Chair:
Christine Burris, christineburris@centurytel.net

Equivalency:
Michael Everett, mikeedvm@aol.com

Trip Planning:
Bob Hankinson, bob@nicecow.com

Basic Class:
Laurie Davis, laurieinseattle@hotmail.com
Andy Garrett, agarrett@centurytel.net
Karen Macmillan, kmcnalla@us.ibm.com

Basic Course Registration and Payments:
David Savory, southacres@yahoo.co

Pool Sessions & Roll Class:
Gary Peniston, ghpghp@earthlink.net

To participate in Mountaineers-sponsored kayak trips, you must be a graduate or continuing student of this course or have received equivalency. However, no prior sea kayaking knowledge or experience is required to participate in this course. Single kayaks are required throughout the course. If you do not own or have access to a sea kayak with bulkheads or appropriate kayak01flotation, you will need to rent one on four occasions in order to complete the class (see below). You will also be required to wear a dry suit for the open water session and some club-sponsored paddles. If you do not own a dry suit, they will be available for rent.

Enrollment Process: Registration will begin January 1st Enrolment is limited to 32 the course typically fills promptly, so please register early. Contact Dave Savory email southacres@yahoo.co ph: 253-221-5690

Course Structure and Schedule: The course consists of three classroom sessions, one pool session, and two open water sessions. Students must also complete two club paddles by Sept. 30, 2008 to graduate. Attendance on all course dates listed below is required. Please review the course dates carefully and confirm that your schedule will permit you to attend all sessions. If you cannot commit to all these dates, you will not be able to complete the course and graduate.

kayak02April 24th 6:30 to 9:30 PM Classroom Session #1. Pierce County Environmental Services Bldg.

April 27th 12:00PM to 5PM Pool Session at Clover Park High School Pool.

April 29th 6:30 to 9:30 PM Classroom Session #2. Pierce County Environmental Serviced Bldg.

May 1st 6:30 to 9:30 PM Classroom Session #3. Pierce County Environmental Serviced Bldg.

May 3rd all day Lake session #1 American Lake Beach

May 4th all day Lake session #2 American Lake Beach

Graduation Requirements: Successfully complete the following by Sept. 30, 2007:

* Attend all four classroom sessions in their entirety
* Successfully complete the pool session, including 50 yd swim without flotation. NOTE: You must have adequate physical ability to re-enter a capsized boat
* Successfully complete the open water sessions, demonstrating cold water exit and boat re-entry
* Successfully complete two club-sponsored paddles, one of which must be at least four hours on saltwater

Course fee: The course fee is $195 payable upon registration, with an extra $50.00 for Non Mountaineer Members. The fee covers boat and equipment rental for the pool session, guest lecturers during the classroom sessions, and some classroom materials. No refunds will be made after the course starts.

Additional costs: For the open water session, each student is required to have a single sea kayak with approved flotation or bulkheads, a PFD, a paddle, a paddle float and a dry suit. For those needing to rent a boat, and or dry suit, arrangements will be made to have kayaks and dry suits brought to the open water session. Students will be required to pay for this equipment separately from the course fee.kayak03

For the two club-sponsored paddles, students will be responsible for providing their own boats. Those who do not own or have access to a single kayak with bulkheads or appropriate floatation will need to rent one. Single kayaks are required throughout the course because kayak skills are best learned in singles. While the club will schedule some qualifying trips at locations where rentals are available, it will be the student’s responsibility to arrange for a rental for each trip. Students will also be responsible for transporting boats to and from the launch site if rentals are
not available there. Any questions concerning the course may be directed to:

Laurie Davis.........…...laurieinseattle@hotmail.com, ph: 206-403-6924
Andy Garrett ……………….agarrett@centurytel.net, ph: 253-858-4090
Karen McNallan………..….. kmcnalla@us.ibm.com, ph: 253-564-9821

Eskimo roll class:

The Eskimo roll is not just a parlor trick; it’s a VERY handy tool! Your confidence level will improve greatly when you know you can recover from a capsize. You don't have to be a "super athlete," you just need some good instruction. Our class meets three times: Sundays on February 3, 10 and 17, from 1 till 3pm, at Clover Park High School , 10903 Gravelly Lake Dr SW , Lakewood . There are no prerequisites, and this class is open to youngsters of any age, as long as we can find a boat small enough. Parents need to call me (Gary) about other details and requirements. If your own boat is properly fitted, you can use it. Otherwise, we'll bring one for you (again, call Gary ). Cost is $90 for all three days, $115 for non-Mountaineer members. We limit the class size to 15, so sign up early for this popular-and FUN- class. Call or email Gary Peniston, 253-851-8348 or ghpghp@earthlink.net for more details and equipment checklist.
Eskimo roll class instructor training:

If you'd like to help out with the roll class this year, come on down to the training day on Sunday, January 27, from 1 till 2pm, at Clover Park High School . We'll follow the training with pool play from 2 till 4. We'll be using the very successful methods taught to us by Mik Mikitik from Gig Harbor Kayak Center , plus a couple of new twists that I've found have worked well. Learn the three essential principles for teaching ANY physical skill. You don't actually have to be able to roll yourself to be able to help. Call or email Gary Peniston at 253-851-8348 or ghpghp@earthlink.net for your homework assignment.

