Trip Leader School (TLS)

Trip Leader certification requirements

1. Be a CMC member at least 18 years of age and have been a participant on at least five CMC trips.
2. Satisfactorily complete the Trip Leader School Program (including practice “co-leading” two trips, as stated below).
3. Have a current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification or higher.** Complete requirements listed below ***

Trip Leader school - 3 components

1. Online Study. The online curriculum leads students through the CMC Trip Leader manual with an emphasis on the important role trip leaders play in ensuring fun and safe outdoor trips while understanding the responsibilities trip leaders have and the CMC resources available. Self-paced study includes reading the Trip Leader Manual, knowledge checks, trip planning, discussion on high performance teams, trip leader liability, anatomy of a disaster, and how to manage trips on the cmc.org site (permissions given when certification is complete). Online study and quizzes must be done before the online meeting. Online access info will be sent 2 weeks before the online meeting.
2. Online Meeting. The Zoom meeting highlights and reviews the online curriculum, provides a forum for addressing questions, and gets student ready for the field day – which includes preparing for a notional trip as if the student was the trip leader.
3. Field Session. The Leader-In-Training (LIT) hike is a 5-hour field trip conducted on local Open Space hiking trails where candidates will engage in fact-finding, problem-solving, and working. Planned for Spruce Mountain Open Space.

notes

• Attendance is required at both the Zoom Meeting and Field Day
• All online schoolwork must be completed to get credit for the TLS coursework
• PPG requires two successful co-leads and a current WFA certification for Trip Leader Certification
• The course is based on the current CMC Trip Leader Manual and current policies and procedures
• The nominal TLS registration fee will be refunded to PPG members who successfully complete all the Trip Leader program requirements (class / co-leads / WFA certification).

• REFUND POLICY. 
  • 31 days or more before: Full refund less 3% per person processing fee OR full credit can be transferred to a future session of the same school without incurring a processing fee. This can only be done one time, and should be within the same calendar year of the original class. If a future session is not available then a refund will be issued less the aforementioned fee.
  • 8 - 30 days before: Full refund less 25% of fee paid up to $35 OR full credit can be transferred to a future session of the same school without incurring a processing fee. This can only be done one time, and should be within the same calendar year of the original class. If a future session is not available then a refund will be issued less the aforementioned fee.
  • 7 days or less: No refund will be granted. No credit will be allowed for future classes. 
  • If CMC cancels the class for any reason, a full refund will be issued or credit given as requested. Please expect 5-10 business days for payment by check or back to credit card. Fees paid for school material or supplies are not refundable.  In limited circumstances, other accommodation can be determined on a case by case basis.  CMC encourages students to communicate his/her extenuating circumstances to the school director. 

Trip Leader Requirements (per 2022 Trip Leader Manual)

• Be a Colorado Mountain Club member.
• Be at least 18 years of age. Co-leaders 16 years and older are encouraged.
• Complete Leader Training and be proficient in the 15 Trip Leader Competencies.
• Have mountain skills adequate for the trip.
• Regardless of experience, co-lead at least 1 trip with an experienced leader and receive a positive evaluation by that leader for the specific trip classification. (Note: some groups have additional LIT requirements. Pikes Peak Group requires 2 success LIT trips with two different Trip Leaders)
• Receive approval or Trip Leader certification by their CMC Group.
• First Aid Requirements. Wilderness First Aid(WFA) certification or higher. WFA certification is valid for 2 years. CPR training is encouraged but not required. CPR is required of some CMC instructors teaching on public lands.
• Avalanche Education Requirements for trip leaders:
  Avalanche education is a necessary part of managing risk in outdoor recreation in Colorado. CMC recommends avalanche education for all trip leaders regardless of sport or season.
  • Any trip leader traveling on snow covered terrain at any time of year is required to have the following avalanche education based on the terrain.
  • Avalanche Terrain Avoidance (ATA) is recommended for all CMC trip leaders (regardless of sport or season) and required for leaders who travel in snow-covered areas but do not travel in avalanche prone terrain.
  • AIARE Level 1 (or equivalent) is required for trip leaders who travel in avalanche prone terrain.
  • The CMC defines “Non-avalanche prone terrain” as terrain with stable snowpack; slope angles not in the 25-45 degree range; that does not include terrain traps (e.g., stream beds, gullies, or steep road cuts) or snow pillows, roll-overs, cornices and subtle micro-terrain features; and that does not have avalanche prone terrain above the selected route.)
  • The CMC defines “Avalanche prone terrain” as terrain with unstable snowpack; slope angles of25- 45 degrees; or which may have terrain traps, snow pillows, roll-overs, cornices, and subtle micro-terrain features; and routes below avalanche prone terrain.