Climbing Policies
Revised, January 15, 2000
Table of Contents
- Climbing Committee
- Climbing Committee Responsibilities
- Basic Climbing
- Basic Climbing Course
- Eligibility and Application Process
- Lecture and Field Trip Requirements
- Graduation Requirements
- Course Extension
- Basic Climbing Course Equivalency
- Basic Climbing Course Field Trip Instructor
Requirements
- Initial Requirements
- Continuing Participation Requirements
- Intermediate Climbing
- Intermediate Climbing Course
- Eligibility and Application Process
- Lecture and Field Trip Requirements
- Graduation Requirements
- Course Extension
- Intermediate Climbing Course Field Trip
Instructor Requirements
- Initial Requirements
- Continuing Participation Requirements
- Intermediate Climbing Course Equivalency
- Climbs
- Selection and Approval of Climbs
- Basic Climbs
- Club Climbs
- Intermediate Climbs
- Basic Climb Leader Requirements
- Initial Requirements
- Continuing Participation Requirements
- Intermediate Climb Leader Requirements
- Initial Requirements
- Continuing Participation Requirements
- Expectations of Leaders
- Expectations of Participants
- Equipment
- Ropes
- Avalanche Rescue Beacons
- Records
- Climb Leader and Field Trip Instructor
List
- Additions
- Removals
- Reinstatements
- Climbing Committee
The Mountaineers - Everett Branch Bylaws empower
the membership to create standing committees for conducting the
ongoing activities of the Branch. The Climbing Committee, a standing
committee of the Mountaineers - Everett Branch, is responsible
for conducting the climbing activity as described in its charter,
Policy 207 of the Branch Operating Manual. The primary function
of the Everett Branch Climbing Committee is to offer the Basic
and Intermediate Climbing Courses, conduct special seminars, and
to facilitate climbing activity within the Everett Branch.
The Climbing Committee shall consist of a Chairperson,
appointed by the Everett Branch Chair, and other committee members
which the Committee Chairperson will appoint to carry out the
Committee's responsibilities. All Committee members must be Basic
Climbing Course graduates or equivalents.
The Committee shall meet on a regular basis, as
determined by the members. These Climbing Committee Policies shall
govern those activities that it sponsors.
- Climbing
Committee Responsibilities
- Conduct climbing courses and seminars. This
includes establishing eligibility requirements for the courses
as well as their equivalency, if offered.
- Set fees for the seminars, Climbing Courses,
and Course equivalency certification. The Committee will recommend
fees based upon anticipated revenue and expenses of the Committee
on a yearly basis.
- Approve or reject Climbing Course graduation
and equivalency petitions.
- Establish leader and instructor qualifications,
and maintain a current Climb Leader and Field Trip Instructor
list.
- Ensure proper maintenance and replacement
of ropes and other climbing equipment owned by the Committee.
- Review climbing accidents originating from
trips sponsored by the Climbing Committee and make recommendations
as appropriate.
- Administer climbing awards as requested by
the Branch.
- Maintain Climbing Committee Policies.
- Basic Climbing
The Basic Climbing subcommittee shall be responsible
for conducting the Basic Climbing Course; and for selection and
approval of Basic Climbing Course Field Trip Instructors. As time
and demand permits, the subcommittee may offer Basic Climbing
Course Equivalency and a Basic Climbing Skills Refresher Course.
The subcommittee shall, as a minimum, consist
of the Basic Climbing Course Coordinator, the Basic Lectures Focal
and the Basic Field Trips Focal. The Climbs Coordinator, Records
Coordinator and Seminars Coordinator shall assist the subcommittee
in conducting their activities.
- Basic
Climbing Course
- Eligibility
and Application Process
- Course is open to Mountaineers members
who are 18 years or older at the time of registration.
- Applicants must complete course application,
sign appropriate waiver and release forms, and pay course
fee.
- If the number of qualified applicants exceeds
the predetermined class size, priority will be given to
Everett branch members and Snohomish County residents, in
that order. Remaining positions will be allocated by lottery.
- Applicants are subject to Climbing Committee
approval.
