Update: The Mountaineering Commission met in Bavšica, Slovenia in March, 2013 to discuss among other things a training course for sport climbing that was submitted by the Federación de Andinismo de Chile (FEACH). The Training Standards Panel reviewed the proposal and is pleased to report that the course has been accredited by the UIAA – International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation. With the approval, Chile becomes the the first South American country (and Federation) to hold a UIAA Training Label for Sport Climbing.
Editor’s Note: The story which follows was published in in July, 2012.
Training Standards seminar to be held in Chile for first time
The Federación de Andinismo de Chile (FEACH) along with the UIAA Training Standards panel is hosting its first UIAA-approved seminar in South America in the mountains around Santiago, Chile.
The first phase of the training standards seminar (11 – 13 September, 2012) will be held in the Lagunillas, a small resort 67 km southeast of Santiago while the second phase takes place in near nearby El Manzano, known for its towering rock faces and a popular day trip destination for rock climbing.
Topics that will be covered during the sessions includes basic techniques in mountaineering, rappelling and the use of crampons and ice axes. Advanced techniques that will be covered includes shorting roping, snow rescue and a discussion of mountaineering ethics such as bolting.
The UIAA Management Committee, in a bid to enhance a much sought after service to member federations, recently approved a set of proposals for voluntary Training Standards to be delivered as a professional service.
The call for such a service was rated as the number one priority of member federations in the strategic plan survey in 2011 which outlines a road map for the UIAA until 2016.
With the UIAA Training Label, associations can prove that their training and assessment schemes have been independently examined by a UIAA expert and endorsed by an international panel. This makes it possible for mountaineers from different countries to recognise qualifications.
Training Standards is managed by the members of the Training Standards Panel which falls under the Mountaineering Commission.
Earlier this year the Federación de Andinismo de Chile (FEACH) hosted the UIAA Access Commission meeting in the Rio De Olivares region, near Santiago. The Chilean federation (FEACH) is boosting its engagement in access and environmental issues with a new Ministry of Environmental Law that was established a few years ago to manage sensitive mountain environments.
For more information about participating in the seminar, please contact training@theuiaa.org
