Our recent spring open enrollment offering of RfR Specialty Techniques included a diverse group of practitioners. We had folks from mountain rescue teams, special operations community members, and even a participant from the Danish navy.
Topics and techniques explored included:
- a detailed discussion of artificial high directionals including the construction and use of a Sideways A-Frame bipod
- a mid-face litter pickoff
- the Kootenay Highline System in a spectacular location across the Ouray Ice Park gorge
- the San Juan Pickoff along with multi-pitch transitions
- and much more
Kootenay Highline System 
Mid-face litter pickoff 
Station management at a hanging belay 
Multi-pitch transition using the San Juan Pickoff 
Sideways A-Frame
The last exercise was particularly challenging as it included a hanging belay transition – similar to what you would find in a big wall setting. When you cannot unweight the system via a stance, all of the tension transfer tools in your toolbox need to be well applied and carefully considered. In a hanging belay, it is very “self critiquing” when you don’t get the steps just right.
