Mountaineering Committee

Upcoming Activities

Volunteer Leader Refresher Course - 2026

This invitation-only course is designed for climbing leaders and leaders-in-training seeking to refresh core leadership skills, review current practices, and strengthen judgment for safe and effective group management. The session will provide an opportunity to revisit leadership expectations, discuss field scenarios, and reinforce the standards that support consistent, responsible climbing leadership.

Climbing Anchors Course

Join us for a one-day outdoor course focused on building safe and efficient top-rope anchors for rock climbing. This class will cover core anchor-building principles, essential equipment, basic knots and hitches, anchor evaluation, rope management, and the elements of a complete top-rope system. The course will also include discussion of climbing ethics, Leave No Trace practices, and land access considerations. This is a small-group instructional program intended for climbers looking to build confidence and good habits in outdoor anchor systems.

Intermediate Rock Climbing Class: Weekend 1 of 2

This first weekend of our Intermediate Climbing Class will focus on the essential skills needed to second a leader on a multi-pitch climb. Instruction will cover safety systems, climbing etiquette, the overall flow of a multi-pitch route, belaying a leader, following and cleaning gear, anchor transfers, belay station management, rope handling, and the teamwork required for efficient movement on longer climbs.

AMC 150 Farley Ledges Rock Climbing Day

Join us at Farley Ledges for an evening of cragging in celebration of AMC's 150^th Anniversary Outdoor Relay! We'll climb classic Western MA rock, tell tall tales that get 5.10 every time they're retold, and add our vertical contribution to the AMC 150 relay route. Newer outdoor climbers (with some gym or outdoor experience) and seasoned rope guns are all welcome. Refer to the registration page for more information.

Intermediate Rock Climbing Class: Weekend 2 of 2

This is the second weekend of our Intermediate Rock Climbing Course. Weekend 2 will put the skills from the first session into practice on multi-pitch climbs in the Gunks. Participants will reinforce the core systems of seconding a leader, including belaying, following and cleaning gear, anchor transfers, belay station management, rope handling, rappelling, and efficient movement as a team on longer routes.

Basic Self Rescue: Schistmas in July

This two-day course is designed for trad and sport climbers who want to build practical self-rescue skills for real problems that can arise on a climb. Through hands-on instruction and practice, participants will work on ascending a rope, escaping the belay, improvised rappelling methods, and other techniques that can help a leader or second respond effectively when plans go wrong. The course will also cover gear removal, and rope management.