Backcountry Leaders Initiative

Considering the lack of BIPOC AIARE instructors & ski/snowboard guides, this is a free mentorship program.

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Climbers of Color’s Backcountry Leaders Initiative is a mentorship program for individuals seeking the next steps in mentorship, education, and community after their AIARE I/II. Whether the next step is skiing your first couloir, skiing a volcano, or to sharpen decision making skills in the backcountry - this cohort is for you. Explicit goals for the season will be determined by the cohort and may change throughout the season depending upon conditions and snowpack health. The cohort will be encouraged to self-organize in addition to the scheduled outings on the itinerary (see below for more details). 

 

This program is very much “what you get out is what you put in” and such, there is nothing else like it, even outside of affinity space programming.

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Cohort size varies yearly and are accepted on a rolling basis through February to encourage community growth. Returning cohort members please fill out the application as well so I know to add you to Slack!

 

Applicants must be intermediate backcountry snowboarders and skiers*. The program will run from January 2026 - May 2026. Participation is generally upon availability however, 1-2 days in March &/or April may be mandatory for those pursuing a volcano excursion to review and learn glacier travel protocols (of course if this is a cohort goal). As you schedule and attend outings, consider group dynamics and individual rapport as safety factors for more hazardous, demanding outings (IG. Volcano skiing, etc.).

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*Note: 

Climbers of Color recognizes various factors that create an intermediate ability level. Rigid prerequisites are outlined below; any further questions or concerns may be directed to cal@climbersofcolor.org.

 

Prerequisites:

• Double black-diamond proficiency in the resort

• Single black-diamond proficiency in the backcountry

• AIARE I certified (may be taken this season) 

• 2 or more seasons of backcountry travel with at least 5 days/ season

• Familiarity with avalanche forecasting websites

• Backcountry travel gear & familiarity with applications

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Volcano Prerequisites:

• 1,000'/hour ascent pace with day-pack

• Overnight gear

  • sleeping bag; pad; etc.​

• Ski/split-board crampons

• Boot crampons that fit properly

• Harness

• 2 locking carabiners

• Attend a Glacier Skills/ Travel outing or verified by a peer-instructor

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Previous season highlights:

• Fuhrer Finger descent, Takhoma, May 2024 (first season of BLI)

  • 3 participants, 2 nights/ 3 days, one of the 50 Classic Ski Descents of N. America​

• Boulder Glacier descent, Kulshan, May 2024 (second season of BLI)

  • 8 participants, 2 nights/ 3 days, Northern lights appeared, 1 rappel made on the descent​

• Birthday Tour 2024

• Paradise Glacier Ski descent from Ingraham Glacier, Takhoma, March 2025 (third season of BLI)

  • 1 night/ 2 days, 1 day of crevasse rescue training, single push to Ingraham Glacier 11,200’ and ~6,000’ descent​

• Camp Muir snow camping + Paradise Glacier descent, Takhoma, May 2025

  • Snow camping experience the unglamorous side to these activities but still as important to dial in​

  • Weather factors limited travel on this course

 

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Course FAQs:

 

• How will we communicate in such a large group?

  • Slack has been a great service in the past for this space. Plan to engage, plan, plot, and strategize with the cohort here.​

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• I have all the prerequisites except for an AIARE I, can I still apply?

  • If you can receive AIARE I certification this season, yes! Follow this link to our scholarship application. 

 

• What if I can only attend a few outings?

  • It may still be worth your time to meet some new people and expand the community of BIPOC skiers & split-boarders. 

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• Are the itinerary dates and curriculum fixed? 

  • These are dates I (​Cal) have put down on my calendar as dedicated days for this cohort. Considering these activities are condition dependent they are subject to change for safety and enjoyability factors (IG. Who wants to go ski in the rain or on breakable crust?)

 

• What if this is my first season of backcountry travel, but I am a big resort-shredder?

  • Let’s have a conversation! Contact me at cal@climbersofcolor.org & let's figure it out!

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• Is this for beginners, where can I find that?

  • This program is prioritized for intermediate-advanced riders. We are exploring how to integrate BLI to mentor beginners to the backcountry, reach out if you have any questions or want advice. 

