We each have many outstanding memories of when a good climb leader made a positive difference for us. One of my fondest memories is atop the summit of Chiwawa. At the time, it was an Intermediate Ice climb that allowed you the opportunity to challenge yourself appropriately. Before global warming diminished the glacier, you could move further to the left on your way up in order to increase the challenge. It was a delightful ice climb and my climbing partner and I had moved far enough to the left that the summit felt like a justly earned reward.

While we basked in the sun and relished our summit, the climb leader presented several of us with a boxed cherry chocolate. He had previously taken the time to know which of us needed the summit for credit and had prepared to present us with 'recognition' of our Chocolate Covered Leadership achievement. I valued that he had taken the personal interest in our progress through the climbing course. Today, I still have that faded cherry chocolate box saved as a memento of the climb and a symbol of good leadership.

The Leadership Subcommittee has completed a new pamphlet to provide help for the right climbers to become Climb Leaders. The pamphlet is titled Guidelines and Application for becoming a Climb Leader and was mailed to Intermediate Climbing Course Students in the second year or more of their coursework and to those who graduated the Intermediate Climbing Course over the past couple of years.

If you think you might have what it takes to become a Climb Leader for the Mountaineers please review the pamphlet and consider whether you are ready to apply to be a Climb Leader. If you need a copy of the pamphlet, please contact a member of the Leadership Subcommittee.

Now is an excellent time of year to apply to be a climb leader for next season. We want to help ensure that qualified climbers apply to become Climb Leaders. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Burns, Leadership Subcommittee Chair, Email: mburns@serv.net, Phone: 206-286-9394. We will do our best to answer your questions and help you through the process.