Climb Leader Development Program

A vital part of the Mazamas mission is to provide climbing opportunities for Mazamas members and non-members. These climbs depend on the volunteer efforts of climb leaders. The history of the Mazamas is one of a proud tradition of volunteerism, leading climbs in the Northwest and beyond for well over a century. While the Mazamas are not a guide service, all climb leaders receive training at the highest standards. This training is monitored and encouraged through the Mazamas Climb Leader Development Program.  The purpose of the Leadership Development Program is to provide sufficient training and learning opportunities for the development of climb leaders for Mazama activities.

A leader is a member whose skills and experience are considered to be adequate for assuming the formal leadership role for an activity. The leader is NOT a commercial guide and Mazamas provides no certification to a leader. Leaders have some expenses reimbursed, but are NOT paid for their role.

A leader is expected to have sufficient technical skills in mountaineering to comfortably complete the routes he/she leads.  Required skill levels will vary depending on the difficulty of routes the leader wants to climb.

A leader is expected to have both studied and demonstrated in the field basic accident management and rescue skills appropriate to the climb being led. First aid skills appropriate to mountaineering are required.

Experience is a key element for a qualified leader. As a general rule, a climber is expected to have completed at least a dozen climbs before applying to the program.  No list of criteria alone is sufficient to ensure any individual is appropriate to be a leader for the Mazamas. The Climbing Committee will always use their judgment in appointing leaders. 

The Mazamas climb leadership development program is designed to:

• Provide opportunities for candidates to develop leadership skills and additional mountaineering experience.
• Increase candidates visibility within the Mazamas, increasing opportunities to meet as many leaders and members as possible.
• Allow the maximum number of leaders to view and critique the climbing and leadership skills of the candidate.
• Provide a standardized review base for evaluating a candidate’s leadership development; ensuring the level of leadership proficiency expected by the Mazamas.

Learn More about Becoming an “A” Level Mazamas Climb Leader

Learn More about Becoming a full Mazamas Climb Leader