Seattle Alpine Scramble Leadership

Seattle Alpine Scramble Leadership

The Mountaineers is proudly a volunteer-run organization, and as such leadership is a key component of the Mountaineers experience. We encourage all of our Alpine Scramble graduates to pay forward the time and effort that their leaders and instructors give by participating in the leadership program.

 

 Description of skills

The Seattle Alpine Scramble Committee gladly welcomes all qualified Mountaineers to become Alpine Scramble Leaders. This rewarding experience is a great way to continue to practice your scrambling skills, while sharing your knowledge with others. In order to gain this badge and participate as a Scramble Leader, the candidate must demonstrate the following proficiencies:

  • Rock and snow scrambling with training in rope and anchor techniques that might be used on scrambling terrain
  • Group leadership, including trip planning and group dynamics
  • Use of topographical maps, compass, and altimeter
  • Mountain safety, including identification of hazards such as exposure, rockfall, avalanches, and changing weather; and actions to minimize risk
  • First Aid
  • Emergency preparedness (including emergency bivouacs and how to summon help should it be needed)

What does this badge allow me to do?

HOW DO I GET THIS BADGE?

The Seattle Alpine Scramble Committee has identified the following primary requirement(s) for prospective leaders.

  • Leaders must be graduates of the Alpine Scrambling Course or the Basic Climbing Course.
  • Must have provided student instruction for at least two of the three Alpine Scrambling Course field trips (preferably with Seattle branch): Snow, Rock, Experience

The Seattle Alpine Scramble Committee must also be satisfied that leaders of alpine scrambles have competence in:

  • Rock and snow scrambling with training in rope and anchor techniques that might be used on scrambling terrain 
  • Group leadership, including trip planning and group dynamics 
  • Use of topographical maps, compass, and altimeter 
  • Mountain safety, including identification of hazards such as exposure, rock fall, avalanches, and changing weather; and actions to minimize risk 
  • Mountaineering Oriented First Aid 
  • Emergency preparedness (including emergency bivouacs and how to summon help should it be needed) 

In addition to the above requirements, applicants for winter scrambling leadership must:

  • Be a current scramble leader
  • Have led at least 5 trips (not all trips need to be scrambles if the applicant is also a leader with another committee)
  • Have been on at least 3 winter scrambles and have competence in winter travel using crampons and snowshoes
  • Have emergency winter overnight shelter training : Completed a course, module or field trip that covers building emergency shelters in winter conditions (such as an Intermediate Climbing winter mountaineering field trip)
  • Be graduates of a Level I Avalanche Course

How to Apply

 Leadership requirements may be accessed here. The online scrambling leadership application may be accessed here.  For current scramble leaders who would like to apply to be winter scramble leaders, please find the winter leader application here.  If you have additional questions, please contact Craig Kartes at scrambling.seattle@gmail.com.

Competence may be demonstrated by participation in courses or seminars, experience, instructing at alpine scrambling field trips, leading a trip with a mentor, or other means acceptable to the committee. 

Leaders must also demonstrate skill maintenance by satisfactorily leading one or more Alpine Scramble trips for the Seattle branch every three years, as required by the committee.