1-Dec-17 Army Mountain Warfare School Ethan Allen Firing Range Jericho, VT 05465-9796 Basic Military Mountaineer Course Student Handout 2018 ARMY MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL Proponent The proponent for this document is the United States Army Infantry School. Improvement Users are invited to send comments and suggested improvements Comments on DA Form 2028, Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms. Completed forms, or equivalent response, will be mailed or attached to electronic e-mail and transmitted to: COMMANDER ARMY MOUNTAIN WARFARE SCHOOL 8 MOUNTAIN SCHOOL ROAD JERICHO, VT 05465-9705 Telephone (Comm.): (802) 899-7202/7205 Telephone (DSN): 636-3000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://www.benning.army.mil/amws/ Security Unclassified Clearance / Access Foreign FD6. The product developers in coordination with the foreign Disclosure disclosure authority have reviewed this product/publication. This Restrictions product is releasable to students from foreign countries on a case- by-case basis. Soldier's Creed I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier. 2 Table of Contents SECTION I: MOUNTAINEERING .............................................................................................. 6 Chapter 1. Characteristics of Mountain Terrain .......................................................................... 6 Chapter 2. Basic Mountaineering Equipment ........................................................................... 13 Chapter 3. Cold Weather Clothing ........................................................................................... 20 Chapter 4. Basic Knot Tying .................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 5. Rope Management ................................................................................................. 53 Chapter 6. Anchors .................................................................................................................. 56 Chapter 7. Mountain Travel Techniques .................................................................................. 74 Chapter 8. Climbing Techniques .............................................................................................. 79 Chapter 9. Fixed Ropes ......................................................................................................... 104 Chapter 10. Rappelling in Mountainous Terrain ..................................................................... 111 Chapter 11. Hauling Techniques ............................................................................................ 115 Chapter 12. High Lines .......................................................................................................... 119 Chapter 13. Additional Height Construction ........................................................................... 126 Chapter 14. Avalanche Awareness ........................................................................................ 130 SECTION II: MEDICAL.......................................................................................................... 137 Chapter 15. Environmental Injuries ........................................................................................ 137 Chapter 16. High Altitude Illness and Prevention ................................................................... 144 Chapter 17. Basic Mountain Casualty Evacuation ................................................................. 151 SECTION III: OPERATIONS ................................................................................................. 160 Chapter 18. Soldier Load Management ................................................................................. 160 Chapter 19. Vertical Danger Areas ........................................................................................ 166 Chapter 20. Altimeter Land Navigation .................................................................................. 173 Chapter 21. Mountain Operations .......................................................................................... 177 Chapter 22. Mountain Patrol Base and Bivouac Operations .................................................. 188 Chapter 23. Environmental Effects on Weapons ................................................................... 204 Chapter 24. Animal Packing ................................................................................................... 213 Chapter 25. Water Procurement ............................................................................................ 219 Chapter 26. Aerial Resupply .................................................................................................. 222 Chapter 27. Confined Space Exploration and Clearing .......................................................... 223 Additional Resources ............................................................................................................. 225 3 The History of the Ram’s Head Device Ram’s Head Device The Military Mountaineer Badge, commonly known as the Ram’s Head Device, is a representation of a Dall ram head. In the 1950s, the United States Army Mountain and Cold Weather Training Command at Fort Carson and Camp Hale, Colorado adopted the Ram’s Head Device as the badge worn by their cadre. The badge marked an individual as an expert in mountain warfare. In 1983, the Vermont Army National Guard Mountain Warfare School was established in Jericho, Vermont. The Ram’s Head Device was adopted as the Military Mountaineer Badge denoting successful completion of the Basic Military Mountaineer Course and awarding of the Skill Qualification Identifier – E “Military Mountaineer.” In 2003 the Mountain Warfare School became the United States Army Mountain Warfare School. The Army Mountain Warfare School continues to award the Ram’s Head Device to soldiers who complete the Basic Military Mountaineer Course. The Ram’s Head was chosen in recognition of the sacrifices our mountain soldiers made during World War II and the proud tradition of the United States Army’s past mountain warfare training institutions. 4 Environmental Statement 1) Responsibility: It is the responsibility of all Soldiers to protect the environment from damage. Careful planning and preparing for your mission can minimize impact on the environment. 2) Plan and prepare: Careful planning can help ensure that impact concerns and safety expectations are met. 3) Durable Surfaces: Bivouac and travel on durable surfaces. It is best to use surfaces that are durable or highly resistant to impact. These include rock, sand, gravel, snow, pine needles and leaf litter. a) Stay on marked trails unless otherwise directed by an instructor. b) Use bridges wherever and whenever possible. c) Take rest breaks on durable surfaces. d) Ground equipment and eat only in areas designated by the PI. e) Avoid fragile areas. f) Smoke only in areas designated by an instructor. Police all related refuse. 4) Avoidance: Avoid places where impact is just beginning. Use already established well-worn sites. 5) Reduce Waste: Pack it in; pack it out. Reducing waste helps prevent animals from becoming habituated to humans and lessens the chances of them becoming nuisances around bivouacs. a) Reduce your litter prior to packing it. b) Dispose of all waste items in an appropriate manner. If a trash bag is provided, use it. If none is available, pack your trash in your rucksack. Do not attempt to burn or bury trash at any training site. c) Properly dispose of what you cannot pack out. Correctly disposing of waste helps prevent pollution of water sources and the spread of illness such as giardia. d) Dispose of human waste properly. Use designated latrines only. "Cat Holes" are not authorized. 6) Leave What You Find a) Avoid damaging trees and plants. b) Avoid disturbing wildlife. c) Avoid contact with wildlife 7) Fires: Minimize use and impact of fires. A fire should be viewed as a tool to be used only when necessary. a) Do not start wood fires at any training site unless directed by an instructor. b) If authorized, make your fire small and safe. 5 SECTION I: MOUNTAINEERING Chapter 1. Characteristics of Mountain Terrain 1) Introduction: Operating in the mountains exposes Soldiers to some of the most unforgiving terrain on the face of the planet. Moving across glaciers, cliffs, ravines and other dangerous obstacles can easily lead to casualties and mission failure for the unprepared. Having the ability to identify various types of mountain terrain and the associated risks will greatly enhance a unit’s ability to successfully conduct mountain operations. 2) Features of Mountain Terrain a) Mountains are defined as land masses rising more than 500 meters above the surrounding plain. They can be single peaks, a long ridgeline, or an entire range. b) Mountain terrain is characterized by high peaks, deep valley and ravines, fast moving rivers, glaciers, cliffs,