NCRC weeklong 2007

[Stridergdm]

<hat on again>

Thanks for posting that. I should have included that last night.

One note though, we may make some minor tweaks to the tests.

If anything they'll get easier to pass. HOWEVER, be ready to be tested on any of the items there.

And really focus on avoiding the mistakes that will get you a 0. If you climb great, but leave your helmet on the ground... you will fail. If you climb really slowly, inefficiently, but are safe, you'll pass. Overall, do not rush it.

(and yes, we've had one student put their helmet on backwards!)

</hat off>

Congrats on making Level 3. Rod and Beck are some great instructors. (Ok, there's a LOT of great instructors there.

I've taken Level 3 twice and had a blast both times.

I'm probably going to be going through at least part of Level 3 again this year, so I'll see you there.

(My current plan is to be there in time to help Beck on Friday night with the vertical training. She thinks I'm being helpful! I think it's just any chance to hang around on a rope!)

[Stridergdm]

Hey,

Trying to find out who is headed down to weeklong from either the Albany area or NYC area.

There's at least two of us heading down from Albany that plan on carpooling.

And we've got a friend in NYC looking for a ride. We'll either arrange to pick him up or find a ride for him.

If you're interested in carpooling, let me know.

(note, I need/want to be in Salem by dinner time Friday.)

Thanks.

[NZcaver]

MAY 5 DEADLINE APPROACHING - REGISTER NOW!

Hurry and register now if you wish to attend the NCRC weeklong seminar in Virginia from June 16-23. (And why wouldn't you?)

You have only 5 days left to register and save yourself money! You may still register up until June 7, but it will cost you more.

Information and registration form available by clicking here.

[kmstill]

just sent in my level 2 application. see y'all there
kelly

[Carl Amundson]

Hi Folks,

It's about 4 weeks away from the NCRC weeklong.
Any idea when we will receive our info packets?

[Stridergdm]

Within the next four weeks.

Ok, I know that's not very helpful.

Here's the deal, the Ed Committee just finished up with the latest round of curriculum changes (mostly minor details, but I would suggest brushing up on how to do a build a litter from a 100' chunk of rope if you're in level 1. )

Seriously... we met Sunday night (ah the wonders of telephones). The changes are being passed to the Board of Regional Coordinators this week. Once a few details are confirmed, the packages will be finished and sent out shortly. I can't say for when exactly, but I would guess you'll have it by the end of May.

Besides general business stuff (where to go, what to bring) the important stuff will be what skills to try to make sure you have in hand before you show up.

Level 2s and Level 3s both have check-in skills based on what you learned in your previous level. If you fail to complete them, you'll be offered the option of dropping back a level.

Level 1s will be tested on basic knots and SRT skills. Generally the criteria for Level 1s will be easier. (I honestly don't expect any Level 1s to have real issues.)

And there will be an SRT workshop (and most likely a knot tying workshop) Friday night for those who want to review or fine-tune (or worse case, learn.) This is first come/first serve basis.

Hope that answers your question.

[Carl Amundson]

Will the skills test for level 3 mirror that is currently posted on the NCRC webpage?

[Stridergdm]

TBD.

There's a lot of discussion right now between the Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC) and the Educational Committee (EC).

Should know for sure by the end of this week what is decided.

In the meantime, only advice I can give anyone is... review what's on the webpage for now, and just make sure your general skills are in order.

Typically from what I've seen/heard folks who do almost any real prep will be fine. It's the folks who haven't touched a rope since their last NCRC and expect to show up on day one and remember it all that are in the worst shape.

So simply by reviewing notes from your last class and what's on the web page, you should be fine. There won't be any real surprises either way.

But like I say, by this weekend I think there will be something "official" out there.

(Tim, anything you want to add?)

[Tim White]

I think Greg covered it well...review the EXIT material from your previous level and you should be good to go for your ENTRY testing.

[Carl Amundson]

I think Greg covered it well...review the EXIT material from your previous level and you should be good to go for your ENTRY testing.

Well, as long as I don’t have to do any patient packaging I should be OK...

[Stridergdm]

I think Greg covered it well...review the EXIT material from your previous level and you should be good to go for your ENTRY testing.

Well, as long as I don’t have to do any patient packaging I should be OK...

Oh, I didn't mention that you need to be able to perform a field tracheotomy?

[Stridergdm]

Just to update, the BORC is still discussing this. So things will be delayed a bit longer than I expected.

(And yes, the delay is an issue and the BORC and the EC are aware of the problems it may cause some people. But like I say, I honestly believe, if you practice your exit skills test as Tim suggests, any changes that are passed will be trivial to handle.)

(I doubt the "build your own 100' kernmantle rope out of shoelaces and dental floss" will not be passed.

[Carl Amundson]

(I doubt the "build your own 100' kernmantle rope out of shoelaces and dental floss" will not be passed.

Damn, I better start working on my macramé...

[cavedoc55]

Just to be perfectly clear, there will be no field tracheotomies at this year's seminar.

[Stridergdm]

Just to be perfectly clear, there will be no field tracheotomies at this year's seminar.

You take all the fun out of it!