- Lecture
and Field Trip Requirements
- Due to the large number of applicants,
restricted class size, and a limited number of volunteer
instructors, we ask that applicants consider these policies
carefully and abide by them for the duration of the course.
- Attendance is mandatory for all lectures
and field trips and must be attended sequentially. The course
builds on the successive and successful completion of each
lecture and field trip. Students earn the right to attend
field trips based on their participation in earlier lectures
and trips.
- Attendance at the first lecture is mandatory.
If the registered student is not present, his or her spot
in the class will be given to a student on the waiting list
who is present. Role call is taken at 7 p.m. sharp. Without
exception, latecomers will be dropped from the course.
- Attendance at the first field trip is mandatory.
Only the Everett branch offers the Conditioning Field Trip.
Therefore, no make-up is allowed and the absent student
will be dropped from the class.
- Lectures begin at 7 p.m. All students are
required to sign in by 7 p.m. If someone arrives between
7:01 to 7:29 they are tardy. Students can be tardy twice
and are dropped from the course the third time they are
late. Tardy students must also write a summary of the missed
lecture and turn it in to the course instructor at the following
lecture.
- Any student who arrives to a lecture at
7:30 or later is considered absent. The absent student must
make up the missed lecture. Students are also required to
stay until the lecture is over. If a student leaves a lecture
early, no credit will be given and the student will have
to make up the lecture. Only one absence is allowed before
the student is dropped from the course. Students can miss
one field trip before being dropped from the course.
- Prior to participating at a field trip,
students must attend the lecture(s) relevant to that field
trip.
- Students can make up one lecture and one
field trip (excluding the first lecture and trip). It is
the student¡s responsibility to arrange their make up. Basic
course volunteer instructors do not conduct individual sessions
for those students who miss lectures or field trips. Students
can sometimes attend field trips with another Mountaineer
branch, although this is often difficult because the trips
must be done sequentially. Attendance and performance at
the field trip must be documented and given to the Everett
Basic class record keeper.
- Missed lectures can be made up in a variety
of ways including writing a report that covers the missed
lecture material. The make up proposal and a completion
date should be submitted to a course instructor or record
keeper for approval.
- Only students currently enrolled in a Basic
Climbing Course may attend and participate in Basic field
trips. Students in Basic Climbing Courses offered by other
Mountaineers branches may participate with the prior approval
of the Basic Climbing Course Coordinator.
- Students who do not have the required clothing
and equipment at each field trip will not be allowed to
participate. UIAA-approved climbing helmets must be worn
by students and instructors at all field trips.
- A student must satisfactorily demonstrate
all skills listed in the field trip booklet and items must
be signed off by an approved instructor.
- In situations of question, the Basic Climbing
Course Coordinator (or their designee) has the final authority
in determining satisfactory performance.
- The mid-term and final exams consist of
two parts, written and practical. A score of 75 percent
is required on the written part and only one task can be
missed to pass the practical part. Any student who fails
to pass the mid-term will be dropped from the course. Passing
grades in both exams are required to graduate. Note also
that all lectures and field trips must be made up before
the final exam.
- A student must attend all lectures, satisfactorily
complete all field trips, be tested for practical skills
and technical knowledge, and be a current Mountaineers member
before participating on Basic Climbs.
- Graduation
Requirements
- Complete all lectures and field trips.
- Achieve or exceed the minimum overall grade
which is based upon satisfactory completion of field trips
and upon the tests for practical skills and technical knowledge.
The minimum overall grade and its composition are described
in the current years Basic Climbing Course syllabus.
- Be a Mountaineers member by the final exam.
- Have current MOFA certification.
- Summit on 3 approved Basic climbs, including
at least one Rock and one Glacier climb. The climb leader
has final authority in determining satisfactory performance
on climbs.
- Fulfill requirements by October 15th of
the course year.
- Petition the Climbing Committee via the
Basic Climbing Course Coordinator when requirements have
been completed. All petitions for graduation are due no
later than October 15th of the course year. Petitions for
graduation are subject to Climbing Committee approval.
