The Mountaineers have trips all year-
you can become involved by planning trips, leading trips or participating
in trips.
Trips have many different goals- some of difficult and require
great technical knowledge; others are simpler and do not require as many advanced skills.
Some require approval of the leader. When you see a trip listed in the
Go-Guide, you will see certain symbols that
reference the different requirements and types of trips. Below is a legend for these
symbols and abbreviations.
Nordic trips [N level]
N level trips do not require specific training for participation. You must carry the ten
essentials and other equipment necessary for an overnight bivouac.
N level trips |
Mi. |
Elev gain |
Effort |
Skills |
N1*, instructional |
3 - 6 |
minimal |
easy |
beginner |
N1, basic |
4 - 8 |
0 - 500' |
easy |
minimal |
N2, advanced basic |
6 - 10 |
1000' |
moderate |
balance, kick & glide, snowplow, braking |
N3, intermediate |
7 - 12 |
1500' |
harder |
kick turn & traverse, side slipping |
N4, advanced |
10 - 15+ |
> 2000' |
strenuous |
reliable control, turns and stops |
Mountain trips [M level]
Required equipment includes skis or snowboard with full-length metal edges,
457 kHz avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, shovel, climbing
skins.
M level trips |
Mi. |
Elev gain |
Skills |
Training |
M1* |
5 - 10 |
1500' |
n4 level or beginning tele or alpine (green ski runs) |
avalanche safety |
M1 |
5 - 15 |
> 1500' |
intermediate (blue ski runs) |
avalanche safety |
M2 |
8 - 20 |
> 2500' |
advanced (single diamond ski runs) |
avalanche safety |
M2G (glacier) |
8 - 20 |
> 2500' |
advanced (single diamond ski runs) |
avalanche safety, glacier travel |
M3 |
8 - 20 |
> 2500' |
expert (double diamond runs) |
avalanche safety, ice axe + alpine experience |
M3G (glacier) |
8 - 20 |
> 2500' |
expert (double diamond runs) |
ski mountaineering course or alpine experience + glacier travel + avalanche safety |
Training equivalencies and expectations
Avalanche safety: met by basic avalanche class or equivalent.
Glacier travel: met by glacier travel & crevasse rescue course or basic
climbing course or equivalent.
Ice axe: met by scrambling or basic climbing course.
Alpine experience: met by leader's permission.
Students taking a full course may request equivalency for any class if they think they
already have sufficient proficiency in the subject. You must complete a
"Request for Equivalency" form available as hard copy or in electronic format from the link
below, and submit it to the appropriate course chair for verification. For some subjects,
you will be asked to instruct to receive final equivalency. Course fees will not be reduced
by the cost of any class for which you are granted equivalency.
There is a general form used to request course equivalency. Download the form here as a
Microsoft Word Document
It is possible you may be able to go on a trip even if you have not formally taken the
pre-requisite courses if you have other equivalant experience or training.
If you already have equivalency for courses, then this should already be registered in
the main database with the Mountaineers. You simply need to sign up by calling the main
line and they can help you.
Unlike classes, for trips, you should contact the individual leaders and discuss your
background with them. If they approve you, they will help make sure the main computer
is updated accordingly.
The general form used in classes when requesting equivalency is discussed just above. While
it is not directly used in signing up for trips, it may help trip leaders make a decision
as to whether they will allow you to go.