Montreat College

PE 220: Rock Climbing (1 credit)

Fall 2016
Meeting Times: 1:00 p.m. 10 p.m. on Wed August 24 Oct. 5
________________________________________________________________________
Montreat College Mission
Christ-centered, Student-focused, Service-driven:
Equipping agents of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation.
________________________________________________________________________
Instructor: Mark Mullert
Office: Basement of Gym
Office Hours: Please see posted
Phone: (o)828-669-8012 x3412 (c) 254-709-2253 (before 9 p.m. and when urgent)
Email: mmullert14@montreat.edu

Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to rock climbing and rappelling using
accepted standards of safety. Students will be encouraged to view rock climbing as team
activity and to develop a sense of concern for personal rejuvenation, safety and sound
judgment. Emphasis will be placed on safety, skill development, and FUN!

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Correctly use common rock climbing equipment including ropes, harnesses, helmets, and
carabiners. MCEO 3 [5 of OE majors]
2. Follow accepted safety standards including belay techniques, helmet zones, use of safety
equipment, and proper communication. MCEO2, 3, 6, 5 for OE Majors
3. Rappel a single pitch with appropriate backup/belay. MCEO 3 [5 for OE Majors]
4. Climb easy to moderate routes using appropriate climbing techniques and form. MCEO 3
[5 for OE
Majors ]
5. Reflect on climbing as it relates to community building, deepening ones relationship with
God, personal rejuvenation and defining personal limits. MCEO 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 5 for OE
Majors]
6. Use appropriate stewardship techniques to take care of the natural environment. MCEO
1, 3, 6, 7 [5 for
OE Majors]
7. Articulate the role rock climbing will play as a future means of recreation and
rejuvenation. I, 2, 3, 6 [5 for OE Majors]
8. Accurately assess current ability, knowledge, and judgment. MCEO2, 3, 6, [5 for OE
Majors]

Course Content
Climbing/Rappelling techniques Safety concepts and techniques
Belaying Knots
Single Pitch Top-Rope Climbing Personal reflection and
Equipment Care community building
Course Dates (All Locations or subject to change due to weather or other circumstances)

8/24 1:00 4:00 Introductory meeting- goals, get to know you, add on bouldering
8/31 1:00 - 6:00 Introduction to climbing, equipment, and movement: Meet at Davis
Bouldering Cave: We will take a van to either the BMC or Camp
Merri-Mac
9/7 1:00 - 9:00 Snakes Den
9/14 1:00 - 9:00 Little Lost Cove
9/21 1:00 - 9:00 Rumbling Bald
9/23-9/24 Overnight Climbing Trip at Table Rock- Leave Friday @ 1PM
10/5 1:00 - 4:00 Final Written Exam and Skills test

Important note: Schedule may change due to weather conditions. We will try to adhere to
the above schedule, but it is tentative. Be prepared for changes as necessary, but plan to be
on time no matter the weather We will make changes as a group at the designated meeting
time Return times are estimates only. It is typical that we return pretty late so plan your schedules as if
your whole Wednesday night is unavailable.

Course Expectations and Resources

1. Risk and Medical Form: Each student is required to sign the departments
acknowledgement and assumption of risk form and have a complete medical history
and insurance form on file with the campus nurse before participating in the class. The
choice to complete these forms is voluntary.
2. Attendance: Due to the interactive and participatory nature of this course, attendance
at each class session is mandatory. Your presence in class is important to us.
Students are required to attend all regular classes. Therefore, no absences are allowed.
Students final grade will be reduced by 10% for each absence. These requirements are
provided to maximize your learning and to contribute to a safer environment. If you
have circumstances that prevent you from attending a class session, be sure to contact
the instructor.
3. Tardiness: We plan to utilize all of the time allotted for our class. Please arrive on time
or a little early to assist with moving gear and preparing for the days class.
4. Personal and Academic Conduct Students must demonstrate courteous and Christ-
like behavior towards other members of the including not talking inappropriately during
class. Cell phones will be put in a basket at the start of class. Academic dishonesty, such as
cheating on tests and plagiarizing essays, violates the fundamental trust underlying all
academic work: that the work be the product of the student who submitted it. Montreat
College defines academic dishonesty as the representation of anothers words, ideas, or
images as ones own. It applies equally to intentional and unintentional quotations,
paraphrases, visual images, auditory images, and all electronic means of storage and
communication. When professors suspect students of academic dishonesty, they will
confront the students with their charges in writing. The only possible disciplinarian actions
are, (1) a zero for the assignment, or (2) an F for the course. Students may choose to
admit their guilt of Academic Dishonesty and waive a hearing. For more information see
website at: http://www.montreat.edu/aa/integrity.htm
 **All typed assignments must have the following:
On my honor as a Montreat student, I certify that this assignment is my own work, except where I
have acknowledged the use of the works of others. Signature _____________ Date
_____________
5. Students with disabilities Students with disabilities who may need academic
accommodations are asked to speak with the professor within the first two weeks of class.
Students are also responsible for making sure that proper documentation of the disability is
on file with Holleigh Woodward, the college disability services coordinator. Holleigh
Woodwards office is located in the Health and Counseling Center in the lower level of Bell
Library. She may be reached by phone at extension 3538, or by email at
hwoodward14@montreat.edu. Failure to inform the professor of a disability or provide
appropriate documentation to Ms. Carter may compromise our ability to provide the
accommodations needed in a timely manner. For more information about Montreat College
disability services, see: http://www.montreat.edu/academics/academic-support-
services/disability-services/