- Course
Extension
- Students unable to meet course requirements
during the year of application must apply in writing to
the Climbing Committee for an extension by October 15th
of the course year.
- Requests for course extensions are reviewed
by the Committee and are granted for a period of one year.
- The committee will determine and select
appropriate lectures and field trips to be completed by
applicant.
- Extension candidate must pass the Practical
Skills Test and written final exam, and hold a current MOFA
card, and complete three required climbs after the extension
approval.
- Basic
Climbing Course Equivalency
- Petitioner will complete application form
and submit to the Climbing Committee for review. Petitioner
must be a Mountaineers member at the time of application.
- If the application is accepted, petitioner
will pay course fee and receive a list of selected lectures
and/or field trips to attend (if appropriate).
- Petitioner must pass the Practical Skills
Test and written final exam, hold a current MOFA card, and
complete three required climbs.
- Fulfill requirements by October 15th in the
year of registration.
- Submit graduation petition in writing to
the Committee by October 15th in the year of registration.
- Petition is subject to Climbing Committee
approval.
- Basic
Climbing Course Field Trip Instructor Requirements
Anyone meeting the following criteria may be
authorized to instruct at Mountaineers - Everett Branch Basic
Climbing Course field trips. The Climbing Committee may waive
any of the requirements except Mountaineers membership.
- Initial
Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Graduate of a Mountaineers Basic Climbing
Course or have Basic Climbing Course equivalency.
- Attend the Mountaineers - Everett Branch
Instructor Review field trip.
- Have current MOFA certification.
- Continuing
Participation Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Attend the Mountaineers - Everett Branch
Instructor Review field trip at least once every five years.
- Instruct at two climbing course (Basic
or Intermediate) field trips within the last three years.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Intermediate
Climbing
The Intermediate Climbing subcommittee shall be
responsible for conducting the Intermediate Climbing Course; and
for selection and approval of Intermediate Climbing Course Field
Trip Instructors.
The subcommittee shall, as a minimum, consist
of the Intermediate Climbing Course Coordinator, the Intermediate
Lectures Focal and the Intermediate Field Trips Focal. The Climbs
Coordinator, Records Coordinator and Seminars Coordinator shall
assist the subcommittee in conducting their activities.
- Intermediate
Climbing Course
- Eligibility
and Application Process
- Course is open to Mountaineers members
who have graduated from a Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course
or have Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course equivalency.
- Applicants must complete course application
and pay course fee. Course fee is non-refundable after acceptance
into the course.
- Applicants must demonstrate acceptable
performance at the Fundamentals Review field trip.
- Final acceptance into the Intermediate
Climbing Course is determined by Climbing Committee approval.
- Intermediate Climbing Course size is limited
to 16 individuals. Priority will be given based on Everett
Branch membership, current Everett Branch Climb Leader status,
demonstrated abilities at Fundamentals Review Field Trip,
number of club experience climbs and club involvement.
- Lecture
and Field Trip Requirements
- Participants must attend all lectures and
field trips within the first year or have Intermediate Course
Coordinator prior approval to be completed in second year.
- Up to one Ice and one Rock field trip may
be made up with another Mountaineers Intermediate
Climbing Course with Intermediate Climbing Course Coordinator
prior approval. Student is required to obtain a written
statement from field trip leader that their performance
was acceptable.
- Winter Bivouac Field Trip and Avalanche
Course is required to be completed through the Everett Branch.
- Graduation
Requirements
- Complete all lectures and field trips in
the first year.
- Instruct at each Basic Climbing Course
field trip within 3 years of acceptance into the course.
- Lead and summit on four approved Basic
climbs and one approved Club Climb after acceptance into
the course. These five climbs must include at least 2 Rock
and 2 Glacier climbs and be completed within five years.
Alternatively, lead and summit on four of five of the prior
listed climbs and lead one Basic Climbing Course field trip.
Climbs led as a "leader-in-training" do not count
toward fulfillment of this requirement.
- Summit on 5 approved Intermediate climbs,
including at least 2 Rock and 2 Ice climbs, within 5 years.
Intermediate students are expected to swing leads to receive
credit. The climb leader has final authority in determining
satisfactory performance on a climb.