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Itinerary

 

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12/21, 1/23, 2/8: Applicants notified on rolling basis 

March 1st: Rolling admittance ends, notified by March 2nd

 

A note about the itinerary and planned missions/ zones: they are subject to change or cancellation. Additionally, if there are good conditions sometimes it is better to just enjoy the good conditions and have fun.

No one wants to take an AIARE course during a powder dump.

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Snowpack (in)stabilities, Wx, instructor availability, etc., all play into a day in the mountains. The priorities of any activity throughout this program will be in the following order: 

 

1. The team's physical, emotional, and mental safety regarding managing team dynamics, terrain, and avalanche risks is agreed upon.

2. No suffering is allowed unless all members agree to it. (For example, a long day, touring in the rain or unfavorable conditions)

3. Fun. Only after the first two priorities are met can we move forward with the tour. 

 

Schedule

 

Tuesday, December 22nd

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Community Zoom event #1:  Introductions and program intro/history/ debrief

Timing: 7 - 8 PST

 

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Sunday, January 4th

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In person meet and greet: Further ice breaking, sharing of goals, expectations, etc. 

Location: Metier Brewing (2616 E Cherry Street, Seattle, WA)

Timing: 4 PM - end

 

Saturday, January 24th:

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Tour #1: Alpental Backcountry/ I-90 corridor

Timing TBD

 

This is the initial meetup! We will discuss community norms, pit-digging, and other various tests that we should all be familiar with and apply to the whole season. 

• Pit + tests (and why they’re a time sink)

• Hand shear

• Shovel Tilt Test

• Pole-probing

• Foot & boot penetration: why are they valuable? 

• Various terrain indicators of Wx & AVI

 

Saturday, February 7th:

Tour #2: Intro to ATES 3 terrain

Timing: TBD

Considering the terrain of focus for this meetup, capacity will be limited to groups of 4-5; however, there may be two groups with separation.

 

Intro to ATES Level 3 Terrain

• What are some tactics or strategies to manage this terrain? 

• What group size is optimal? 

• ‘Threading the Needle’: How and why?

• Discussion of emergency response plans

 

March 14 &/or 15th

Tour #3: Cohort trip to the desired venue. Apply skillsets from previous trips to a different/ previously unvisited zone. 

• Review of ski-mo techniques

• Intro to crevasse rescue for ski-mo

• Intro to snow camping in preparation for a volcano trip?

Location: (car camping is an option)

• Paradise, WA

• Mt. Baker Backcountry

• Etc.

 

April 4th &/or 5th:

Tour #4: Cohort trip to the desired venue. Apply skillsets from previous trips to a different/ previously unvisited zone. 

• Review of ski-mo techniques

• Intro to crevasse rescue for ski-mo

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Location: (car camping is an option)

• Paradise, WA

• Mt. Baker Backcountry

• Etc.

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May 22nd - 25th

Final Tour #5: Volcano expedition

Location: Volcano with good Wx

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I will plan to arrive at the trailhead on the evening of the 22nd to either scope out conditions and/or approach a basecamp alone. Other individuals are welcome to come along in this portion, but be prepared for sporadic planning.  

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Volcano expedition. Pahto, Kulshan, Takhoma, etc. Where do we want to spend 3-nights?!

• Culminating project here team. Focus on the steps achieved and taken to get here, do not get lost in the sauce of the size of the volcano; you stand atop your mountain of experience, erupting with wisdom and winds of advice from your peers.

• Help each other get to camp and let the rest unfold.

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See here for some ideas and good topos of volcanos. 

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Itinerary FAQs

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• What if I cannot make it to 'x' date? 

  • Ultimately, this program will be what you make of it, so consider the additive nature of the curriculum. Practice makes perfect with these skills. ​Bottom line, I want you to come as much as possible and put in as much effort as you can. 

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• What about group factors?

  • Group rapport​ goes a long ways. Don’t be a stranger in the Slack or other communications. Do not expect to attend one outing then sneak into the volcano tour - it is courtesy and community care to reciprocate energy others are putting into the program. 

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• What is ski-mo/ what gear do I even need for that? 

  • Let's hold off on this until in-person. Some gear may be rented, others it is best to own (ski-crampons, complimentary ski-mo pack, etc.)​

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• What is up the with “&/or dates?”

  • In my experience, dates around these times tend to have more favorable conditions and if permitting/ appropriate, doing back to back days is optimal. They cannot be finalized until factors are revealed though. ​