2008 ACSC Committee:
Course Chair: Tom Bates, 253-759-3810, tagtacoma@mac.com
Lectures: Committee
Field Trips: Gary Zink, 253-631-4004, garyzink@comcast.net
Critical Skills Evaluations: Mike Bujnowski, 253 850-1806, mikeb@reliancenetwork.com
Mentoring: Peter Elling, peter.elling@gmail.comt
Please note that we have a new course structure this year. Participants in the Alpine Climbing and Scrambles course (ACSC) who plan to take the Basic Rock and Glacier Climbing course (BRGCC) must pass ACSC or have met equivalency prior to participating in the BRGCC. ACSC students who plan to take BRGC in 2008 should sign up for the first session of ACSC that begins on Jan. 23. Both courses can be completed in the same year.
If you enjoy hiking and want to see views from the top of the mountains not served by trails, this course is for you! Most Northwest mountain summits are accessible by scramble routes and in the course you will learn how to reach those non-technical snow and rock summits. The course leads into high-angle roped climbing or glacier travel techniques for those students who would like to continue in Basic Rock and Glacier Climbing. However, graduates of the Alpine Climbing and Scrambles series develop a strong foundation of skills to put to use this year. Comprehensive instruction includes proper equipment and clothing, route finding, avalanche awareness and avoidance, rock and off-trail scrambling, snow travel, ice-ax arrest, glissade techniques and wilderness ethics. The full content will be offered twice to provide students with flexibility.
Jan. 9, Wed. - Information Meeting: If you are unsure about whether you meet the eligibility requirements and/or want more information about the Alpine Climbing and Scrambles course, you should attend an information meeting at the Tacoma Clubhouse, 7 p.m., 2302 N. 30th St.
Representatives of the Basic Rock and Glacier Climbing course will also be there. Attendance at the information meeting is not required; however, junior members (age 15-17), and their parents or guardians must attend.
Eligibility Requirements: You must be a member of The Mountaineers to pay the lower course fee. You can join online at www.mountaineers.org or call 206-284-8484 or 1-800-573-8484. Non-members also may call the Clubhouse Secretary, 253-566-6965, to request a New Member Packet, or download the packet from http://www.mountaineers.org/tacoma/html/info.html Course participants must be at least 14 years old. (Those under 18 must complete the Junior Application Supplement and attend an information night with a parent or legal guardian. To receive the Junior Application Supplement, contact course chair Tom Bates by phone or email.)
This course requires good physical conditioning, a moderate commitment of time and energy, appropriate outdoor gear and clothing, and of course a positive attitude. Hiking experience is helpful but not required.
Registration: You can register for the Alpine Climbing and Scrambles course online at www.mountaineers.org The course size is limited to 100.
Course fees: The fee is $100 for members, $175 for non-members. Refunds are available on a case-by case basis. Course fees include a student manual but do not include the course textbook, membership dues for The Mountaineers, required Navigation and MOFA courses, or equipment and clothing as needed.
Course textbook: Required course reading assignments are in “Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills,” 7th Edition, published by Mountaineers Books and available at The Mountaineers Bookstore in Seattle, by email at bookstore@mountaineers.org, or by phone, 206-284-6310 or 1-800-573-8484. It’s also for sale online at www.mountaineersbooks.org Club members get a 20 percent discount on this book at the Mountaineers Bookstore or www.mountaineersbooks.org The book is available other bookstores and outdoor stores.
About equipment and clothing: Equipment necessary for the course includes a large day pack, sturdy mountaineering boots, crampons, climbing helmet, ice ax, synthetic or wool outdoor clothing, rain gear, first-aid kit, compass, and various other items. Equipment information will be available at the information night on Jan. 9 and at the first lecture.
ACSC schedules: Students can register for Session 1 or Session 2. Students who also plan to take the Basic Rock and Glacier Climbing course in 2008 should select Session 1 of the Alpine Climbing and Scrambles course. The lectures are on Wednesdays in the Tacoma Clubhouse and begin promptly at 7 p.m. and last until approximately 10 p.m. Please arrive at 6:45 p.m. to sign-in and to help with set-up if needed. The one-day field trips are offered on Saturdays and Sundays for scheduling flexibility (except the first field trip which is scheduled on Saturday only). You will also have one required weekend overnight field trip.
Current trips can be searched using the new Mountaineers web site using the following link: Current Trips.
Trips are rated by how strenuous on a 1-5 scale, and on technical difficulty/exposure, also on a 1-5 scale. For example, a 5-3 rating indicates an extremely strenuous trip with an average amount of technical difficulty/exposure.
Alpine Scrambling Climb and Outing Definitions:
Alpine scrambles are strenuous, but non-technical, outings involving off-trail travel and possibly ice axes. They are generally summit oriented with considerable class 2 or 3 climbing, or equally exposed snow slopes. Scrambles do not involve travel over glaciers, exposed rock (4th-class or higher) or other places where roped protection is called for. Scrambles often visit many of the same destinations as technical climbs. Students and graduates of the Alpine Scrambles and Climbing courses, or those with equivalency status are invited to participate in club scrambles.
Multi-credit climbs:
Alpine Scrambling students may receive up to two climb credits for a multiple summit trip if the summits are climbed on separate days. There is a limit of one multi-credit climb toward graduation requirements per student.
Leaders are sought for both the required course conditioners and follow-up outings.