- Summit on 3 Winter climbs, of which one
must be an overnight trip, within 5 years. The climb leader
has final authority in determining satisfactory performance
on a climb.
- Maintain MOFA certification from course
acceptance through course graduation.
- Petition the Climbing Committee via the
Intermediate Climbing Course Coordinator when requirements
have been completed. All Intermediate Climbing Course petitions
are due no later than October 15th of the year to be considered
for graduation. Petitions for graduation are subject to
Climbing Committee approval.
- Course
Extension
- Any student who is unable to complete the
course requirements within five years may apply in writing
to the Intermediate Course Coordinator for an extension
by October 15th of the fifth year.
- A written response shall be returned stating
if an extension has been granted. If an extension is granted,
the letter will also outline the length of the extension
and the requirements to be fulfilled during the extension
period.
- All requirements for graduation at the
time the individual started the course must be completed
in addition to any additional requirements stated in the
written response.
- Intermediate
Climbing Course Field Trip Instructor Requirements
Anyone meeting the following criteria will be
authorized to instruct at Mountaineers - Everett Branch Intermediate
Climbing Course field trips. The Climbing Committee may waive
any of the requirements except Mountaineers membership.
- Initial
Requirements
- Meet all initial requirements for Basic
Climbing Course Field Trip Instructors.
- Successful completion of all Intermediate
Climbing Course lectures and field trips pertaining to
the activity which the person will instruct (e.g., rock
climbing, ice climbing).
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Continuing
Participation Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Instruct at one Intermediate Climbing Course
field trip within the last three years.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Intermediate
Climbing Course Equivalency
At this time the committee does not offer Intermediate
Climbing Course Equivalency.
- Climbs
The Climbs subcommittee shall be responsible for
(a) selection and approval of climbs; (b) establishing climb leader
qualifications; (c) recruiting new climb leaders; (d) soliciting
climb leaders to lead climbs; (e) publishing scheduled climbs.
The subcommittee shall also support the Basic Climbs and Intermediate
Climbs subcommittees to assist students in fulfilling their course
graduation requirements.
- Selection
and Approval of Climbs
- The Climbs Coordinator will maintain and
update editions of both the Basic and Intermediate Climbs
Guides.
- Leaders will select climbs from either established
list.
- All climbs require pre-approval. The Climbs
Coordinator will regularly solicit climbs from the climb leaders.
Any climb leader who would like to lead an approved climb
on the spur of the moment must obtain approval from the Climbs
Coordinator, the Climbing Committee Chair, the Basic Climbing
Course Coordinator, or the Intermediate Course Coordinator.
- Leaders wishing to lead climbs not listed
in the Climbs Guides can obtain approval by contacting the
Climbs Coordinator, the Climbing Committee Chair, or the Climbing
Course Coordinator to which the climb would apply.
- Basic
Climbs
- Basic Rock climbs must be at least 2 roped
pitches in length and at least class 4 rating. A "pitch"
is understood to mean the maximum usable rope length between
belay points.
- Basic Glacier climbs must be a minimum
of one-half day spent on the glacier. A minimum of two rope
teams is required for Basic Glacier climbs.
- Basic Alpine climbs are aesthetically pleasant
climbs that offer some rock or some glacier climbing or
both, but generally not enough of either to count as a Basic
Rock or Basic Glacier climb. Basic Alpine climbs must still
be roped climbs.
- Basic climbs are open to Basic Climbing
Course students and graduates, and to Basic Climbing Course
equivalents.
- Club
Climbs
- Club climbs are open to Basic Climbing
Course graduates and equivalents. Club climbs do not fulfill
Basic Climbing Course requirements.
- Intermediate
Climbs
- Intermediate climbs must be from the current
Intermediate Climbs Guide or meet one of the following criteria.
All climbs must be pre-approved by the Climbs Coordinator,
the Climbing Committee Chair, the Intermediate Climbing
Course Coordinator or the Basic Climbing Course Coordinator.
- Intermediate Rock climbs must be at least
Grade II, have a Class 5 rating and be three pitches in
length.
