Intensive Alpine Scramble Leader Training

This course helps those ready to become leaders to develop skills in a structured course while building a strong group of peers.

Application Process

Please see the application here and read through the entire course listing and application before you decide to apply.  Please reach out to the leader if you have any questions.  Applications are due by 9:00 am on December 29th.

Course Content and requirements for graduation

Upon completion of the course, you will have gained the following 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 equity and inclusion 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
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of ropes & anchors appropriate for a scrambling environment to support a protected downclimb, crampon use, and emergency bivouacs 

Course Structure

• Evening one - Leadership Seminar 
• Evening two - Ropes and Anchors clinic
• Evening three - Trip Planning Seminar
• We will pick a weekday evening to do a follow up seminar in April to discuss any topic the students would like to follow up on.

We will be using Zoom and Google Classroom and keeping the course small to meet Covid-19 guidelines.

In addition to pre-course reading and viewing, leadership topics will be assigned to course participants in advance. Students will be expected to teach that topic to the larger group.  Please plan to spend significant time preparing for the course to get the most out of it and support the rest of the group in their learning goals.  Upon completion of the course, 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. 

Course Prerequisite Badges

In order to receive the Leadership Development: Admin & Logistics badge, please take the Becoming a Mountaineers Leader e-learning course. WEMT, WFR, and MOFA can also full the WFA prerequisite.  

Please note: Graduation from this course does not guarantee a leader badge.   A separate application to the Foothills Scramble Leadership committee and subsequent approval is required to earn your Scramble Leader badge.