Preface
Mountains exist in almost every country in the world and almost every war has included some type of mountain
operations. This pattern will not change; therefore, Soldiers will fight in mountainous terrain in future conflicts.
Although mountain operations have not changed, several advancements in equipment and transportation have
increased the Soldiers’ capabilities. The helicopter now allows access to terrain that was once unreachable, or
that was only reachable by slow, methodical climbing. Inclement weather, however, may place various
restrictions on the capabilities of air assets available to a commander. The unit must then possess the necessary
mountaineering skills to overcome adverse terrain to reach an objective.
This training circular details techniques Soldiers and leaders must know to cope with mountainous terrain.
These techniques are the foundation upon which the mountaineer must build. They must be applied to the
various situations encountered to include river crossings, glaciers, snow-covered mountains, ice climbing, rock
climbing, and urban vertical environments. The degree to which this training is applied must be varied to
conform to known enemy doctrine, tactics, and actions. This TC also discusses basic and advanced techniques
to include acclimatization, illness and injury, equipment, anchors, evacuation, movement on glaciers, and
training.
This training circular is a training aid for use by qualified personnel in conjunction with FM 3-97.6, Mountain
Operations, which is used for planning operations in mountainous terrain. Personnel using TC 3-97.61 should
attend a recognized Department of Defense Mountain Warfare School for proper training. Improper use of
techniques and procedures by untrained personnel may result in serious injury or death. Personnel should
be certified as Level I, Basic Mountaineer; Level II, Assault Climber; or Level III, Mountain Leader before
using TC 3-97.61 for training (see Appendix A).
The measurements in this publication are stated as they are used in training (either metric or standard).
Appendix B contains a measurement conversion chart for your convenience.
This book applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard (ARNG)/Army National Guard of the United
States (ARNGUS), and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) unless otherwise stated.
The proponent for this publication is the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
The preparing agency is the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE). Send comments and
recommendations by any means, U.S. mail, e-mail, fax, or telephone, using the format of DA Form 2028,
Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms. Point of contact information is as follows.
E-mail:
john.r.edmunds.civ@mail.mil
Phone:
706-544-6448 (DSN 834)
Fax:
706-544-6421 (DSN 834)
U.S. Mail: Commander, Ranger Training Brigade
ATTN: ATSH-RB / Edmunds
10850 Schneider Rd, Bldg 5024
Ft Benning, GA 31905
Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are included.

26 July 2012

TC 3-97.61

xi