The Colorado Mountain Club Trip Leader Manual CMC State Safety and Leadership Committee Revised: 3/14/2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1 – Trip Leader Manual Introduction & Acknowlegements ........................................ 4 Chapter 2 – Trip Leader Roles and Qualifications ..................................................................... 6 Minimum state-wide standards for all CMC Trip Leaders ................................................ 6 Roles of a CMC Trip Leader ............................................................................................... 7 15 Trip Leader Competencies ........................................................................................... 8 Chapter 3 – Before Your Trip .................................................................................................... 9 Planning Your Trip ............................................................................................................. 9 Route Considerations ...................................................................................................... 10 Group Size ....................................................................................................................... 11 Transportation ................................................................................................................ 11 Leave No Trace Planning ................................................................................................. 11 Public Lands .................................................................................................................... 12 Emergency Planning Before the Trip .............................................................................. 12 Equipment, Food, and Water.......................................................................................... 13 Trip Advertising ............................................................................................................... 14 Pre-Trip Communication: Screening Participants ........................................................... 15 Chapter 3: Before Your Trip – A Checklist ...................................................................... 17 Chapter 4 – On your trip ......................................................................................................... 18 Organizing the carpool .................................................................................................... 18 Orienting participants at the trailhead ........................................................................... 19 Ending the Trip ................................................................................................................ 21 Chapter 4: On Your Trip – A Checklist ............................................................................ 21 Chapter 5 -- Group Dynamics, Decsion Making & Problems During a Trip ............................ 23 Characteristics of Effective Leaders ................................................................................ 23 Leadership Styles ............................................................................................................ 24 Decision making .............................................................................................................. 24 Communication ............................................................................................................... 26 Group Dynamics .............................................................................................................. 27 Group Formation Stages ................................................................................................. 30 Dealing with problems during the trip............................................................................ 32 Chapter 5: Group Dynamics, Decision Making and Problems – Review ........................ 34 Chapter 6 – Emergency Preparedness .................................................................................... 35 Lost Participant ............................................................................................................... 35 Accident/Injury Response at Scene ................................................................................ 35 Emergency Communication -- CMC Emergency Call Service .......................................... 37 Chapter 6: Emergency Preparedness – Review ............................................................. 39 Chapter 7 --CMC Policies Related to Trips & Liability Protection ........................................... 40 Anti-Harassment/Non-Discrimination ............................................................................ 40 2 Table of Contents Code of Conduct Policy ................................................................................................... 40 Avalanche Transceivers ................................................................................................... 43 Climbing Helmets ............................................................................................................ 43 Dogs................................................................................................................................. 43 Drugs and Alcohol ........................................................................................................... 44 Guest Fees ....................................................................................................................... 44 Leave No Trace ................................................................................................................ 44 Leader Qualification and Responsibility ......................................................................... 44 Leader Suspension .......................................................................................................... 45 Release of Liability Form ................................................................................................. 45 Trips ................................................................................................................................. 45 Trip Planning, Descriptions, and Substitutions ............................................................... 46 Vehicle-Supported Dispersed Camping on Forest Service Lands ................................... 46 CMC General Liability Insurance ..................................................................................... 46 Leader Liability: Protections Against Lawsuits ................................................................ 47 Chapter 7: CMC Policies and Liability Protection Check List ......................................... 48 Chapter 8 -- About the Colorado Mountain Club ................................................................... 49 Mission ............................................................................................................................ 49 History ............................................................................................................................. 49 CMC Structure and Programs ......................................................................................... 50 Board of Directors ........................................................................................................... 50 Groups ............................................................................................................................. 51 Staff ................................................................................................................................. 51 Adventure Travel ............................................................................................................ 51 American Mountaineering Museum............................................................................... 51 Conservation Program .................................................................................................... 51 Youth Education Program ............................................................................................... 52 Trail & Timberline Magazine ........................................................................................... 52 CMC Press ....................................................................................................................... 52 CMC Resource Development .......................................................................................... 52 Appendix A -- CMC Trip Classifications ................................................................................... 53 Hike Classifications .......................................................................................................... 53 Technical Climb Classifications ....................................................................................... 54 Ski Tour Classifications .................................................................................................... 54 Snowshoe Trip Classifications ......................................................................................... 55 Appendix B -- LNT Principles ................................................................................................... 56 3 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 – TRIP LEADER MANUAL INTRODUCTION & ACKNOWLEGEMENTS Congratulations on your interest in becoming a CMC trip leader. If you are already a leader, this manual will be both