Updated March 2011

1.   Be a current CMC Denver Group member.

2.   Complete at least three CMC trips, two of which must be hiking, backcountry skiing, or snowshoeing trips.

3.    Attend the CMC Denver Group Trip Leader School within 24 months of leadership application.

4.   Complete at least two trips as leader-in-training (LIT) to two different areas with two different Denver Group leaders not related to you.  You must have a favorable recommendation from the leader of record for these trips.  At least one of these LIT trips should be at the highest level that you are applying to lead.  Snowshoes can substitute for a C or D trip in the winter since not as many C and D trips are offered in the winter.  In the trip sign-up, an “LIT” after trip classification indicates that the leader would welcome a leader-in-training; however other trips are possibilities also. The LIT and the hike leader must fill out this LIT Evaluation Form when the hike is successfully completed.

5.  Take the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) class.  It must be current (no earlier than 36 months before leader application).  This may be taken before or after the LITs or the avalanche class.  When signing up for the class, make sure you sign up for the class for leaders, not for non-leaders or for participants.  It is the same class but the price is reduced for leaders.  CPR is recommended but not required.

6.   You must pursue one of these avenues in regards to leading winter trips. A more thorough description of these options can be found in this document.

• Complete the CMC Denver Group Avalanche Terrain Avoidance (ATA) class if you wish to lead winter non-backcountry trips (see definition of “winter” and “non-backcountry” in above document).
• Complete the CMC Denver Group AIARE Level 1 Avalanche School if you wish to lead winter backcountry trips (see above document for definition of backcountry).

7.   Complete a Denver Group Trip Leader Application, attach the LIT Evaluation Forms, and include proof of attendance at the required trainings.  Send the application and attachments to the CMC office.  KEEP A COPY OF WHATEVER YOU SEND TO THE OFFICE.  The office will forward the application to the Denver Group Safety and Leadership Committee for approval.

8.  Certification.

The Denver Group Safety and Leadership committee generally meets once a month and approval of outstanding leadership applications is a standing agenda item.  If anything is missing from your application package, you will be contacted by one of the committee members.  You can only be approved initially to lead trips up to your current hiking and/or skiing classification. However, if you raise your hiking classification after becoming a leader, you will automatically be approved to lead at that higher level.  After your approval, you will receive an e-mail notification with “cc” to the office so they will change your status in the database.

Trip Leader Application Forms

These are the forms that should be followed and filled out to become a trip leader. Again, be sure to make copies before submitting completed forms to the CMC office.

The LIT Guidelines should be read by both the leader and the Leader in Training before the hike.

The LIT Evaluation Form is filled out by the hike leader and the LIT after the hike is concluded. Both should be familiar with the form before the hike begins as this document outlines what the LIT is specifically expected to do.

The Trip Leader Application should be filled out and submitted to the CMC office with the other required documents.