- Intermediate Ice climbs must be at least
Grade II and must involve one-half day of technical ice
climbing. The route must be in condition and not just a
snow climb.
- Intermediate Winter climbs must be at least
Grade I and have a Class 3 rating. Winter climbs are scheduled
from Thanksgiving through March 21st.
- Intermediate climbs are open only to Intermediate
Climbing Course students, Intermediate Climbing Course graduates
and Intermediate Climb Leaders. One additional individual
may participate on an Intermediate climb who is a current
Mountaineers member, is a Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course
graduate or has Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course equivalency
and has the approval of the Climb Leader.
- Basic
Climb Leader Requirements
Anyone meeting the following criteria will be
authorized to lead Basic and Club climbs for the Mountaineers
- Everett Branch. The Climbing Committee may waive any of the
requirements except Mountaineers membership.
- Initial
Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Graduate of a Mountaineers Basic Climbing
Course or have Basic Climbing Course equivalency.
- Organize and lead two Basic climbs (one
Rock and one Glacier) as a "leader-in-training" under the
supervision of an approved climb leader. (The three Basic
climbs done in fulfillment of the requirements for Basic
Climbing Course graduation may not be used to meet this
requirement.) These two climbs must be supervised by two
different approved climb leaders.
- Current Mountaineering-Oriented First Aid
(MOFA) certification.
- Attend the Mountaineers - Everett Branch
Leadership Seminar, or obtain a waiver from the Climbs Coordinator
or the Climbing Committee Chair.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Continuing
Participation Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Lead two climbs (Basic, Club, or Intermediate)
within the last three years. A serious attempt that does
not summit is sufficient to meet this requirement.
- Attend the Mountaineers - Everett Branch
Instructor Review field trip at least once every five years.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Intermediate
Climb Leader Requirements
Anyone meeting the following criteria will be
authorized to lead Intermediate climbs for the Mountaineers
- Everett Branch. The Climbing Committee may waive any of the
requirements except Mountaineers membership.
- Initial
Requirement
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Graduate of a Mountaineers Basic Climbing
Course or have Basic Climbing Course equivalency.
- Successful completion of all Intermediate
Climbing Course lectures and field trips.
- Participate on two Intermediate climbs
in which the leader evaluates you as being capable of leading
that climb.
- Current Mountaineering-Oriented First Aid
(MOFA) certification.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Continuing
Participation Requirements
- Current Mountaineers member.
- Lead two climbs (Basic, Club, or Intermediate)
within the last three years. A serious attempt that does
not summit is sufficient to meet this requirement.
- Approval of the Climbing Committee.
- Expectations
of Leaders
- Be competent to lead the climb.
- Plan meeting times and location, possible
campsites, and approximate return time. Leave plans with a
responsible person who can activate a rescue if necessary.
- Gain familiarity with the route through study
of maps and guidebooks, and by talking to rangers or others
who have climbed the route. Secure permit if required.
- Advise participants of required individual
gear, and coordinate group gear.
- Appoint a first aid leader in case of emergency.
- Prohibit unprepared and incompetent participants
from climbing.
- Exemplify safe climbing practices.
- Submit to the Records Coordinator a climb
report for each climb led, regardless of whether the summit
was reached.
- If an accident requiring a rescue occurs,
immediately after the rescue has been initiated, report the
accident to The Mountaineers by calling the emergency pager
at 206-977-9700. Later, submit to the Records Coordinator
a written report of the accident, using the standard accident
report form.
- Expectations
of Participants
- Be competent in basic climbing skills.
- Gain familiarity with the route through maps,
guidebooks and other climbers.
- Bring required equipment, and carry some
group gear.
- Be physically and mentally fit for the climb.
- Do not separate the party, except at the
request of the leader.
- Comply with the leaders requests (assuming
they are consistent with safe climbing practices).
- Be a member of The Mountaineers or a guest
approved by the Everett Climbing Committee Chair.
- Equipment
The Equipment subcommittee stores and manages
ropes and other Climbing Committee equipment (slide projector,
rescue sled, etc.). This equipment is available for use at club-sponsored
activities such as course field trips and climbs.
