Expense Reimbursement

Climb leaders may receive reimbursement from the Mazamas for many expenses while leading official activities, and for required training.  The forms to request reimbursement are here:

Mazama climb expense reimbursement form (mileage, permits, lost gear)

Reimbursement form for Mazama Classes

The class reimbursement form is confusing.  Instructions here.

The Mazamas provides a mileage reimbursement guide for carpooling on a climb.  It includes many peaks in the PNW and a per-rider rate and a maximum vehicle rate based on $.14 per mile.  Mileage Reimbursement Rates (pdf)  Details of mileage reimbursement are on the climb reimbursement form above.  There is no mileage reimbursement for taking recertification classes.  Reimbursement for mileage when instructing may be available, depending on the class policy.

Climbing permit fees

●       Climb leaders are not reimbursed for climbing permit fees.

●       Due to the popular demand for climbing permits, leaders may find it necessary to purchase permits for their entire team well in advance.  Mt. Rainier, Mt. Olympus, and Mt. St. Helens are examples.

The climb leader should request that team members reimburse the CL when they are accepted on the climb.  Each climber is responsible for their permit. 

Incidental transportation and trip expenses

●       Leaders and assistant leaders are not reimbursed for incidental transportation and trip expenses such as National Park entrance fees, NW Forest Passes, bridge tolls, ferry fares, campsite fees or lodging costs, except with pre-approval of the Climbing Committee.

Gear left behind to safeguard ascent or descent.

●       Any member of the climb party may be reimbursed for gear left on the route (e.g., stoppers, slings, picket) if that gear was left to safeguard any part of the ascent or descent. This reimbursement is subject to approval of the Climbing Committee. Climb leaders should note any such gear reimbursement requests on their climb report plus request reimbursement using the expense authorization form or by e-mail to the office.

Reimbursement for training and other expenses

Climb leaders receive 100% reimbursement of cost of required core courses (CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and MFA) provided by the Mazamas.

Climb leaders are encouraged to take relevant classes with other organizations or schools that go above and beyond the core climb leader requirements.  Examples of suitable classes are Wilderness First Responder (WFR), advanced navigation, ice climbing, and rescue techniques.  Leaders desiring reimbursement for training taken elsewhere must obtain prior approval from the Climbing Committee. The amount of reimbursement is at the committee’s discretion; 50% is typical..  Leaders who receive Mazama funds for these courses are expected to help teach the skills learned in relevant Mazama classes.

Reimbursement for any pre-approved course fees will take place after the completion of the course plus leading a climb or teaching a course after or within a year before the class (i.e., show that you’re an active climb leader). Documentation of satisfactory class completion must be supplied with the reimbursement request to the Climbing Committee.

LD participants who are not Provisional Leaders will not be reimbursed for any courses.  Reimbursement is given to Provisional Leaders only after the Provisional Leader has attained full Climb Leader status if full leader status is attained within one year of completion of the course. In addition, Provisional Leaders who desire reimbursement for advanced Mazamas courses must obtain approval from the Climbing Committee prior to registering for these courses.