Like to explore our winter wilderness with similiar people? Like to help encourage others to respect our wild lands? Like to just get out in the snow and play? Wanna just be cool and belong to a great group? Well- come and be a part of the Ski & Snowboarding Mountaineers.

How to become a Leader

Leaders come from a variety of sources-

• They can be skiers or boarders involved in the Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Committee.
• They can be skiers or boarder who took a course or went on a trip and became interested in leading.
• Other leaders may recommend skiers or boarders who were in their classes and trips who they think would make good leaders.

Don't see a trip that you would like to go on? Do you know of areas to ski or board that you would like to share with others? Then become a trip leader. In particular leaders are needed to lead easy and moderate level Nordic (N rated) or Mountain (M rated) trips. The process for becoming a leader is not difficult and will soon get you out on the snow with new skiing and boarding friends. Prospective leaders who would like assistance can request mentoring to help them get started. Interested skiers and boarders should contact Ed Palushock at ed_wos@yahoo.com for information or an application to become a trip leader.

The following is the current process the Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Committee uses to certify new leaders:

• A potential leader is nominated via trip report or on verbal recommendation of a current Leader or Committee member. Alternatively, a prospective leader may petition to be added to the leaders list by submitting an application. The name of the potential applicant with contact information is forwarded to the Chair of the Leadership Subcommittee.
• The Leadership Subcommittee Chair contacts the candidate to start the application process.
• The leader applicant submits a completed application with any necessary documentation, including evidence of receipt of all equivalencies.
• The Leadership Subcommittee Chair reviews the application and contacts the applicant with any questions or requests for clarification.
• The Leadership Subcommittee Chair presents the candidate's application to the full Leadership Subcommittee for review. The goal is to complete this review and any discussions within 2 weeks of receipt of the application. The candidate is either approved or disapproved. Approved candidates may be requested to meet additional requirements such as serving as an assistant leader on X number of trips, being restricted to certain levels of trips, etc. Candidates who are not approved are usually encouraged to reapply after meeting experience or training deficiencies.
• If the Leadership Subcommittee recommends approval of the candidate, the application is presented to the full Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Committee at the next Committee meeting. Every attempt will be made to announce the applicant to the Committee in advance of the meeting.
• If the applicant is approved, the Leadership Subcommittee Chair notifies the applicant and the Clubhouse (including making available all leader material). If not already completed, the applicant will be informed of the Leader's Training and Level 1 Avalanche requirements and the trip restrictions until this training is completed.
• The assigned Mentor calls to offer support and is available for questions during the season.

Here is what is asked on the New Leader Questionnaire:

• What level(s) of trips do you wish to lead?
• Indicate type of gear you intend to use when leading trips:
  _____ Nordic touring (cross country) ski
  _____ Nordic skate ski
  _____ Telemark ski
  _____ Alpine Touring ski (AT)
  _____ Snowboard
  
• List your experience leading ski, snowboard, hiking, climbing or other trips sponsored by the Mountaineers or another organization. If extensive please summarize.
• List any similar "private" trips. If extensive indicate please summarize.
• List other activities where you had a leadership role, including volunteer organizations or employment that you feel would contribute to your abilities as a Ski or Snowboard Leader.
• What is your Mountaineering Oriented First Aide (MOFA) status? What is the level of your other first aid training or certification? How current is it? If your MOFA certification is not current, indicate in detail your training or certifications. Please provide copies of any certifications.
• What avalanche avoidance and rescue training have you had? Please specify the type of training, when and where the training was received. How do keep your avalanche skills up-to-date? Please provide copies of any certifications.
• What is your navigation training? If you have a Mountaineers Navigation Card, please provide a copy.
• Do you have emergency bivouac training or skills? Please provide details.
• List all scramble and climbing courses you have taken (Mountaineers and non-Mountaineer). What is the highest level of your climbing competence. This is important if you would like to lead M2 and higher rated trips.
• List any other Mountaineer courses you have completed.
• List any Mountaineer committee activities you have participated in.
• List Mountaineer members that you have skied/boarded with that would be willing to provide a reference.
• Indicate in what skill areas you will be requesting equivalency:
  _______ Avalanche
  _______ Navigation
  _______ Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue
  _______ First aid.

Additional Information for New Leader Applicants:

All required equivalencies must be initiated or granted prior to submitting a final application as a Ski or Snowboard Leader, e.g., avalanche, navigation, glacier travel, first aid, etc. (as appropriate for the level of trips you intend to lead). All equivalency requests must be documented.

A current Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (MOFA) certification or substantial first aid training is required to become a new leader. Substantial first aid training may include: Wilderness and other EMT certified individuals, ER physicians, some other ER health professionals and Wilderness First Responders. Applicants without a current MOFA certification or the above certifications, but with substantial first aid training (including MOFA) may be granted an exception.

Graduation from the Mountaineers Scramble Course (or equivalency) is suggested to lead any M2 trips. Graduation (or equivalency) from the Mountaineers Basic or Intermediate Climbing and/or the Ski & Snowboard Mountaineering Course is suggested to lead any M3 trip. Graduation from the Mountaineers Basic, Intermediate or Glacier Travel and Crevasse Rescue course (or equivalency) is required to lead "G" rated glacier trips.

The Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Committee, Seattle Branch

The Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Committee is responsible for developing and teaching ski and snowboard classes and skills related to backcountry winter travel. The Committee also organizes a wide variety of ski and snowboard trips including: Nordic Classic and Skating on prepared tracks; backcountry tours both on and off roads; yo-yo trips to practice turning skills; summit oriented mountaineering trips; and snow camping, hut, lodge and overseas outings. Additionally, the Committee works with the community on issues pertaining to winter sports such as trail access, snowmobile restrictions, ski area development, Avalanche Center funding, etc. The classes and trips sponsored by the Committee emphasize safety, comfort and fun. To view a list of the Committee's primary subcommittees, click the 'Contact Us' section.

The Committee invites all skiers and snowboarders to join in putting on the ski and snowboard program. This is an opportunity to meet other skiers and snowboarders, learn new skills and update old ones by helping teach in our education program. It is also an opportunity to learn about routes, new trips, the best places to ski/ride and all those great private trips that aren't in the Go Guide.

Help is needed with teaching, leading trips, researching new ski and snowboard developments, writing, and computer skills. You DO NOT have to be an expert skier or boarder, a leader or an instructor to join the Committee. The only requirement is that you are slightly addicted to skiing or snowboarding.

The Committee usually meets on the first Monday of each month from September through June, 7:00 p.m., at the Seattle Mountaineers headquarter, 300 Third Ave., West, Seattle just west of the Space Needle).


For more information contact Cindy Hoover at cyn@zipcom.com or before 9:00 p.m. at 206-783-4032