Intensive Alpine Scramble Leader Training

Scramble Leaders require a broad mix of skills to safely lead scrambles on behalf of the Mountaineers.  This course is an intensive training program to help new scramble graduates interested in becoming leaders develop those skills in a structured course to accelerate their ability to qualify as a leader.  While everyone interested in becoming a leader from any branch is welcome to apply, we specifically encourage women, minority, and LGBTQ mountaineers as we seek to diversify our leadership team.  

A prospective leader must maintain current Wilderness Navigation and Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent) certifications, be a current member with a signed waiver, and aged 21 or over.

The course includes a weekend workshop at Meany Lodge.  Students are responsible for their own lodging cost for two nights at Meany.  

Course Content and requirements for graduation

Upon completion of the course, you will meet or exceed the following Scramble Leader skills and knowledge:

• Group Management and Outdoor Leadership: Knowledge of leadership skills and group dynamics including the following topics: leadership styles, conflict management/de-escalation, decision making, crisis management, communication, expedition behavior and gender/minorities in the outdoors.
• Trip Planning and Facilitation: Knowledge of Mountaineer's policies and process for scheduling and managing an activity, route selection and trip planning, participant screening, and emergency planning including risk management with contingency plans and emergency response during a crisis
• Experience: Not less than ten scrambles with a mix of rock and snow of sufficient difficulty to demonstrate both skills and fitness (these do not need to be Mountaineers sponsored activities and can be completed during this course) with at least five of those in a leadership role with different mentors/leaders
• Instructional Skills: Familiarity with Mountaineer's scrambling curriculum and experience instructing at two of the three Mountaineer's scrambling course field trips (rock, snow or experience)
• Technical Skills: Scrambling or Basic Climbing Graduate (or equivalent), knowledge of ropes & anchors appropriate for a scrambling environment to support a protected downclimb, crampon use and emergency bivouacs 

Course Structure

Students will spend an intensive weekend at Meany Lodge from Friday night to Sunday during which we will cover:

• Friday evening - Course Introduction and Requirements, Participant and Leadership Roles, Emergency Bivy Lecture
• Saturday morning - Leadership Part I
• Saturday early afternoon - Ropes and Anchors clinic
• Saturday late afternoon - Leadership Part II & Scenarios
• Saturday evening - Emergency Bivy Exercise
• Sunday morning - Policies & procedures, route selection, planning, participant screening, and instructional skills (learning styles)
• Sunday early afternoon - Operational leadership (on the trip), Leader self-care 

In addition to reading the required texts, leadership topics will be assigned to course participants in advance and you will be expected to teach that topic to the larger group.  Help and materials will be provided by instructors, but please plan to spend significant time preparing for this weekend to get the most out of it and support the rest of the group in their learning goals.  Upon completion of this weekend you will earn the Outdoor Leadership course badge.  

Each student will develop an individual learning plan to fulfill the other requirements of the course including experience instructing at field trips and leading scrambles.  Once the learning plan is completed and students can meet all of the course requirements, students will apply for graduation and earn the Alpine Scrambles  and Leadership course badge.  

Please note: Graduation from this course does not guarantee a leader badge.  Although all required skills are taught, it is up to the student to internalize and apply them in the field.  A separate application to the branch Scramble Leadership committee and subsequent approval is required to earn your Scramble Leader badge.