Alpine Scrambling Equivalency

If you already have the skills to scramble safely, then you don't need to take our Scramble Course – you can skip the course through our “equivalency” process. A description of these skills can be found here.  We love having people join our community who have gained these requisite skills through other local or even distant organizations. We have well-qualified members who have scrambled or climbed in the Rockies, New England and even internationally. Because of the inherent personal risks of scrambling and the danger to all party members from having an inadequately trained member along on a trip, we have a rigorous process for obtaining equivalency.  If this sounds like the route for you, please contact our Equivalency Coordinator Louise Suhr at ldsuhr@gmail.com to request leader's permission and share your experience. 

PROCESS FOR SEATTLE SCRAMBLE EQUIVALENCY

• To apply for leader's permission, prospective candidates seeking equivalency will contact the scramble equivalency coordinator and provide a scrambling resume, describing minimum of five unguided off-trail summits, illustrating skills in both snow travel with ice axe as well as experience on non-technical rock.
• Coordinator will review the resume and, if approved, schedule an equivalency skills evaluation.  This full day field trip occurs in the late spring typically, so equivalency is on an annual cycle.  Participants will demonstrate snow travel skills, ice axe arrest in all positions, and safe self-belay and glissade.  Participants will also demonstrate safe rock travel as well as off-trail navigation skills.  Lastly, we will learn about and practice the protected down-climb technique.  See date options below.  
• After successful completion of the skills test, the prospective applicant will be granted a scramble student badge, which allows them to go on regular season scrambles. Just like any scramble student, they will then have until Nov 1 of the following year to successfully complete three scrambles (at least one of which is rock and one of which is snow). 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Complete the Wilderness Navigation course that includes GPS by June 1.  This is a separate course with its own fees and scheduling. 
• Complete the Wilderness First Aid course. This is a separate course with its own fees and scheduling, however with no explicit timeline. 
• Complete the online Low Impact Recreation quiz.
• Complete a full day or two half day  Stewardship event.  The Mountaineers is a volunteer organization and we strive to create a community that gives back to our shared world.

Fees: 

• $50, includes protected down-climb kit, will be provided at skills eval day

REGISTRATION TIMELINE:

• Equivalency Student Registration Opens: Dec 3
  
• Cancellation: Refund less $10 before April 1
  • No Refund after April 1