Spring is on the way.
Gardeners are thinking about flowers. Kids are dreaming about spring break. And you’re just hoping for a little more sunshine.
But the Everett Mountaineers, well, they’re thinking about getting outside.
Yes, we know, they’re always thinking about that.
But February is a special month for the outdoor recreation, conservation and social club.
That’s when the local volunteers kick off their annual alpine scrambling course, a nearly three-month educational extravaganza for hikers who want to take their mountain adventures to the next level.
This year, for the second year in a row, the local branch also is offering a winter camping class, which includes two lectures and a field trip.
Here’s a closer look at both classes to see if they’re right for you.
Winter camping
What: Winter camping, a course offered by the Mountaineers’ Nordic ski and snowshoe programs, includes two night lectures in Everett and an overnight field trip at Wenatchee Ridge in the Cascade Range.
Lectures will include a review of proper clothing and equipment, winter hazards and winter camping techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to build snow caves and igloos.
What you need to know: Participants should be competent at either Nordic skiing or snowshoeing and should have sufficient knowledge of proper clothing, the 10 essentials and some avalanche awareness.
Graduates from the Mountaineers’ ski, snowshoe, scramble and climbing classes are preferred. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
When: Lectures are from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24, and the field trip weekend is Feb. 26 and 27.
Where: Lectures will be at Everett PUD, 2320 California St., Everett. Participants will also take an overnight field trip to Wenatchee Ridge.
Cost: Fees are $40 or $30 for Mountaineers members.
Sign up: Contact Carrie Strandell at 360-420-2114 or cwstrandell@gmail.com.
Information: Go to www.everett mountaineers.org.
Alpine scrambling
What: Hikers: If you’ve ever found yourself wandering off maintained hiking trails and out onto snow or rock — but you were unsure how to do it safely — this is the course for you.
Students in the alpine scrambling course learn from experienced Mountaineers members how to use ice axes, watch for avalanche danger and scramble up steep peaks without ropes. Safely.
What you need to know: This course is no small commitment. Students in the course must attend six evening lectures, three weekend field trips and three official scramble trips to graduate.
They also must take three other prerequisite classes, including navigation, CPR and mountaineering-oriented first aid. Students must become members of the Mountaineers to graduate, too.
Participants can attend the first lecture before registering or paying to determine if the course is right for them, unless the course fills up in advance.
Cost: There is a financial commitment. Tuition is $195 or $160 for Mountaineers members.
Tuition does not include the scrambling course textbook, membership dues for the Mountaineers, equipment and clothing costs, or tuition for the navigation, CPR and mountaineering-oriented first-aid classes.
Who: Scrambling, according to the instructors, requires good physical condition, a positive attitude and a complement of outdoor equipment.
Ages 16 and older can take the course, but students younger than 18 must have parental permission.
When: Lectures are Feb. 24, March 10, April 7 and 21, May 5 and May 19. Field trips are April 16, April 30 to May 1 and May 14.
Navigation, CPR and mountaineering-oriented first-aid classes are on different dates during the course.
Where: Lectures will be at Everett Community College, 2000 Tower St., Everett, Whitehorse Hall, Room 238. Field trips and scramble trips will be at local outdoors destinations and summits.
Sign up: Register at www.mountaineers.org or call 206-521-6001 or 800-573-8484. Enrollment will close when the course fills or on March 10, whichever comes first.
Information: See a detailed schedule at www.everettmountaineers.org or contact Mike Mashock at mjmash@comcast.net or 425-870-8721.
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037; sjackson@heraldnet.com.
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