Rock Climbing Honor - Advanced

Recreational Activities

Requirements

1. Have the Rock Climbing and First Aid - Basic Honors.

   Answer: You must have previously completed the AR-034 (Basic Rock Climbing) and CS-001 (Basic First Aid) Honors as prerequisites. Present the sash with the two badges sewn on, or the official documents from the director confirming the prior completion of the two required Honors. — Advanced climbing requires technique + emergencies. The basic one teaches knots, equipment, climbing technique; first aid teaches how to deal with fractures, bleeding, and cardiac arrest in an isolated environment. Without these foundations, the Pathfinder is not equipped to do a 5.6-level climb with real safety.

2. Make a report based on personal research about the use of at least six pieces of equipment used in climbing. Cite the pros, cons, and how to use them.

   Answer: You research 6 pieces of equipment: 1) Harness (supports weight in a fall; can pinch the legs; worn through the legs); 2) Helmet (protects from impacts; muffles hearing); 3) Carabiner (connects ropes; can break under overload); 4) Rope (supports weight; weighs a lot); 5) Belay device (controls descent; learned through practice); 6) Climbing shoe (grip; pinches the toes). — UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) equipment has rigorous certification. Aluminum carabiners withstand up to 24kN (~2,400 kg). Petzl helmets reduce cranial impact by 75%. Climbing shoes compress the toes for millimeter precision on holds — climbers take them off to rest.

3. Do a climb of 5.6 difficulty level. During it, demonstrate skill in free-climbing maneuvers.

   Answer: You climb a 5.6-level route (beginner-intermediate on the YDS scale): a route with 3-4 large holds, medium distance between them, some vertical sections. Demonstrate free technique: 3 points of contact, weight transfer, use of small holds, balance, resting in stable positions, and reading the route before starting. — The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) scale used in the USA: 5.0-5.5 easy, 5.6-5.9 intermediate, 5.10-5.12 difficult, 5.13-5.15 extreme. Free climbing = without artificial aid, only the body + safety. Reading the route beforehand saves energy. Feet are primary — 70% of the weight goes to the feet, not the hands.

4. During a climb, provide belay support for the instructor or lead climber. Successfully hold the instructor during a simulated fall.

   Answer: You act as the 'belayer' (safety on the ground): use a belay device (ATC, GriGri, or figure-8), pass the rope correctly, maintain a firm position with legs apart, and watch the instructor at all times. In a fall, brake immediately by bringing your dominant hand to the side of your hip — it locks the rope against the device and holds the climber's weight. — Belaying is one of the most critical functions in climbing — lives depend on it. The GriGri (Petzl) has spring-assisted braking (ideal for beginners); the ATC (Black Diamond) is manual. The correct position prevents being pulled toward the wall. Verbal commands ('climbing', 'ready', 'falling') standardize communication during the climb.

5. During a climb, place the bolts firmly and properly. Take part in a debate on ethics in bolt placement so as not to break the rock, preserve nature, etc.

   Answer: You place bolts (hangers) with a torque wrench at 25-30 N·m, in sound rock (not fractured), with 2-3 meters between them. Take part in the ethical debate: prefer clean climbing with removable protection; only place permanent fixtures on very difficult or popular routes; avoid routes in protected areas/parks without authorization; minimize visual impact. — Modern sport climbing is divided between 'clean' (leaving no marks) and 'sport' (with fixed bolts). Studies show that 1 poorly placed bolt can break off a flake of rock in 5 years due to acid rain and ice. Brazil has rules from the CBME (Brazilian Confederation of Mountaineering and Climbing) — authorization is needed in federal parks.

6. Lead a climb of 5.5 difficulty level.

   Answer: You lead a 5.5 route (beginner-intermediate): climb first carrying the rope, clip in at each protection point (carabiner on the hanger), tell the belayer when you reach the top ('safe'), make an anchor at the top, and give the command for the second climber to come up. Demonstrate route-reading, safety, and communication technique throughout the entire route. — Lead climbing is the 'real' way to climb — without a rope hanging from above, you climb placing protection. Riskier than top-rope (hanging rope). Level 5.5 is considered introductory to lead climbing. A lead fall can be up to 4-6m before the rope stretches — feeling the belayer's rope is crucial.

7. Take part in a free climb of at least A2 difficulty level.

   Answer: You take part in an A2-level climb (aid-climbing scale — intermediate artificial climbing): a route with removable protection (cams, nuts, hooks) that supports the climber's weight, without any permanent equipment on the rock. Demonstrate the technique of placing protection in cracks, transferring weight, and setting up fabric steps (etrier). — The A0-A5 scale measures aid-climbing difficulty: A0 is ready-placed bolts, A2 requires placing protection in obvious cracks, A5 can only use micro-gear and marginal protection. A famous A5 route: 'Cosmos' on El Capitan (Yosemite), requires 6+ days to climb. A2 is the 'apprentice' level of aid climbing.

8. Put together a plan for the rescue and removal of an injured climber.

   Answer: You plan: 1) Assess the situation (life vs injury); 2) Stabilize the victim (basic first aid); 3) Call for rescue (190 or the Fire Department); 4) Maintain visual contact and communication; 5) Prepare an assisted descent (rope, improvised stretcher, transport); 6) Document the injuries. — Time is critical in mountaineering: hypothermia kills in hours. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) uses Black Hawks for remote rescues. In national parks, the SAR (Search and Rescue) team arrives in 30-60 min if the request comes with GPS coordinates. An improvised stretcher with 2 ropes and a blanket can save lives in places without vehicle access.

9. Take part in a two-pitch climb of 5.4 difficulty level. Lead one of the pitches.

   Answer: You climb a route divided into 2 pitches (multi-pitch). On pitch 1, belay while the leader climbs. On pitch 2, lead it yourself: climb first with the rope, clip in at each protection point, make an anchor at the top of the pitch, bring up the second climber. Clear communication and division of responsibilities — one of the hallmarks of real multi-pitch climbing. — Multi-pitch is the 'real' form of long climbing — walls over 30m are divided into pitches. Each pitch has an anchor at the end to 'stop' the rope and switch leaders. Cooperation and rhythm are more important than speed. A famous multi-pitch route: 'The Nose' (El Capitan, 31 pitches, 900m).