2008 Intermediate Mountaineering Committee:
Chair: Joel Edwards, 253-732-4231, edwards_joel@msn.com
Climbs: TBD, TBD
Critical Skills Co-chair: Dale Hegg, 253-891-1556, cumbre3@comcast.net
Critical Skills Co-chair: Dave Buckland, 253-857-5356, djbdjb@earthlink.net
Lectures: TBD, TBD
Manual: Mike Lund, 425-736-5686, enzolund@yahoo.com
Records: Jim Gawel, 253-752-3547, jimgawel@u.washington.edu
Mentor Coordinator: TBD, TBD
Web Coordinator: Monte Windsor, 253-841-4092, tmc@montewindsor.com
Course Description
The intermediate course teaches skills for climbing at the intermediate level (generally up to 5.6 rock, 55-degree snow and ice and easier mixed). Students will practice snow anchors, belays, emergency shelters, avalanche rescue and use of transceivers. Students will also learn to lead on rock, including how to place protection, build and equalize anchors, swing leads and perform self-rescues. The course teaches various snow and ice skills, including placing ice screws, other ice anchors, German and French technique, and introduces steep (55 degrees) ice climbing. Lectures include expedition planning and high-altitude climbing (up to 20,000’), such as for the Mexican volcanoes and Denali. The emphasis is on alpine climbing and all-around rock, ice and snow technique rather than on developing a high level of technical skill. Intermediate skills can be used on thousands of routes in the Cascades, Sierras, Tetons, Canadian Rockies and other ranges around the world. Skills taught in the course are required to lead technical basic climbs. The course also provides a good foundation for advanced skill development, such as 5.9+ rock, Class 4 ice, difficult mixed climbing and aid climbing. Students complete a two-day qualifier, including basic climbing skills and a conditioner. Course fee is $150 for members and $250 for non-members. Contact Joel Edwards (edwards_joel@msn.com) with questions.
Jan. 17, Thu. - Course Registration and Introduction. At the clubhouse at 7 p.m. The Tacoma Intermediate Climbing Course is open to graduates of the Basic Climbing Course and climbers who meet the standards for basic equivalency. Acceptance into the course is contingent on successful completion of the intermediate qualifier exam. The exam is a comprehensive demonstration of mountaineering knowledge and skills presented in the Basic Climbing Course. During the exam, applicants will be expected to demonstrate and explain sound mountaineering skills such as belay and rappel techniques, navigation and crevasse rescue. Experienced climbers who are not graduates of the Basic Climbing Course may petition for basic equivalency by:
1. Submitting a comprehensive climbing resume to the intermediate climbing chair by Jan. 15. The climbing resume should include courses and climbs that you have done.
2. Attending the Intermediate Course Qualifier Refresher on Jan. 24.
3. Passing the Intermediate Course Qualifier Exam on Jan. 26-27.
Applicants who pass the Intermediate Qualifier Exam have five years to complete the course requirements.
Please contact the Intermediate Committee Chair for more details (e-mail above).
Climb Leader Promotions and Requests for Basic Equivalency: Climbers who would like to be placed on the Intermediate Climbs Leader List or request Basic Equivalency should contact Joel Edwards (edwards_joel@msn.com) for information on submitting the application.
Intermediate Climbs: If you’d like to lead an intermediate climb and are not familiar with the new database, contact Eric Hall (ehall@broadcom.com) for assistance. Check the internet database for current listings: http://imis.mountaineers.org/source/aTrips/TripSelection.cfm
Climbs
Current climbs can be searched using the new Mountaineers web site using the following link: Current Climbs.
Intermediate Climb Definitions:
Intermediate Mountaineering Climb (IM) - Grade II (and some Grade I) climbs, made slightly more difficult by problems of route finding, steep snow and lengthy sections of class 3 or 4 rock, generally recognized as being beyond the Basic level in difficulty.
Intermediate Rock Climb (IR) -- Grade II or higher, usually involving multiple pitches of class 5 or extensive sections of class 4 rock climbing.
Intermediate Glacier/Ice Climb (II) -- Grade II or higher, usually involving extensive sections of 40 degree or steeper, hard snow or ice. You need not have completed an Intermediate climb in order to lead them. On Intermediate climbs, all climbers are expected to participate in route finding and other climb decisions.
When considering the wisdom of leading a climb, remember, the climb leader has the option to turn down potential participants based on assessment of their judgment, climbing skills, and physical conditioning. In selecting climbs, don't neglect winter climbs and early spring trips, especially spring trips to Leavenworth, which are non-credit, but a good way to re-awaken rock climbing skills.
Intermediate Level Climbs Listing
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