- Ropes
- New ropes will be purchased annually to meet
course and branch climbing demands.
- New ropes will be used for Intermediate Rock
I and Rock II field trips, and Intermediate climbs. (At the
discretion of the field trip leader, older ropes may be used
for Fundamentals Review, Winter Bivouac and Ice field trips.)
- Ropes over 1 year old, but less than 2 years
old, will be used for Intermediate and Club climbs.
- Ropes which are 2 years old will be used
for Basic climbs. Ropes between 3 and 5 years old will be
used for Basic field trips.
- Ropes will be discarded when they are 5 years
old.
- All ropes will be inspected annually by the
Equipment Manager and all damaged ropes will be removed from
climbing use.
- Ropes which are retired for climbing purposes
may be retained for Basic Climbing Course knot-tying practice.
- Avalanche
Rescue Beacons
Avalanche Rescue Beacons (ARBs) are recommended
for winter climbs. Climb leaders may, at their discretion, require
ARBs on the climbs they lead. If ARBs are used on a climb, the
climb leader is responsible for ensuring that the ARBs used
by the climbers are compatible.
- Records
The Records subcommittee shall be responsible
for keeping the records of the Climbing Committee, climb leaders,
field trips instructors and climbing activities (climbs, seminars,
etc.).
- Climb
Leader and Field Trip Instructor List
- Additions
- Climbers who meet the initial requirements
for Basic Climbing Course Field Trip Instructor are eligible
to be Basic Climbing Course Field Trip Instructors. Recent
Basic Climbing Course graduates and others who meet the
requirements may, at the discretion of the Climbing Committee,
automatically be added to the Climb Leader List as a Basic
Climbing Course Field Trip Instructor.
- Climbers wishing to be added to the Climb
Leader List as a Basic Climb Leader, Intermediate Climbing
Course Field Trip Instructor, or Intermediate Climb Leader
must petition the Climbing Committee. Applicants must meet
the initial requirements for the desired qualification.
The petition must include the following information.
- Biographical Data
Name
Address
Home telephone number
Desired qualification (Basic Climb Leader, Intermediate
Climbing Course Field Trip
Instructor, or Intermediate Climb Leader)
- Education/Training
Climbing courses: Specify course title, year graduated,
and branch.
Climbing seminars: Specify seminar title, date, and sponsoring
organization.
MOFA: Attach a copy of certification card.
- Experience
Field trips: List all field trips at which you instructed.
Climbs: List the climbs which meet the climb requirements
specified in the climb leader requirements policy. For
each climb, include name of peak, ascent route, date,
and climb leader name.
- References
List names and telephone numbers of three branch members
who are qualified to lead climbs at the level for which
you are applying. These references must have climbed with
you and be able to attest to your qualification to lead
or instruct at the desired level.
- The Climbing Committee will review and
validate petitions, then approve or reject the petition.
Applicants will be notified of the committee's decision.
- Removals
- Climb leaders and field trip instructors
may be removed from the Climb Leader List for any of the
following reasons.
- Request of the individual.
- Failure to meet the continuing participation
requirements for climb leaders or field trip instructors.
- Complaint or expressed concern of any club
member. In this situation, the Climbing Committee Chair
or his/her designate will investigate the complaint and
discuss it with the leader. The chair may, at his/her discretion,
discuss the situation with other Climbing Committee members.
Involuntary removal from the leader list, however, requires
a majority vote of the Climbing Committee.
- Violation of club or branch climbing policies,
irresponsible conduct, or flagrant safety violations. After
validating the alleged conduct, the Climbing Committee Chair
or his/her designate may, at his/her discretion, unilaterally
remove the leader from the Climb Leader List. If the chair
revokes a leader's authorization to lead climbs or instruct
at field trips, the Climbing Committee must approve by majority
vote the chair's action at the next meeting of the Climbing
Committee.
- Reinstatements
- Climb leaders who have been removed from
the leader list for failing to meet the continuing participation
requirements may be reinstated by the Climbing Committee
upon meeting the requirements. No petition is required if
the requirements are fulfilled within one year of removal.
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