

          	WINTER SAFETY COMMITTEE RULES 1998-1999

1) PURPOSE: The Winter Safety Committee (WSC) has been established to encourage
  an active and safe winter outings program.  The WSC must approve all winter 
  trip leaders.

2) MEMBERSHIP: Membership is comprised of all winter leaders and the MITOC 
  Board of Directors.

3) JURISDICTION: The WSC has jurisdiction over all above-treeline
  trips between November 1 and May 1, all below-treeline trips between
  December 1 and April 1, and all ski-touring trips.

4) TYPES OF TRIPS: The WSC recognizes the following three categories of 
  winter trips:
  a) below-treeline hiking and ski touring that never travel further than
     a one hour's walk away from a paved road.
  b) below-treeline hiking and ski touring that range more than a one hour's
     walk away from a paved road.
  c) above treeline hiking and skiing (in New England this includes the 
     Presidential Range north of Mt. Clinton, the Franconia Ridge north of 
     Little Haystack, Mt. Mansfield, and Mount Katahdin).  

5) LEADER REQUIREMENTS: All winter trip leaders must have must have 
  demonstrated competence on a winter camping trip.  
  a) A leader must be approved by the WSC for each type of trip that he 
     will lead (see items 4 and 6).
  b) All winter trip leaders leading isolated trips (trip types B and C
     in item 4) must have first aid knowldege equivalent to a 16 Hr. 
     Wilderness First Aid course.
  
6) WSC APPROVAL: All WSC members are invited to vote on the approval of
  each trip leader.  Votes may be taken over email.  Approval consists of:
  a) Affirmative votes from a simple majority of the voting WSC members.
     and
  b) Affirmative votes from at least 3 WSC members.

7) VOTING GUIDELINES: Following are guidelines on which votes should be based: 
  a) The candidate has demonstrated good judgment in mountaineering
     situations on MITOC winter trips.
  b) The candidate exercises proper control and leadership of the group.
  c) The candidate has sensitivity to the needs or possible problems of
     trip members.
  d) The candidate is familiar with the geographical area in which he
     wants to lead trips.
  e) The candidate is able to assist trip members with equipment and make
     any necessary repairs.
  f) The candidate has an absolute minimum of five days winter experience
     (under winter conditions) in the trip category, as well as winter 
     camping experience.

8) LOSS OF LEADERSHIP STATUS: The WSC has the right to revoke anyone's 
  leadership status at any time, for any reason.

9) CO-LEADERS: On any trip, the leader may nominate two co-leaders 
  from among the trip's participants.  A co-leader need not have any of the
  above qualifications, but his/her status is valid only during that
  particular trip.  His/her purpose will to assist the leader in running
  the trip smoothly and safely.

10) LEADER RATIOS: Every trip must have at least one WSC-approved winter trip 
  leader, and there must be at least one leader/coleader for every four trip 
  participants.  This is equivalent to a 4:1 ratio of participants to 
  leaders/coleaders.

11) ISOLATED TRIP PROVISIONS: The WSC requires that the following items be 
  brought on any isolated winter trip (trip types B and C in item 4):
  a) a winter sleeping bag
  b) one foam pad
  c) a tarp or tent
  d) a firestarter
  e) a first aid kit 
  In addition, above treeline trips (trip type C in item 4) must bring:
  f) a stove and pot
  g) a mirror (for signalling)

12) LIST OF LEADERS: An up-to-date list of current MITOC Winter Leaders 
  will be kept by a designated WSC member.  A copy will be publicly available.

13) LIABILITY WAIVERS: All attendees on MITOC winter trips must file a signed 
  waiver, including contact and pertinent medical information, at the MITOC 
  office.

