San Francisco Bay Area
Cragmont Climbing
Club
Membership
Ability to lead 5.10d overhanging, thin finger
cracks is not one of our requirements for membership. In fact,
if you're a 5.4 climber, you know that is your level and you
can climb it safely, you can become a member of our club.
When you first call or e-mail the club chairman or one
of our active members, and get put on our mailing list, you are
NOT a member, but you've made an important first step!
Our membership requirements are:
(1) To have climbed with at least one member of
our club on a club trip.
A signed Liability
Release is required before participating
in CCC Climbing.
(2) To be a safe climber. During your first climbs
with the club, your level of safety will be watched carefully,
and the club member that you are climbing with will be trying
to evaluate both your safety and judgement. We refer you to the
article "Are You Safe",
in this Webpage's articles section. We do not require that you
know all of the material in that article, but it would sure be
of benefit to you if you did. At a minimum, you should be aware
of what you know and don't know, and act accordingly. Most intermediate
rock climbing instruction teach 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, or at least be
enthusiastic enough that we know you would do so if called upon.
(4) To be recommended by a member for membership.
When you indicate your readiness to become a member, you need
to be recommended by at least one club member and your recommendation
will be discussed at a club business meeting. Your recommender(s)
will be the member(s) that you have climbed with. Some people
become members within a month and some take a couple of years,
average would be about a year.
That's all!
A word of caution new 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".
Here is my opinion on how to do this best. Get
on the email mailing list (email: Wes
Wagnon) and sign a liability release prior to climbing. Come
to a couple of social meetings and come to Berkeley
Ironworks Gym or Mission
Cliffs in San Francisco with members. Climb out of town with
us on two or three different weekends. (See Activities.)
Be outgoing looking for partners or use me (the Chairman) to
help find you partners. Climb with a different person each day,
and climb a couple of climbs a day (4-6 pitches, usually in the
5.5 - 5.8 range). Negotiate with your partner for a couple of
leads on easier pitches, if you are ready. Don't do anything
unsafe, such as poor belaying, poor anchors, no anchors, knocking
off loose rocks, etc! Volunteer to help out whenever possible
with club events. At that point you are an ideal candidate for
membership!
For more information contact the Club Chair:
Mark Phagan
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