AMCI Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC)

The Basic Mountaineering Course consists of the following:

• Climb Ethics
• Climb Expedition
• Climb Meetings
• Climb Preparation
• Backpack Loading
• Trail Movement
• Camp Management
• Land Navigation
• Ropemanship
• Rock Climbing
• Prevention, First Aid and Emergency Care
• Environmental Awareness

Climb Ethics

Climb Ethics or code of conduct, is the observance of desirable or proper behaviour characterized by respect, concern and consideration for fellow climbers, the environment and the community.

Mountaineers' Creed

Take nothing but pictures,

Leave nothing but footprints,

Kill nothing but time.

On the Environment

To ensure the preservation of nature at its best, we should observe and plan proper climbing procedures to achieve Low-Impact Mountaineering (LIM).

Low Impact Mountaineering (LIM)

-mountaineering with the least impact on the environment.

Low-impact mountaineering can be implemented regardless of the number of climbers as long as everyone is fully conscious of the fragile balance of nature and the importance of leaving the mountain in its original state as much as possible.

Some low-impact practices are as follows:

1. Use existing trails and trail signs to minimize cutting of flora and displacement of natural settings.
2. Use traditional campsites as much as possible and refrain from digging ditches.
3. Do not vandalize and deface the beauty of nature, e.g., writing on rock walls, etching on trees.
4. Build fire only on emergency situations.
5. Smoking along the trail is a fire hazard, thus strictly prohibited.
6. Minimize noise pollution as it disrupts the natural rhythm of the wildlife.
7. Practice proper waste management. What you bring up, you must bring down.
8. Even biodegradable soaps pollute streams. Practice washing without soap. If such is necessary, do so at least 3 meters away from the water source.
9. Wear lightweight sandals around the camp to reduce your impact on vegetation.

In a local community

Local cultural sensitivity. Learn about the community beforehand and keep in mind that we are visitors to their area. This would help us inderstand and respect the people's culture.

1. Respect what is sacred to them, that is:
• places of worship
• burial sites
• spiritual leaders and elders
• sacred objects/articles
2. Be conscious of your behaviour, as it may be offensive to their traditions and practices, such as:
• manner of clothing
• festivities
• local practices, e.g., sleeping time
3. Make a courtesy call to the local officials.

Local Economy

We must refrain from disrupting normal trade, thus, creating an imbalance in a community's economy.

1. Plan carefully. Know and use available transportation and schedules between transit points and destinations. This way, we avoid the following:
• arranging for special transportation services which may disrupt local schedules
• paying more than what is standard and/or distort transportation rates
2. Determine beforehand or consult local officials for the standard rates for professional services such as guide and porter fees. Paying extra or "tipping" is discouraged.
3. Give only tokens fo appreciation so that giving of material things will not be misunderstood as an exchange for favors.
4. Purchase souvenir items and other essentials only from established stores. Buying personal belongings of locals is discouraged.
5. Giving away money or spare food is discouraged since this may instigate begging.

Towards fellow mountaineers

In the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie, we should establish and strengthen our ties with our fellow mountaineers by behaving with propriety.

Each member of the club is equal regardless of gender, sexual orientation, cree, age and race. Respect for individual rights should be observed at all times.

The Ecological Self

Teach your children what we have taught our children - that the Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth.

The Earth does not belong to us; we belong to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.

We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.

Earth Mother, Star Mother, You who are called by a thousand names, may all remember we are the cells in your body and dance together.

You are the rain and the loaf that sustains us each day, and as you are patient with our struggles to learn, so shall we be patient with ourselves and each other.

We are radiant light and sacred dark - the balance - you are the embrace that heartens and the freedom beyond fear.

Within you are born, we grow, live and die - you bring us around the circle to rebirth, within us you dance forever.

Grant us the ability to be alone; may it be our custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and the grasses, among all growing things and there may we be alone, and enter into prayer to talk with the one that we belong to.

Great Spirit, give us hearts to understand; never to take from creation's beauty more than we give; never to destroy wantonly for the furtherance of greed; never to deny to give our hands for the building of Earth's beauty; never to take from her what we cannot use.

Give us hearts to understand that to destroy Earth's music is to create confusion; that to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty; that to callously polute her fragrance is to make a house of stench; that as we care for her she will care for us.

We are Nature, long have we been absent, but now we return, we have circled and circled till we have arrived home again.

AMCI's Commitments

Safety -

The 'AMCI way' of mountaineering takes on a holistic approach at the sport, i.e., by looking at every aspect of the time spent in the mountain - knowing the weather, bringing appropriate gear and clothing, possessing the necessary skills, knowing the route and intended campsites, and guided by a firm environment ethic. Thus, an AMCI mountaineer is prepared more fully and is better able to deal with any situation.

Camaraderie -

AMCI is an organization of friends bonded by a common love for the outdoors and passion for adventure.

Environment -

AMCI endeavors to meld into the trainees' consciousness a better understanding of their ecological selves. We firmly believe that only through a keen understanding of our place in the circle of life can we become effective stewards of nature.

AMCI Hymn

Ginintuang sinag ng araw sa bundok,
Lamig sa umagang may taglay na hamog,
nagbibigay sigla't lakas sa buhay ko,
Sa aking paggising kapiling ko.

Sa isip at puso ko'y kadamay ka,
Sa ginhawa at dusa ay kasama ka,
Nakatatak sa buhay ko'y pangalan mo,
Kabundukan kasa-kasama mo.

(Refrain)

Ulan, kulog, kidlat ay kasama,
Ngiti sa labi ay pag-asa,
Makamtan lang ang minimithi sa dibdib.

Tatak AMCI sa puso ko, tatak AMCI sa isip ko,
Tatak AMCI 'di ka iiwan sa kabundukan -
Kailan pa man.

Lipad-isip, lampas-ulap,
Nakatayo na matatag,
Kagandahan ng kabundukan,
Walang sawang minamasdan.

Repeat Refrain - 1st and 2nd Stanza

Kailan pa man (3x)

Sky Biscocho, Batch 1992