Alpine Scrambling Equivalency

If you already have the skills to scramble safely, then you don't need to take our Scramble Course – you can skip the course through our “equivalency” process. We love having people join our community who have gained the requisite skills through other local or even distant organizations. We have well-qualified members that scrambled or climbed in the Rockies, New England and internationally. But because of the inherent personal risks of scrambling and the danger to all party members from having an inadequately trained member along on a trip, we have a rigorous process for obtaining equivalency.  If this sounds like the route for you, please contact our Equivalency Coordinators Andy Cahn at AndyCahn@gmail.com and Ellen Passloff at Passloff@comcast.net. 

PROCESS FOR SEATTLE SCRAMBLE EQUIVALENCY

• Prospective candidates seeking equivalency will contact the scramble equivalency coordinators and provide a scrambling resume, describing a minimum of five unguided off-trail summits, illustrating skills in both snow travel with ice axe as well as experience on non-technical rock.
• Coordinator will review the resume and, if approved, schedule an equivalency skills evaluation.  This full day field trip occurs typically in late May or early June.  Participants will demonstrate safe snow travel skills such as how to use an ice axe to self-belay, to arrest a slip (in all positions), and to  glissade.  Participants will also demonstrate safe rock travel skills, off-trail navigation skills, and sufficient stamina to climb 3000 feet in a day.  Lastly, we will learn about and practice the protected downclimb technique.  Date of this skills day is TBD.  
• After successful completion of the skills test, the prospective applicant will be granted a scramble student badge, which allows them to go on regular season scrambles. Just like any scramble student, they will then have until Nov 1 of the following year to successfully complete three Club scramble trips (at least one of which is rock and one of which is snow). 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Complete the Wilderness Navigation course  by June 1.  This is a separate course with its own fees and scheduling. 
• Complete the Wilderness First Aid course. This is a separate course with its own fees and scheduling, however with no explicit timeline. 
• Complete the online Low Impact Recreation quiz.
• Complete a full day Stewardship event.  The Mountaineers is a volunteer organization and we strive to create a community that gives back to our shared world.

Fees: 

• $75, includes a protected downclimb kit, which will be provided at the skills evaluation day.

REGISTRATION TIMELINE:

• Equivalency Student Registration Opens: Dec 15
  
• Cancellation: Refund less $10 before May 1
  • No Refund after May 1