Day 2 of Mountain Phase

From the book: So This Is Ranger School:


"Camp merrill will be the site of the second phase of RS.  The Mountain Phase is the longest phase of RS, 21 days, and consists of 3 events: mountaineering, technique training, and graded patrols.  Many may argue that the Mountain Phase is the most difficult phase due to its length and rugged terrain.


The first week of Mountains will be mountaineering which consists of rappelling, belaying, knot tying, field expedient bridges, and line hauling.  One of the graded events you will have to take this week will be the knot test.  You will have to successfully demonstrate 6 out of 8 knots to get at GO.  The other test will consist of hooking into and testing a mechanical belay system.  Both of these tests will be hands-on... Some of the other tasks you will conduct during the first week of mountaineering are: one-rope bridges, vertical transport system, self rappel, buddy rappel, and casualty evacuation rappels.


The second and third weeks of the MP (mountain phase) consists of technique training and graded patrols. Technique training is similar to what you received at Camp Darby... Graded patrols will consist of a four day field problem and a five day field problem."


Day 2 of 21


"Day 2 starts with the four days of the MP known as "lowers".  During these 4 days you will learn the basic mountaineering skills such as knots, belays, anchors, and rappels.  Particularly, on Day 2, your day will start with breakfast in the mess hall.  Camp Merrill has some of the best pancakes ever.  You will know what I mean once you eat them.  After breakfast, you will move to "lowers."  At lowers, you will get your first class on mountaineering.  On this day, you will rotate between three stations to prepare for your test the following day.  The first station is knot class, the second is the belay class, and the third class will be your introduction into rappelling where you will learn to rappel off a 60 foot wall.  These three classes will take all day."