Olympia Branch Mountaineers

Activity Listings

Snowshoeing

Basic Experience Climbing

Experience Scrambling

Climbing

Club Climbs

Hiking

Family Activities

Skiing

Service Activities

Singles

Activities Hotline

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing Classifications:

Easy (E): 0-500' gain; 6 mi. RT maximum.

Moderate (M): 500-2000' gain; 10 mi. RT maximum; ice axe and training in its use required.

Strenuous (S): 2000'+; no maximum distance; ice axe plus training required Must be a graduate or a student of Winter Travel or Scrambling or Basic Climbing Course.

Winter Scrambles(WS): Must be a scrambling or Basic Climbing graduate, or "equivalent", ice axe required.

Required Equipment: Crampons and/or avalanche beacons may be required by the leader. Ten essentials and wool or synthetic pile clothing are required on all trips. Rope may be required on S and WS trips. People who are not properly equipped will not be allowed to go. All drivers must carry chains and a snow shovel. Riders are expected to assist in putting on chains, pushing, digging the car out, etc.

Climbing

1996 Climbing Committee

Leadership of the Committee for 1997 includes:

   
     Climbing Chair        Joe Hyer,          360-956-1699
     Scrambling Chair      Steve Hyer,        360-943-0969
     Secretary             Bill Ware          360-866-9567

Other members of the Committee are:

Steve Hyer, Jr
Annie Callaghan
Steve Payne
Russ Gilsdorf
Tom Keller
Randy Thorn
Ron Raff
Tom Whitney
Tom Pearson
Marilyn Miller
Marianne Wagner
Ralph Blankenship
Mike Rossow
Dana Behens
Steve Lerch
Richard Muse
Vicky Sheldon

The Committee members have taken on the following tasks:


Basic Climbing
Course Chair           Russ Gilsdorf
Lecture Cord.          Ron Raff
Leaders Manual         Mike Rossow
Club climbs            Vicky Sheldon
Critical skills        Steve Hyer, Jr.
Equipment              Tom Keller
Equivalency and
extension requests     Joe Hyer
Experience climbs      Vicky Sheldon
Field trips            Marilyn Miller 
Course manual          Dana Behrns
Mentor program         Steve Hyer, Jr.
Records, policies      Steve Lerch
Special Events         Steve Payne

If you would like to help with any aspect of the climbing or scrambling courses or other related activities for the year, please call Joe Hyer or the person who has the lead for the activity that interests you.

Basic Experience Climbs, coordinator, Vicky Sheldon, 360-866-9498

Experience climbs are scheduled primarily for Basic Climbing Course students to complete course requirements. Experience climbs are also open to Mountaineer members who are Basic Climbing Course graduates, Intermediate Climbing Course students and graduates, as well as basic climbing equivalents.
Sign up directly with the climb leader no later than two days before a climb if it is on a weekday and by Thursday if it is on a weekend. Boots and clothing appropriate for the season and weather conditions, along with the Ten Essentials and the climbing equipment identified by the climb leader, are required. USGS maps are 7.5 minute unless otherwise noted. Contact the leader forthe other useful and appropriate maps.

Climb classifications:

(A) Alpine

(G) Glacer

(R) Rock

Aug. 9-11, Sat-Sun.- Eldorado, Cascade Pass Rt. (G) C-3 (USGS Eldorado Peak & Forbidden Peak) 8868'; 5900' gain. Limit 9, 6 students. Greg Starling, 360-745-7102.

Aug. 9-11, Sat-Mon.- Mt. Anderson, Flypaper Pass (G) C-3 (USGS Mt. Steel, 15 min) 7321'; 6100' gain. Limit 9, 6 students. Greg Tudor, 360-956-9311.

Aug 10, Sun.- Mt. Appleton, Appleton Pass, So. ridge (A) C-2 (USGS Mt. Carrie) Limit 8, 6 students. Juliana Boxer, 360-866-7094.

Club Climbs

Club climbs vary from nontechnical ascents to high angle rock and ice. Depending upon the classification, they are open to Alpine Scramble graduates, Basic Climbing course graduates, basic equivalents, and Intermediate Climbing Course students and graduates. Sign up directly with the leader. For additional information and required equipment, contact the leader.

Club climb Classifications:

(IM) Intermediate alpine/mountaineering

(IR) Intermediate rock

(I) Intermediate ice

(BR) Basic rock

(BG) Basic glacier

(BA) Basic alpine/mountaineering (scrambling grads O.K. on some)
Club climb coordinator: Vicky Sheldon, 360-866-9498

Aug. 8-11, Fri-Mon.- Mt. Challenger, Mt. Challenger Glacier (G & R) C-5 (USGS Mt. Challenger) Limit 6. Tim Gregg, 360-491-2755.

Aug. 16, Sat.- Chair Peak, E. Buttress (R) C-4 (USGS Snoqualmie Pass) 6238'; 300' gain. Limit 6. Steve Payne, 360-754-8397.

Alpine Scrambling

Alpine scrampling trips are off-trail, often on snow or rock, with a non-technical summit as a destination. They are scheduled primarily for Scrambling Course students to complete course requirements.Trips are also open to Mountaineer members who are scrambling or basic climbing graduates (or equivalents) and intermeadiate climbing students or graduates.
Sign up and arrange carpooling with the leader no later than two days before the trip if it is on a weekday and by Thursday if the trip is on a weekend. Boots and clothing appropriate for the season and weather conditions, along with the Ten Essentials and the equipment identified by the scramble leader, are required. USGS maps listed are 7.5 minute, unless otherwise noted. Contact the leader for other useful and appropriate maps.

Scramble classifications:

(RS) Rock Scramble

(SS) Snow Scramble

Some classifications may change due to season, change in route, etc. Those scramblers requiring credit for a certain classification should verify with the leader. Scrambles coordinator: Steve Hyer, 360-943-0969

Aug. 10, Sun.- Mt. Appleton, Appleton Pass, So. (RS) C-2 (USGS Mt. Carrie) Limit 8, 6 students. Juliana Boxer, 360-866-7094.

Hiking

Family Activities

We plan outings that appeal to all ages, from babes in backpacks to teens, including hiking, biking, canoeing, snow play, and car camping. We are willing to do activities on the spur of the moment, so if you would like company on a family outing give one of us a call to put you in touch with others who might like to join you. If you would like to organize and lead an activity, call Claudia Johnson, 360-748-1912, or Jeff and Monica White, 360-352-2648.

July 18-20, Fri-Sun.- Car Camp Ike Kinswa State Park on Mayfield Lake. Claudia Johnson, 360-748-1912.

Service Activities

Advance notice of work parties for the Mt. Ellinor Trail: July 12 and 19. Details later. Please reserve one or both weekends to participate in one of the Branch's major service projects.

Activities Hotline

Do you need information on unlisted activities or do you want to lead one? Call Grace or Roy Teague. 360-943-2352.

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