Photo by David Schiefelbein

Basic Climbing Rope Handling DVD
You may have already heard that we developed an instructional DVD for basic students. It shows how to tie knots, set up belays, and perform other skills. Our special thanks to Mark Erskine, a TV producer and 2003 basic graduate, who proposed the idea and volunteered his time to lead the project. Intermediate and basic students received copies of the DVD as part of their course fees. The DVD will help basic students learn the skills and intermediate students standardize their teaching methods. You can buy a copy of the DVD at the Clubhouse bookstore for $10 after your member discount.

Intermediate Mentor Program
We started a mentor program for intermediate students. This will build on the success of the basic mentor program and it offers new ways for intermediate students to develop their climbing skills. So far 16 mentors and 62 of this year’s students are participating.

All-Women Climbs
This season we will offer climbs for women, led by women. Both basic and intermediate level climbs will be offered to provide women climbers the chance to climb together without being burdened by having men along. If anyone has a problem with this let me remind you that there are plenty of all-male climbs every year, only they are not advertised as such!

Avalanche Course
This year our climbing program is involved in a club-wide effort to develop a 2-3 day Level I avalanche course. Randy Nelson, Ken Walkky, Charles Mitchell, and Patrick Mullaney participated in an instructor’s course and taught at this year’s winter mountaineering field trip. Intermediate students who participated in that field trip will be able to take supplemental instruction to complete the Level I curriculum. Along with skiers and other winter sport enthusiasts we will evaluate the course at the end of the season and plan how to expand it next year.

Club Database
Finally, the new club database is scheduled for its rollout this year. It will offer on-line sign-up and is currently being tested by climbers, scramblers, skiers, snowshoers, and other members. If you have been involved with a database transition before you know that it won’t happen seamlessly. Be prepared for a glitch or two and recognize that it will offer many benefits once it is up and running.