Intermediate Leading On Rock

Course Description

The Everett Leading on Rock Course (LOR) is a single course within the Everett Intermediate Climbing Program (ICC). LOR teaches all of the skills needed to build a climbing protection system using trad gear on 5th class rock routes.  Students will learn to place trad gear, evaluate the strength and security of placements, appropriately space gear, extend placements and make omnidirectional pieces.  They will also learn to build anchors on gear, utilize natural protection, build belay stations, and bring followers up to the belay.  Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be qualified to serve as rope leaders on Basic Mountaineers Rock Climbs and instruct at intermediate rock field trips.  They will also be well prepared to pursue multi-pitch alpine rock objectives in the Cascades and beyond.

Application

This course requires an application and official acceptance prior to registration. You can find the application here. 

Applications will be accepted October 1st through November 1st, 2025. 

Prerequisites

All applicants are required to have successfully completed the Basic Climbing Course (BCC) and are expected to attend the Everett Basic Climbing Course Instructor Review (IR) on January 10th at the Seattle Program Center in order to be considered. 

Applying for LOR does not register you for IR, you will need to register for this event on your own here.

Volunteer & Community Experience

 The Mountaineers is a volunteer organization. Our intermediate courses include participants with recent volunteer experience, especially within the Everett Branch. Our programs require individuals who are willing to give back by instructing or supporting Everett climbing courses and committees. If you are a new graduate, we welcome you to join us in volunteering, finding ways to get involved, and helping to ensure the success of our courses for years to come.

Commitment 

Class starts in March with two weekend days of introductory  skills and review. All applying students should know that it is a requirement to attend all course events in order to graduate. Please keep this in mind as you complete the application. As instructors, we want ensure that you have the best experience possible where you can learn to climb safely. A big part of accomplishing that goal is your participation and your commitment to the class, your fellow students, and the instructors,

Course activities 

Dates and details found under the course requirements tab below

• 2 days of introductory  skills and review
• 2 evenings of basic self-rescue instruction
• 4 field trip weekend sessions at various PNW crag/climbing sites

Skill assessment

• Attend the Everett Basic Climbing Course Instructor Review (IR) for basic skill assessment
• Receive "Satisfactory" or better marks on all all skills at the LOR 3 field trip
• Demonstrate safe practices while completing the Capstone Climb at the LOR 4 field trip

COURSE READING & Materials

• Each activity within the course will have assigned reading and materials to review. All reading and material review is required prior to each activity.
• This includes but is not limited to: reading assigned chapters within select climbing books, reviewing route/crag descriptions, watching videos, and reviewing field trip outlines. 

Volunteer assistance 

• Volunteer assistance at the Everett BCC Rock 1 field trip March 21st
• Volunteer assistance at the Everett BCC Rock 2 field trip April 18th/19th

Graduation requirements 

• At least 3 experience climbs 
• 1 Stewardship Credit
• Completion of the online Foundation's of Leadership Course and Foundation's of Instruction Course

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

The Everett Climbing Committee is committed to building and fostering a representative climbing community that reflects the spaces in which we live and recreate. We recognize that outdoor recreation has historically excluded communities of color, women, and LGBTQ people. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other underrepresented communities. 

Scholarships

We don't want the course fees to be a barrier to entry or participation. If they are, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship. Scholarship information is kept strictly private and is not shared with course leads or instructors. 

Apply for a scholarship at the time of submitting your application (now), as it takes time to process.