*TC 3-97.61 (FM 3-97.61)
Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC, 26 July 2012

*Training Circular
No. 3-97.61

Military Mountaineering
Contents
Page
PREFACE.............................................................................................................................................. xi
Chapter 1

MOUNTAIN TERRAIN, WEATHER, AND HAZARDS ............................................. 1-1
Section I. MOUNTAIN TERRAIN ............................................................................. 1-1
Definition .................................................................................................................... 1-1
Composition ............................................................................................................... 1-1
Rock and Slope Types .............................................................................................. 1-1
Rock Classifications .................................................................................................. 1-2
Mountain Building ...................................................................................................... 1-4
Route Classification ................................................................................................... 1-5
Cross-Country Movement.......................................................................................... 1-9
Cover and Concealment .......................................................................................... 1-10
Observation ............................................................................................................. 1-10
Fields of Fire ............................................................................................................ 1-10
Section II. MOUNTAIN WEATHER ........................................................................ 1-10
Considerations for Planning .................................................................................... 1-11
Mountain Air ............................................................................................................ 1-11
Weather Characteristics .......................................................................................... 1-11
Wind......................................................................................................................... 1-12
Humidity ................................................................................................................... 1-13
Cloud Formation ...................................................................................................... 1-14
Types of Clouds....................................................................................................... 1-14
Fronts....................................................................................................................... 1-19
Temperature ............................................................................................................ 1-20
Weather Forecasting ............................................................................................... 1-21
Recording Data ........................................................................................................ 1-21
Section III. MOUNTAIN HAZARDS ....................................................................... 1-23
Subjective Hazards.................................................................................................. 1-23
Objective Hazards ................................................................................................... 1-24
Weather Hazards..................................................................................................... 1-25
Avalanche Hazards ................................................................................................. 1-25

Chapter 2

MOUNTAIN LIVING .................................................................................................. 2-1
Section I. SURVIVAL ............................................................................................... 2-1
Water Supply ............................................................................................................. 2-1

Distribution Restriction. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
*This manual supersedes FM 3-97.61, dated 26 August 2002.
i