Trip Plans and Overdue Scramblers    -   updated May  18, 2010

Scrambles are often long and strenuous, take place on Mother Nature's terms and are led with safety as the foremost concern. Thus, on occasion, a party may be late in returning home. The Scramblers may be forced to bivouac for an additional night and be unable to return on schedule. It is imperative that you advise your relatives, close friends, co-workers or boss of your plans and the proper procedure for reporting an overdue Scrambler. Do not promise to return by a certain time of day; people have been known to panic when a Scrambler fails to return on time.

In the event of an emergency requiring rescue, the Scrambling party should notify the following authorities to initiate a rescue.

1) First call 911, and ask to be transferred to the Sheriff of the county they are in (or National Park Service for Rainier, Olympics, & North Cascades) for a Search and Rescue (SAR). In Canada: contact the RCMP.

2) Second notify the club by calling the Mountaineers Emergency Line:

206-521-6030

This will bring the services of the Mountaineers organization to bear. The club representative can provide advice on managing through the incident, notify emergency contacts and relevant committee/club leadership, and serve as spokesperson for external organizations such as the media.

They will hear a message that says: “You have reached the Mountaineers Emergency line. If you are involved in a trip emergency, call 911. If you’ve already done this, please press ‘1’. You will be connected to the club representative on-call who can provide further assistance. If you have tried that person and they are not available, press ‘2’”, if they are not available press “3”.

Pressing “1” will connect directly with Mike Maude

Pressing “2” will connect with the Executive Director (Martinique Grigg)

Pressing “3” will connect with the President (Tab Wilkins)

In no case should family or friends contact rescue authorities. If a Scrambler has NOT returned or telephoned by NOON of the day following a scheduled Scramble, family or friends should  follow procedure 2) above.

Scrambling Trip Plan

Cut out the following and carry in your 10 essentials package:

Mountaineers Emergency Line

First call 911, and ask to be transferred to the Sheriff of the county you are in (or National Park Service for Rainier, Olympics, & North Cascades) for a Search and Rescue (SAR).

Then call the club at: 206-521-6030

To ensure an effective search and rescue operation, complete the following information and leave a copy with a responsible relative or friend. If you change your plans, inform this person of your new plans before heading into the backcountry. Prior to departure for any field trip or Scramble, discuss the “overdue Scrambler procedure” described above with this person as well as with your spouse, friends, boss and any other appropriate people. It is important that they not overreact. It is not uncommon for Scrambling parties to be overdue; however, being late because of an accident is rather uncommon.

Date(s) __________________________________________________________

Expected return date/time: ___________________________________________

Mountain/ Route:___________________________________________________

Trailhead:_________________________________________________________

Ranger Station: ____________________________________________________

Mountaineers Scramble Private Scramble (circle one)

Map: ___________________________ County: __________________________

Scramble Leader ____________________ Phone ___________________________

Carpool with ____________________ Phone ___________________________