Climb Planning Begins for Montana﻿

Climb Planning Begins for Montana

3/11/2016

One of the toughest and most exciting peaks in the USAF 50 Summits Challenge is in the planning stages. Early August is the current target for this technical peak. We want you to join fellow Airmen in this challenging event. If you're in shape, we can teach you the skills needed to safely tackle such a peak. Contact us to learn more! And follow via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/462653120592220/

3 Comments

CMSgt Dean Werner

3/11/2016 08:16:30 am

We're in the planning stages for this climb and we will provide continual updates for the climb through this blog and at the FB event for this climb.

This will be a climb with "technical" aspects involved. But, please don't believe you can't do this climb if you have no technical climbing experience. Part of what is intended with the USAF 50 Summits Challenge is to push yourself beyond your existing boundaries. We will have 2 very experienced climbers on this climb who will be eager to assist everyone no matter their level of climbing experience. But, there will be a requirement to possess a very high level of fitness and the gear necessary to make your climb successful. We can improve your technical level of climbing during the climb but we cannot provide you the fitness you'll definitely need for this climb. You must prepare yourself prior to the climb. In subsequent entries here, I'll provide suggested means to improve your fitness level specifically for this climb. Also, there will be an extensive listing of required equipment. The listing I will post here is a complete listing for the most part. The listing does not include ropes but depending on how many participants we will have, you shouldn't have to purchase a rope since we will have enough for the climb. We'll continually coordinate and communicate on equipment as we get closer to the climb.

My cell# is (218) 310-7117 and my email is [email protected] Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.

Here is the list of equipment you must consider:

Granite Peak Gear List:
Strong 3-season or 4-season tent.
Small tarp or footprint for under tent
Warm sleeping bag rated 0- 20F
Pillowcase for stuffing with clothes for a pillow
Sleeping Mat
Hiking/Backpacking Boots
Climbing helmet
Climbing harness
(2) Petzl Tibloc’s
(4) Locking Carabiners
(1) HMS Carabiner
(1) Rappel/belay device (Mammut Smart)
(2) 36 inch 6mm accessory cords
2 pair socks
1 pair liner socks
Large backpack (60 liter +)
Backpack rain cover
Trekking poles
1 Water filter for every 3 people
(3) Water bottles or 1 water bottle and a camelback
Water flavoring powder if desired (Gatorade)
Freeze-dried food for 5 days & snacks
Micro-stove / 1 for each 2 people / 1 fuel canister each
(1) Cookpot
(1) spork
(1) bowl
Small bottle of biodegradable camp soap
Hand sanitizer
Wet-wipes / hygiene wipes
Paper towels or napkins for utensil cleanup
1 roll toilet paper
Chapstick
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Band-aids
Moleskin
Advil etc
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Sunglasses
Warm hat
Baseball cap
Headlamp / batteries
Lighter/matches
Rain/wind jacket
Layering top clothes
Layering bottom clothes to include soft-shell pants
Expect temps 25-70F
(1) pair med warmth gloves
(1) pair light gloves
Camera
1 bearspray for each 4 people

AF & AFSC flag
Exceptional fitness
22 Push-ups will be accomplished on the summit
Meet in Columbus MT at 0630 on 4 Aug at Super 8 main entrance

Dean Werner

3/15/2016 03:44:25 pm

Updated Gear List. Minor Changes adding a personal anchor system and guy lines on the tent for wind.

Granite Peak Gear List:
Strong 3-season or 4-season tent with 6’ guy lines for wind.
Small tarp or footprint for under tent
Warm sleeping bag rated 0- 20F
Pillowcase for stuffing with clothes for a pillow
Sleeping Mat
Hiking/Backpacking Boots
Climbing helmet
Climbing harness
(2) Petzl Tibloc’s
(4) Locking Carabiners
(1) HMS Carabiner
(1) Rappel/belay device (Mammut Smart)
(2) 36 inch 6mm accessory cords
(1) Personal Anchor System (Metolius Personal Anchor System)
2 pair socks
1 pair liner socks
Large backpack (60 liter +)
Backpack rain cover
Trekking poles
1 Water filter for every 3 people
(3) Water bottles or 1 water bottle and a camelback
Water flavoring powder if desired (Gatorade)
Freeze-dried food for 5 days & snacks
Micro-stove / 1 for each 2 people / 1 fuel canister each
(1) Cookpot
(1) spork
(1) bowl
Small bottle of biodegradable camp soap
Hand sanitizer
Wet-wipes / hygiene wipes
Paper towels or napkins for utensil cleanup
1 roll toilet paper
Chapstick
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Band-aids
Moleskin
Advil etc
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Deodorant
Sunglasses
Warm hat
Baseball cap
Headlamp / batteries
Lighter/matches
Rain/wind jacket
Layering top clothes
Layering bottom clothes to include soft-shell pants
Expect temps 25-70F
(1) pair med warmth gloves
(1) pair light gloves
Camera
1 bearspray for each 4 people

AF & AFSC flag
Exceptional fitness
22 Push-ups will be accomplished on the summit
Meet in Columbus MT at 0630 on 4 Aug at Super 8 main entrance

Dean Werner

3/13/2016 01:51:35 pm

As you hopefully have realized, this will not be an average hike. It will be extremely challenging and why we will need our team members to have a very high level of fitness. We as team leaders talked about what will be required and as a means of measure, we will require the ability for you to have a 1.5 mile run time of 11 minutes or faster and a PT assessment score of 90 or higher. This mountain is no joke and exceptional fitness will decrease the overall risk of injury and ensure success for the team.
The climb is just 4 1/2 months out and those months will pass by quick. "The more you bleed during peace, the less you'll bleed during war." FIT TO FIGHT!

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