Leader Badges
Leader Badges acknowledge our members' initiative, skill, and donation of time to our organization. Typically, members take courses, enhance their skills, and then "pay it forward" by leading activities and coordinating or teaching courses, clinics and seminars!
Here are the leader badges that describe the skills of our leaders who have met our training and leadership qualifications. Please contact us at info@mountaineers.org if you have any questions or suggestions.
Advisory Council
The Mountaineers appreciates the careful thought and time given by members of the Advisory Council, a group of experts from our community who share a passion for our mission.
Alpine Ambassadors
Alpine Ambassadors is a group of climbers looking to push their limits together, learn from the mentorship of guides and highly accomplished climbers, and mentor others. The group is comprised of leaders from all branches with climbing programs.
Alpine Scramble Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved by the leaders of their branch's Alpine Scramble Committee to lead alpine scrambles for The Mountaineers. Scrambles are trips with off-trail travel and a summit destination.
Alpine Scramble Leadership Course
This badge represents successful completion of The Alpine Scramble Leadership Course. Alpine Scramble or Basic Climbing course graduates that have continued their climbing education and/or raised their leadership skills have completed this course.
Assistant Canyon Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved by their branch's Canyon Committee to play the role of Assistant Canyon Leader on Mountaineers Canyon Trips.
Backcountry Ski Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead backcountry ski trips for The Mountaineers.
Backcountry Trail Run Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved as a trail run leader for The Mountaineers.
Backpack Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead backpacking trips for The Mountaineers.
Basic Snowshoe Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead beginner and basic snowshoe activities for The Mountaineers.
Board of Directors
Members of the Board of Directors serve the organization by offering strategic direction and insight, and by providing financial and legal oversight. They offer their time and expertise, their financial support, and they serve as ambassadors of The Mountaineers in their communities.
Canyon Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved by the leaders of their branch's Canyon Committee to lead canyoning trips for The Mountaineers. Canyoning trips are trips with off-trail travel and technical, often roped, descent of a watercourse.
Climb Leader
Climb Leaders can lead any type of alpine climb that is within their technical abilities. This leader can lead any type of climb available. This is the only leader that can run climbs involving any combination of significant rock, glacier, and snow travel. This includes the “Alpine Climb” trip type on the website.
Climbing Conditioning Leader
The Climbing Conditioning Leader runs hiking conditioners for climbing students on trails and non-technical terrain no more than a few hours from the car. The Climbing Conditioning Leader is not a leader for the hiking committee and cannot run hiking trips without a separate Hike Leader badge.
Climbing Snow Conditioning Leader
The Climbing Snow Conditioning Leader is an extension of the Climbing Conditioning Leader. This leader runs trips on snow in low-risk terrain with minimal avalanche concerns. The Snow Leader helps students with conditioning, learning to travel confidently in snow and use snow and glacier gear properly.
Cross-Country Ski Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead cross-country ski trips for The Mountaineers.
Fire Lookout Crew Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead fire lookout and related trail maintenance activities for The Mountaineers.
Frontcountry Trail Run Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved as a trail run leader for The Mountaineers.
Future Climb Leader Training Seminar
This badge represents successful completion of the Future Climb Leader Training Seminar.
Glacier Leader
Glacier Leaders can lead glacier climbs that are within their technical abilities and can include basic students and other novices in their groups. This leader cannot lead any climbs involving significant rock travel.
Glacier Rope Lead
Glacier Rope Leads function as assistant leaders on glacier climbs that are within their technical abilities. Rope leads are typically in charge of a rope team on climbs.
Global Adventures Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead Global Adventures trips for The Mountaineers. Global Adventures is a program that offers multi-day adventures beyond the Pacific Northwest, both domestic and abroad.
Hike Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved as a hike leader for The Mountaineers.
Intermediate Snowshoe Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead all snowshoe activities, including intermediate snowshoe activities, for The Mountaineers.
Naturalist Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead Naturalist-related activities for The Mountaineers.
Naturalist Leadership Training Course
The holder of this badge has successfully completed our Naturalist Leadership Training course
Outdoor Center Host
The holder of this badge has been approved to host guests and members at Mountaineers Outdoor Centers.
Outdoor Leadership Course
This badge represents successful completion of our Outdoor Leadership Course.
Peer Glacier Leader
Peer Glacier Leaders can coordinate glacier climbs that are within their technical abilities for intermediate students and above, but not for basic students, graduates, or other novice climbers. The purpose of this role is for aspiring leaders to develop their skills and grow as leaders without taking on the responsibility of leading those with little experience.
Peer Rock Leader
Peer Rock Leaders can coordinate rock climbs that are within their technical abilities for intermediate students and above, but not for basic students, graduates, or other novice climbers. The purpose of this role is for aspiring leaders to develop their skills and grow as leaders without taking on the responsibility of leading those with little experience.
Photography Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead photography-related trips and activities for The Mountaineers.
Qualified Youth Leader
This badge represents successful completion of a background check and education about mandatory reporting, child abuse/neglect, and principles of safe supervision.
Rock Leader
Rock Leaders can lead alpine rock climbs that are within their technical abilities and can include basic students and other novices in their groups. This leader cannot lead any climbs involving glacier or significant snow travel.
Rock Rope Lead
Rock Rope Leads function as assistant leaders on alpine rock climbs that are within their technical abilities. Rope leads are typically in charge of a rope team on climbs.
Sea Kayak Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead Sea Kayak trips for The Mountaineers
Skipper
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead sailing trips for The Mountaineers.
Snowshoe Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead snowshoe activities for The Mountaineers.
Sport Climb Leader
The Sport Climb Leader runs single pitch sport climbing trips. They must be able to lead and manage all aspects of the sport climbing crag experience, including anchor setup and cleaning, rope management, rappels, belaying, and an ability to manage groups with little to no experience in a sport climbing setting.
Stewardship Leader
The holder of this badge has been trained in skills that advance the stewardship mission of The Mountaineers.
The Mountaineers Leader of the Year
This org-wide award recognizes Mountaineers leaders who have gone above-and-beyond to get our members outside through their trips!
Trad Climb Leader
The leader runs single pitch traditional climbing trips. They must be able to lead and manage all aspects of the trad climbing crag experience, including the use of gear anchors and cleaning, rope management, rappels, belaying, use of traditional protection systems, and an ability to manage groups with little to no experience in a trad climbing setting.
Trail Crew Leader
The holder of this badge has been approved to lead trail maintenance activities for The Mountaineers.