rock climbing classes for the June Gunks trip. For more information and an events calendar see our Events Listing.

Instruction

Rock climbing instruction is offered in a beginner and intermediate course each spring. We will sometimes offer lead climbing mentoring or workshops on self-rescue and sport climbing if there is a demand and available instructors. Ice climbing instruction is offered in February to climbers experienced in rock climbing belaying and technique. All course participants must be at least 18-years old or 15-years old if accompanied by a parent/guardian and will be required to sign this Acknowledgement of Risks, Assumption of Risks, and Release Agreement for AMC Volunteer-Led Activities. Anyone wishing to participate in the classes must contact the class leaders in advance to register. These classes fill up quickly so it is recommended that you apply early. For more detailed information see our Climbing Instruction Page.

Qualifications of the Climbing Leaders

Climbing leaders of the Technical Climbing Sub-Committee shall meet and maintain the following criteria:

Climbing leaders must be at least eighteen years old.
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:

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.
Climbing leaders must demonstrate good judgment in responding to changing climbing conditions.
Climbing leaders will be certified for ice and rock climbing separately.

Full qualifications and definitions are here.

Qualifications of the Activity Leaders

Activity Leaders of the Technical Climbing Sub-Committee shall meet and maintain the following criteria:

Activity Leaders must be members in good standing of the Narragansett Chapter.
Activity Leaders must be at least eighteen years old.

The overall AMC Leadership Requirements and Guidelines will apply to all our leaders.
Full qualifications and definitions are here.