Why do I need Basic Equivalency Status?

Many of the Mountaineers climbing activities require that participants are, at a minimum, Basic Climbing Course graduates. In order to participate, you must have graduated from the club’s Basic Climbing Course or have been granted Basic Equivalency Status. These activities include Basic Level Climbs, Club Climbs, Intermediate Climbing Course, and Climbing Seminars. In addition, having obtained graduate or equivalency status, you also qualify to participate in Alpine Scrambles, Snowshoe Tours, and Hikes.

Am I eligible for Basic Equivalency Status?

You may qualify if you:

• Are current members of the Mountaineers
• Have significant, recent climbing experience with both glacier and alpine rock climbs (you should have reached the summits on multiple glacier climbs and multiple alpine rock climbs),
• Are able to demonstrate climbing skills equivalent to those taught in the Basic Climbing Course.

In order to be granted Basic Equivalency status, you must:

• Have current MOFA (Mountianeering Oriented First Aid) certification, and
• Complete a qualifying Stewardship requirement.

How do I apply for Basic Equivalency Status?

Obtaining Basic Equivalency Status is a two-step process. First, you submit a Basic Equivalency Application by the closing deadline for the next Basic Equivalency Field Trip.

• Make sure you completely fill out the application form
• Include a climbing résumé, listing your climbing experiences. For each climb include the name of the peak, route taken, the rating, the date, number of climbers in the party, your role, and whether you attained the summit.
• If you have a current MOFA card, include a copy, and
• If you have already completed your qualifying Stewardship requirement, include a description.

If your application shows that you have qualifying experience, you will be invited to attend the Basic Equivalency Field Trip. The field trip is a one day opportunity to demonstrate your climbing skills.

After you are invited, you must register for the Basic Equivalency Field Trip with the club sign-up line. You must also pay the $25 (non-refundable) fee prior to the trip. Only club members in good standing will be able to register for the field trip. At the field trip, you will be required to pass the skills check.

You will receive a written notice of the field trip results. The results will either indicate that you have passed, passed with deficiencies, or failed. If you have passed with deficiencies, the steps required for you to complete your Basic Equivalency will be defined.

Once you have met all requirements, your name will entered into the club records with Basic Equivalency status.

What types of climbs are you looking for in my climbing experience?

All climbs should be alpine routes that include technical climbing segments. Routes are classified as Glacier, Rock, or Alpine. To be invited to the Basic Equivalency field trip, you must have (as a minimum) significant, recent equivalent climbing experience on routes similar to the routes climbed in the Basic Climbing course.

Why have a Basic Equivalency Field Trip?
We ensure that all participants in club climbing activities are capable and practice safe climbing skills.

What skills must I demonstrate at the Basic Equivalency Field Trip?

You will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following skills:

• Belay Techniques: anchor, setup, rope handling, commands, leader tie-off, use of a belay device and the Münter hitch.
• Knots: water knot, double fisherman's, bowline, bowline on a coil, double bowline (bowline on a bight), figure 8, clove hitch, prusik, slip knot, girth hitch, mountaineer's coil, and butterfly coil.
• Crevasse Rescue: 3-to-1 mechanical advantage raise, prusik up and down rope.
• Navigation: take bearing on map, plot bearing on map, take bearing in field, follow bearing in field.
• Rappelling: at least two methods, including carabiner brake.
• Ice Axe Arrest: positions of axe, proper arrest technique, safety.

Will I pass the skills check at the Basic Equivalency Field Trip if I do not do things the exact way the Mountaineers teaches them?

You will pass the skills check at the field trip if you can demonstrate mastery of safe and effective techiques in all of the required skills. If your way works and is generally acknowledged to be good climbing practice but isn’t executed the way the Mountaineers teaches it, it will be accepted.

What do I bring to the Basic Equivalency Field Trip?

Come prepared for a one day rock climb. Bring a compass, USGS 7.5 Snoqualmie Pass topographical map, climbing helmet, harness, mountaineering boots, ice ax, belay gloves, belay device, pulley, prusik slings, carabiners, slings, pack, a lunch and the ten essentials.

What if I don’t pass the skills check at the Basic Equivalency Field Trip?

You may find that the field trip is difficult or you may not have the necessary experience. If you do not pass, and you want to climb with The Mountaineers, you will need to enroll in the Basic Climbing Course in order to go on climbs.

What is MOFA?

Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (MOFA) is first aid course for the wilderness traveler. The course meets the requirements for the American Red Cross (ARC) Community First Aid and Safety course with several hours of additional wilderness focused first aid training. The volunteer instructors are certified by the ARC. Check the First Aid sections of the Go Guide or the MOFA website for more information this course. The MOFA course has a fee separate from any climbing course fees. Check the online listing for current course offerings.

Why have a Stewardship Requirement?
We believe that stewardship is an integral part of a climber’s education. As climbers we need to understand our potential impact on the wild lands that we use for recreation. Without proper care for these lands and the responsible attitudes that go hand in hand, we may lose the access to places that we now take for granted; land management agencies will increasingly restrict our use of those lands.

What are qualifying Stewardship Activities?

Basic Climbing Course students must fulfill a stewardship requirement. This entails completing one session of conservation-related activity that benefits alpine climbing. Suggestions for conservation service include:

• Cleanup projects (beaches, trails or campgrounds)
• Organization of environmental education programs; e.g. to disseminate minimum impact techniques.
• Revegetation projects; e.g. tree planting.
• Trail maintenance.