Climbing leaders need a course in basic geology, see West Ridge Cuttroat report.
Mass wasting, the geological term, should not include Mountaineers.
When I used to guide and teach climbing professionally, I would ask my clients and students to consider how all those rocks in the scree and talus slopes got there. Later as national park ranger, it became obvious that ignorance of basic geology was widespread, as evidenced by the body bags included with our gear.
Eric Burr
shared this idea
AdminJeff Bowman
(Associate Director of Information Technology, The Mountaineers)
responded
Great suggestion Eric. As a volunteer-run organization, the content of our courses is determined by volunteers. We’ve had a number of sessions on local geology offered in the past, and would certainly support more in the future (ex: https://www.mountaineers.org/locations-lodges/olympia-branch/committees/olympia-hiking-backpacking-committee/course-templates/geology-in-your-own-backyard-olympia/activity-templates/geology-in-your-own-back-yard). The best way to ensure this curriculum is included is to work with the climbing committee at your branch, and while we cannot require this of our climb leaders, we can certainly encourage them to learn more about the natural world in addition to their climbing and leadership skills training.
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Eric Burr
commented
Basic knowledge of the geological process of "mass wasting,"
specifically rock fall, could make climbs such as Cutthroat Peak up near Washington Pass safer.