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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle, Tuesday, October 15, 1985 Page Fi e students learn how to walk military mountaineering style EVENTS U. by Brent Andersen Staff writer "Fun" seemed to be the adjective of choice for more than 70 students who participated in a one-da- y military mountaineering class rccenlry held at Storm Mountain. The class was organized and taught by University of Utah Army ROTC cadets and encompassed instruction on military rappelling and The students braved cold winds and occasional rain as they first learned how soldiers move men and equipment across mountainous terrain. They then had a chance to practice these skills. Most popular were the four rappcis set up by the cadets over cliffs of varying heights and difficulty. Students were first talked through a short descent by the experienced rappel masters at the top of two basic rappels, and were then free to try their hand at bounding down the more difficult advanced rappels. Several students improved their skills at negotiating the precipices they walked down. On their way down the cliffs, the rappellers had to walk over wet and slippery rocks, and bound over large overhangs. After mastering these skills, students were free to try Australian rappelling, a more advanced method that requires a rappcller to walk and bound down a cliff t, instead of the more traditional method of river-crossin- g. face-firs- walking down back-firs- t. ROTC cadets improved their skills by practicing hasty rappels, a method that omits the safety precaution of routing a person's rope through a snap link, and which allows a person to move down a cliff at maximum speed. Some cadets also tried body rappelling, another method that uses only a rope and no rappel scat. Student reaction to the experience was uniformly positive. Lisa and Frank Salgado "loved it" and thought that it was "fantastic" respectively. Lisa Salgado added that "once you get over the edge, its not hard at all." Frank Salgado appreciated the rappclmastcr's advice as he went down the mountain, stating that with "any little question or fear they helped you out." Vicki Hoffman, a junior majoring in psychology had learned how to rappel earlier, but said, "I wanted to try it out here in the canyons." The uniqueness of the experience was also appreciated by those who participated. Gary Webster, a freshman said he felt that, "I did something different and learned every time that I went down." Several students took some time in conquering their natural fear of heights by backing over a clifTs edge and walking down. After they had walked down the cliff, however, most students felt better about their accomplishment. The youngest person to try rappelling for the first time was Jason Smith, 8, who was talked through his rappel by his father, Capt. Joseph Smith, assistant professor of military science. The younger Smith was glad he successfully completed the rappel, and summed up his experience by stating, "I thought it was fun." Another part of the training was a demonstration of how a group of soldiers can cross a river keeping all but two men dry by using a one-robridge. Cadet Todd Briggs led a team that demonstrated how to secure the rope to two trees on each side of a river, and then use a pully system tied into the rope to cinch it up tight enough to allow men and equipment to cross the rope without getting wet. After seeing this done, students were divided into two teams and competed against each other in building a one-robridge and moving their team members across it. pe pe Students were enthusiastic about crossing the bridge, and some mastered the "commando crawl," a method of crossing that requires a person to balance himself on top of the rope while pulling himself across. Cadets also built a suspension traverse, a rope system which is used to transport heavy equipment down from large heights. Cadet Stan Oki supervised the construction of the rope and pulley system, and then allowed students to get an equipments eye view of the how the system works. The students slid down a rope which was tied at the top of a 70 ft. height and ran down to the ground below. The class was organized and conducted by the Utc Scouts, a group of cadets within the Army ROTC Cadet Batallion organization. Cadet Shane Openshaw, the Utc Scout Commander, explained the purpose of the class. He stated that the class "provided an opportunity for both ROTC cadets and University students to learn the basics of military mountaineering. " He added that, "It's unique when you can get people of military background together with University students and have a lot of fun." Openshaw also felt that the class instilled confidence in those who participated. Please submit items for Events weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. two days before publication. Items should be typed or legibly written on white paper or on a form from the Chronicle office, 240 Union. Please include date, time and place. Tomorrow section may be deleted when news space is limited. For quick University of Utah calendar information anytime, call 581-of U. U. Today 9:55a.m. Books and Banter, "Governing the Ungovernable City," reviewed by Ted Wilson, OSH Rm. 255. 10a.m. Marriott Library general reference desk. Drop-InTou- meet at the r, Chemistry Seminar, "The Adiabatic Semiclassical Dynamics," Rex Skodje, to Approach I la.m. University of Colorado, 102 HEB. Ua.m. Mechanical Engineering Seminar, "The Mechanical Engineering Facilities and How to Use Them," JTB RmJOl. Noon Women's Resource Center Sack Lunch Seminar, "Multiple Roles of Women," Karen Fisher, Union Rm 293. Noon ASUU Challenge Lecture, Jack Anderson, syndicated columnist, Union Ballroom. Noon Law Seminar, "Practicing Law With Your Conscience," Law Conference Room. Ip.m. Pre-Dent- Club presentation, Biology al conference room. 1:30p.m. Free health screening for new students, Student Health Service, Bldg. 44. 3 p.m. Marriott Library Drop-I- n Tour, meet at the general reference desk. 4p.m. Bioengineering Seminar, "Thermal Analysis Techniques of Biocompatible Materials," Dennis LcTcndre, Perkin Elmer Corp., MEB Rm. 2078. 4p.m. Chemical Engineering Graduate Seminar, "Applied Research in the Processing Industries," Donald A. Dahlstrom, MEB Rm. 2037. 4;30p.m. PMT DinnerTheatre Special, East Panorama Room. 5:30p.m. Davis County Band Day, Rice Stadium. 7p.m, Campus Recreation Outdoor Program meeting for "Mountain Bicycling Deep Creek Mountains and the Pony Express Trail" Building 420. pre-outin- g Tomorrow 4p.m. Chemistry seminar, "Organomctallic Chemistry with Binuclear and Trinuclear Complexes," Richard Puddcnphatt, University of Western Ontario, HEB Rm. 102. 7:30 p.m. Women's Resource Center presentation, "Writing and the Female Experience: A Dialogue," Peggy Batten, Marilyn Krysl. Stephanie Pace and Nancy Roberts, Union Rm. 293. i ft ASUU Challenge Lecture III Tuacssdlsiy ft. t:. ' ' : 'What Goes On Behind Closed Doors '' V m y i mm T"r ih "a y i Famous Washington D.C investigative reporter and sleuth. ABC News Media Star (Good Morning America) U. of U. Alumnus , I i' 0k v asuum " i V A at ' l i |
