Tim wrote: ↑I think you took SMI's anchor/crevasse rescue class last year? Do you think it's worth it? I have all of the equipment and several books on the subject and was planning to just figure it out myself. Is it better to take the class or just practice with you guys?
To be honest, I think if a group of us, with our various skill levels and experiences, went up and spent a solid day on skills practice, it would be better than the class.
The class approached each subject in a rather perfunctory way, then went through drills. None of it was rocket science, but it's good to be out there in the field trying stuff for real. A group of folks, including people like Norma, for example, in a less structured environment would be able to share a lot of experiences and advice. Also, since there is rarely only one way to do something, it would be valuable to share what others have learned and what works for them.
Also it would be useful to ferret out bad habits and techniques.
One thing the class does provide is a disciplined framework. The instructor runs through the course and the drills and you have to do them. A group of buddies getting together might be tempted to fool around a lot more instead.
Something I have learned about skills training (winter mountaineering, combat shotgun, whatever) is that all the classes do is introduce you to concepts. You have to actually develop your skills on your own, outside of class. So really without the extracurricular practice, skills training is almost worthless.
Hence the desire to set up one or more sessions like this every season. Usually when we go up a mountain we are only interested in getting to the top, and rarely make time for practice. Skills practice should probably be something you specifically schedule, not something you try to squeeze in during your next adventure.
