Membership

Ability to lead 5.10d overhanging, thin finger cracks is not one of our requirements for membership.

Nor is lead climbing at all.

Knowing your limits and climbing within them is what counts. This goes for both climbing grades and roped skills.

Many members are comfortable top rope climbing or following multi-pitch routes. Others lead 5.12s or long multi-pitch routes. We have members of every grade and skill level.

Climbing competently and safety is the most important skill we look for.

When you first contact us and join our mailing list, you've made an important first step!

Our membership requirements are:

1. To have climbed with at least two members outside. A signed Liability Release is required before participating in CCC Climbing.

2. To be a safe climber. You should be aware of what you know and don't know. You should act accordingly. Climbing within your skill set is the primary requirement for our members. When you don't know particulars skills you seek knowledge from others before just guessing.

   While risk level while climbing is very subjective you generally keep risks in line with what other members would find reasonable. Understanding potential falls is critical.

   Are you a 5.7 leader but attempting a 5.10a route? Maybe that’s fine, maybe it's not depending on the route.

   Are you running out a lead 5 ft vs 40 ft? Knowing when its ok to do either is a key skill.

   Have you practiced rappelling before being descending a route or just winging it?

   Have you practiced and talked through cleaning an anchor on the ground before attempting it 80 ft up with no one by your side?

   These are just a small fraction of what it takes to be a safe climber.

   Most intermediate rock climbing instruction teaches material up to the level that we require.

3. To be interested in participating and contributing to the club. You should get to know the club and its members well enough to decide that you wish to participate in club events. And contribute by organizing trips and events, and helping with campsite reservations, or at least be enthusiastic enough that we know you would do so if called upon.

4. To be recommended by members for membership. When you indicate your readiness to become a member, you need to be recommended by at least two club members who have climbed with you outside. Your recommendation will be discussed at a club business meeting. Some people become members within a month and some take a couple of years, average would be about a year.

Some notes about current members

As stated above members do not necessarily lead climb! Most have had some experience at the "sharp end", but some have had none. So for non-members, you can't call up any member and expect them to be able to lead you up "Astroman" (very few members could!), or even "Munginella".

It's also worth noting that Cragmont has no official test or specific standard of safety.

You should not blindly trust anyone simply because they are a member.

Possibly they were voted in as a follower and now are attempting to lead climb.

Possibly the people who recommended them have a different safety standard than you do.

Possibly they only climb outside once every two years and have forgotten how to setup and anchor.

I'm interested in becoming a full-fledged member, how do I do this?

Here are some recommendations on how most people have become members:

Join the mailing list or WhatsApp group. Join people who are looking for gym partners and get to know a few members. Attend a local day trip to a crag. Take a class from a professional guiding company. Climb out of town with us on two or three weekends.

For less experienced climbers, it may take several seasons to develop the skills and confidence to be a competent climber. More experienced members can help you learn these skills and build your confidence. Generally members are very open to sharing their skills and knowledge.

After you've climbed with some CCC members, you can be considered for full club membership. Ask your CCC partners to recommend you for membership. Since the club relies entirely on the volunteer efforts of members, we hope that new members will become active leaders and participate in organizing club activities.