About the Bushwhacker Climbing Club

Mission Statement:

To foster and educate a community that enjoys wilderness adventures.

The Bushwhacker Climbing Club is a non-profit organization created by Pacific Northwest area climbers. The Bushwhacker community has been hiking, climbing, skiing and socializing together for many years. In 2003 we created a club.

Our unofficial motto is Whatever the Mountaineers can climb in three days, we can climb in four! This conveys our philosophy of savoring the wilderness experience and favoring community over technical accomplishments. But make no mistake, our outings are still strenuous and we aim for the summit.

In 2004, we successfully ran our first Basic Glacier Climbing Course. We also held two Glacier Skills Refresher clinics and organized several social events.

In 2005, we started our Basic Telemark Ski Class and held our first Outdoor Photography Course. We also had a Map & Compass clinic, a wildflower dayhike and a Pacific Northwest Weather lecture. Our first fund-raiser, a successful effort to help purchase a crag in Icicle Canyon, raised more than one thousand dollars.

In 2006, we continued existing programs and embarked on new adventures. We sponsored a Wilderness Advanced First Aid course with fifteen club members and held two rock climb outings. Our Autumn Rendezvous in Icicle Canyon was a lot of fun. We had a social Club Night each month, and of course the annual Milkshake Madness party.

In 2007, we added two Mount Rainier outings to our programs. Our fund raiser for Olympic Mountain Rescue was a big success. Our existing programs were continued, such as the Glacier Skills Refresher, WAFA and the Outdoor Photo Course, and fifteen people graduated the Basic Glacier Climbing Course.

In 2008, there will be a focus on benefits to our existing members. Programs such as a cragging course and crevasse rescue clinic will be targeted to existing members, as will our new Spring Rendezvous. However, we will continue to meet new people and make new friends through our courses. We hope that 2008 will be the best year yet for our club.