Chairs:
Amy Mann, 253-759-2796, agmann@comcast.net

Mountaineers trips, led by volunteer leaders, are group activities, intended to provide a mix of exercise, enjoyment of our wilderness backyard, and an opportunity to spend the day with like-minded people. For the safety of the group, it is Mountaineers Policy to leave inadequately clothed or shod hikers, or unprepared hikers at the Trail head. Dress appropriately for the weather, both as you expect it to be and as you hope it won’t be. Lug Sole Boots are a must, as is rain gear. In the interest of avoiding hypothermia, cotton (including jeans) is not acceptable hiking attire unless you carry polypro to change into in the event that you get wet mid-hike. (This would be in addition to the extra clothing you need to carry in the event of an unexpected overnight bivouac.) Everyone is responsible for carrying the 10 Essentials (see page one of the Go Guide) and being familiar with the map of the area before the trip. Carpooling to the trail head is voluntary but environmentally desirable, with riders reimbursing the driver (12 cents/mile). A stop for pie or soup on the way home often rounds out the day. Guests are welcome, but must have signed waivers on file. Waivers can be signed on line, at the main club web site, www.mountaineers.org, which is also where you will find a complete listing of all Tacoma hikes and backpacks.

Trip Classifications (may change due to trail conditions)

o (E) Easy: Up to 8 mi., RT, up to 1200' elevation gain
o (M) Moderate: Up to 12 mi., 1200'-2500' gain
o (S) Strenuous: Up to 14 mi., 1500'-3500' gain
o (VS) Very Strenuous: Over 14 mi. and/or more than 3500' gain.

New Leader Mentoring Program: New hike leaders are always welcome. Leading that first trip is a big step. Make it a small step with our Mentor Program. Contact Catherine for information on how to get started leading Tacoma trips.

Chair:
Maureen Brekke at 253-549-4245
Kris Paynter at 253-759-4861

Family Activities has been established to have fun doing outdoor activities with our children of all ages. We have been hiking, camping and had fun in the snow. Currently planned activities for 2007/2008 include hikes in Oct., Nov., and Dec., snow play and snowshoeing in Jan. and Feb. Be sure to check-out the Go-Guide for the latest dates and times or do an on-line search for family activities at the Mountaineers web-site. We look forward to having you join us soon!

Guidelines for participation: All children must be supervised and accompanied by an adult for the entire duration of the activity. Children may not be dropped off alone. Adults are responsible for bringing all food, beverages, weather-appropriate clothing and the 10 essentials (as appropriate) for their family members. Be on time in meeting the group at designated meeting places. The group leader may decide to leave without you if you are more than 15 minutes late. If you have signed up for an activity and need to cancel your attendance, please alert the activity leader ahead of time. Stick with the group for safety reasons. If you need to take a break for a while, or leave the activity due to issues with a child, please alert the leader so the leader is aware of everyone's whereabouts.

Non-Mountaineer members are welcome to attend up to two outings. After two outings, membership in The Mountaineers must be established to continue participating. All non-members must provide a signed waiver to the leader to participate. All participants will be asked to sign and provide a medical waiver for each child on the outing.

Please join us for events scheduled by the Tacoma Family Activities leaders. These trips are a perfect opportunity to have a weekend adventure with your kids and to meet other Mountaineers members with children. Register for trips online, www.mountaineers.org.

Chair:
Jeanette Higgins, 360-893-3227, creativemfg1@aol.com
Jim Eustace, 253-752-6747, je2ski@aol.com

Registration:
Angela McKee, 253-460-0727

Mountaineering Oriented First Aid (MOFA) is a 30-hour first aid course for the wilderness traveler. The course consists of lecture, demonstration & practical experience, and includes Red Cross Adult CPR & First Aid certification. MOFA instructors are club volunteers who are also certified Red Cross Instructors. Two or more instructors teach each class, with final practical exams evaluated by 3 other instructors. Our make-up artists add a lot of realism to the final exercise by outfitting our many volunteer victims with simulated injuries. No previous First Aid or climbing experience is required. Register early as classes fill up quickly.

Our MOFA Refresher Course is condensed into 20 hours and provides full MOFA re-certification including Red Cross Adult CPR & First Aid. It is open to folks who have taken MOFA within the past 5 years. Those with advanced medical training may be considered for the Refresher on an individual basis in lieu of taking the full MOFA course.

Course Attendance: Participation is required at all class sessions. The class involves hands-on, interactive learning building on skills learned in previous sessions. Wear casual clothes suitable for working on the ground and outdoors. Arrangements cannot be made to make up class sessions. Please do not register for a class unless you can attend all class sessions.

Registration: Call Angela McKee, 253-460-0727, to sign up. Upon confirmation, send your check (payable to The Mountaineers) c/o Angela, 6216 – 51st Street Ct W, University Place, WA 98467 to finalize your registration. Course fees: $75 members, $95 non-members. If you are interested in taking CPR/First Aid apart from MOFA, please contact Jeanette or Angela.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations accepted up to 1 week prior to start of class without penalty. After that, we can only try to fill your slot from the wait list. No-shows will forfeit registration.