6. The Writing Center is located on the main floor of the L. Nelson Bell Library in LIB
105. The Center is open Sunday through Thursday between 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. An
appointment is not necessary. Please come and use this free resource available to Montreat
students--we are eager to help you improve your writing. In addition, please note that an
excellent internet resource is available to you at all times: Purdue Universitys OWL (Online
Writing Lab). This searchable site provides an always on and authoritative resource for
composition, grammar, and citation. There are specific sections on both MLA and APA
citation. The address is http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
<https://e3kmail.montreat.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://owl.english.purdue.ed
u/>

Quality of Work and Submission Deadlines:

1. When evaluating your written work, I will look for quality, clarity, completeness and
professionalism. Your grade will be reduced by 10% for each day a submission is
late. Please note that all assignments must be typed and double-spaced in 12-
point font, Times New Roman.
2. Attendance: The skills in this course are learned only through participation, so
make-up work is not possible. Therefore, attendance is mandatory and unexcused
absences cannot be permitted. Students will be dropped a letter grade on their final
grade for every class missed without following the procedures outlined below for
absences to be excused. the following conditions must be met:
a. On the day of the class that will be missed the student must call me before
1:00 p.m. and leave a voice mail on my phone at: 254-709-2253.
b. I must also receive a note in my email mmullert14@montreat.edu or by voice
mail from Nurse Grace, on the same date, and before 1:00 p m. stating that
your illness is making you unable to attend class.
3. Preparation Grade Component: In an effort to provide safe consequences, you
will be penalized 5 points for each trip in which you show up unprepared. Being
prepared according to the guidelines of this portion of your grade means bringing
everything on the required gear list below and being on time, packed and ready to go.
 4. Skills Acquisition & Mastery: There will be periodic performance checks to give
each student an opportunity to demonstrate basic skills and concepts. Each student
is required to be proficient at correctly tying into a harness using the figure 8 follow
through, attaching to an anchor with the figure 8 on a bight or clove hitch, proper
use of carabiners, and proper belay techniques. Grading standards will be provided in
class.
5. Effort and Community Building:
a. Students will be evaluated on the level of effort they put forth. Effort does
not equal performance and grades will not be based on the level of difficulty
of climbs students are able to complete, but on how active they stay and on
the amount of improvement they achieve. Effort will be evaluated both on
climbing skills and on community components.
b. A vital part of climbing is its ability to create opportunities for true
fellowship. Students will be expected to engage each other in conversation,
getting to know each other and appropriate self-disclosure. To enhance this
objective and create deeper appreciation for the outdoors and wilderness
settings, students are required to turn off all electronic devices (or leave them
home) and to leave individual studies behind as well. Grading will be based
being engaged and present with others in the group i.e., not reading
personal books, tuning out with electronics, and/or leaving class early (stay
involved until work is done.)
c. Cell phones, radios, ipods, etc. are not permitted during class sessions
including van travel. Students are encouraged to get to know each other and
enjoy the opportunity to spend time in the outdoors.
d. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco use are not permitted during any period of the
class.
6. Final Reflection Paper- There will be a 2-3 page reflection paper for this course.
Details will be handed out in class. Due 10/12
7. Practical & Written Final Exam: 10/5

REQUIRED GEAR LIST:

Trips may occur rain or shine and weather can have a dramatic affect, not only on
your enjoyment, but also on your safety. The following clothing is mandatory for all
trips.

Warm clothes, especially in the colder months layers should be non-cotton

material
Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, No Sandals Be aware that most approaches to our
climbs can exceed a mile hike. (If you have rock shoes feel free to bring them)
Synthetic or wool top (fleece, polypro, capilene, etc.)
Lightweight Windbreaker or rain jacket
Synthetic or wool hat that will cover head and ears 1 Full quart water bottle
minimum 2 is even better
Glasses retaining strap if applicable
Mittens/gloves can be a good idea in the colder months
Day pack Each student will share in carrying equipment to the climb site.
 Head Lamp or Flashlight. We usually climb until dark and hike out by flashlight.
* Personal climbing gear may be used with evaluation from instructor.

Course Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the following:
Attendance: 20%
Preparation: 20%
Skill Acquisition & Mastery: 20%
Effort and Community Building: 20%
Final Reflection Paper: 10%
Exam: 10%