Basic Equivalency is an opportunity for experienced climbers who have not taken the Mountaineers Basic Climbing Course to become eligible to participate in many of the club's climbing activities, including Basic Climbs, Climbing Seminars, and the Intermediate Climbing Course. Basic Climbing Course graduates and Basic Climbing Equivalents are also qualified to participate in Alpine Scrambles, Snowshoe Tours, and Hikes.

Climbers wanting to obtain Basic Equivalency must first send in an application. The application is reviewed and eligible applicants are invited to attend the Basic Equivalency Field Trip. At the field trip, the climber's skills are reviewed. Basic Equivalency is granted if the field trip is completed successfully, MOFA is current, and our stewardship requirement has been completed.

Please refer to the Basic Equivalency FAQ's for more details about the Basic Equivalency process and the opportunities it provides.

How toApply

Please contact Marty Jolly, program coordinator, to discuss your experience and see if you qualify. If you have the qualifying experience, you will be invited to attend the Basic Equivalency Field Trip. At the field trip, you will be asked to demonstrate that your climbing skills are equivalent to those expected of a graduate of the Basic Climbing Course. These climbing skills include belay techniques, rope handling, knots, mountain safety, crevasse rescue systems, navigation, ice axe arrest, rock climbing and rappelling.

If you are invited to the Basic Equivalency Field Trip, you must register online or by calling the clubhouse at (206) 284-8484 and pay the field trip fee.

Eligibility

Basic Equivalency Status is granted to candidates who:

• 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 invited to attend and successfully complete the Basic Equivalency Field Trip, demonstrating climbing skills equivalent to those taught in the Basic Climbing Course,
• Have a current MOFA card, and
• Have performed qualifying Stewardship Service

Contact

Marty Jolly, Alpine Equivalency Chair, basic.equivalency@gmail.com.