Intro to Mountaineering
Scholarship Course + Climb
Logistics
Applications Open: May 2023
Recipients Notified By: June 1st, 2023
Trip Dates: July 28 - 31, 2023
Days: 3 nights, 4 days
Closest Airport: Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Meeting Location: Sedro-Woolley Park & Ride
Price: FULL SCHOLARSHIP
Experience Kulshan.
A 4 day expedition to one of the most iconic mountains in the North Cascades with a supportive group of humans.
Kulshan (Mt. Baker) is an ideal mountaineering adventure for folks new to the sport and seasoned climbers wanting to develop their skills. We’ll cover the basic skills of mountaineering, attempt a summit and make sure that we have enough time for games and laughter. Tutus and any other costume accessories are welcome. This climb is appropriate for mountaineering beginners who can confidently hike for 8 hours uphill with a light pack and anyone who’s excited for a fun and wild mountain climb.
More Details
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If you haven’t already, please read the cancelation policy here.
As for all of our expeditions, we will carry satellite communication devices. In keeping with recommendations from emergency medical and rescue services, we will make conservative decisions. We will screen participants for COVID-19 symptoms prior to beginning the expedition, and ask participants to be fully vaccinated. If you have a medical reason for not being vaccinated, please let us know.
We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance and emergency evacuation service. Trip insurance covers the cost of your trip should you need to cancel at the last minute. Emergency evacuation insurance covers you in case of expensive or prolonged transport due to accident or injury. A simple way to get Emergency evacuation coverage is by becoming a member of the American Alpine Club Here.
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Please see the gear list here.
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Plan on bringing all your food for the trip! Breakfasts and dinners should be makeable with just boiling water (provided). We recommend things like bagels and oatmeal for breakfast and Mountain House / Backpacker’s Pantry / etc. dehydrated meals for dinner.
Some things to think about when packing snacks:
• Plan for around ⅓ to ½ pound of snacks per day depending on your appetite.
• Try to find foods that are low bulk but high calories.
• Pack your snacks in bags so they’re not loose in your backpack.
Snack ideas:
Trail mix is a go-to for many, but the list of tasty snack options is expansive. Banana chips, no-bake energy bites, chocolate-covered cashews or almonds, spicy nuts, dried fruit (apples, mangos, cranberries), fruit leather, string cheese, crackers, fig bars, peanut butter pretzels, cookies, Chex mix, sesame sticks, pumpkin seeds, gummy bears, licorice and candy bars are just a few choices. For more ideas, read Snack Hacks for Any Outdoor Adventure.
Please reach out with any questions or if you’d like more guidance when packing snacks for the trip.
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Climbing Kulshan can be hard. Two things can make it easier: having a light pack and being in good shape when you arrive. Accomplish both of those goals and your trip will be more enjoyable. If you think you could possibly do without an item… don’t bring it… you probably won’t miss it on the way up. If you have questions about how necessary something is, please reach out.
To get in shape we recommend regular hiking for 1-2 months before the trip starts. Start hiking with low weight and slowly build up until you’re hiking with around 20 - 30 pounds in a day pack. Plan to do one hike like this per week for 1-2 months.
That being said, everyone has their own way to get in shape… do what works for you. Anything that builds endurance and tendon / ligament flexibility will be great (think running, biking, cross country skiing, hiking, rowing).
Most people underestimate the physical challenge of climbing uphill for 6 hours to above 10,000 feet. As a result of this underestimation they spend more time struggling internally and have less resources to appreciate their surroundings. It’s better to show up over prepared than under prepared, but struggling throughout the climb is a natural and important part of the experience.
If you have questions about fitness or would like a personalized training plan, please let us know.
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FULL SCHOLARSHIP!!!
Included: All shared group mountaineering gear: ropes, carabiners, slings, etc, group tents, Professional Guiding, Permits.
Not Included: Transportation to Sedro-Wooley or the Park Butte Trailhead (carpooling may be available upon discussion with the group), Personal outdoor gear (see gear list), NW forest Pass for parking at the Trailhead, gratuities for your guides.
Moments & Rhythms.
Day 1: We’ll meet in Sedro Wooley at the Park & Ride where we’ll share introductions and do a brief gear check. From here we can carpool to the Park Butte Trailhead to start our approach. Today is all about getting to Sandy Camp, setting up camp, making a good dinner and taking 2-3 hours to practice the basic skills. We’ll cover basic and intermediate cramponing technique, self-arrest with an ice ax, and how to rope up for glacier travel. In the evening, we’ll talk over tea as we watch the sun set over the Pacific, play games and share our goals and hopes for tomorrow’s climb.
Day 2: Today we’ll go out on the glacier and practice skills! We’ll start with the basics (crampon use, roping up, holding an ice axe, self-arrest) and move into more advanced topics like navigating glaciers and crevasse rescue.
Day 3: Today we wake early, well before the sun, eat a quick oatmeal breakfast, put on frosty crampons, and start heading uphill with nearly-empty packs. No one is sprinting here, just a slow meditative rhythm focusing on your breath and keeping pace with the other people on your rope team. As we climb, so does the sun. The view starts to expand beyond the beam of your headlamp towards Kulshan and vast swaths of North Cascades National Park and West into Puget Sound. The views here are magic. 5 to 8 hours later we may be standing on the summit cheering and congratulating each other, or we may have turned around due to bad weather or exhaustion. Either way, returning to camp this afternoon is reason for celebration and celebrate we shall.
Day 4: This morning we’ll wake up at our own pace. Maybe you’ll watch the sunrise and take some intentional time for reflection or maybe you’ll snuggle in till 9 and get some much needed rest. After a relaxing breakfast we’ll bid farewell to our momentary home and head back out (downhill!) to the trailhead. The pika’s will no doubt greet our departure with their signature calls. At the trailhead we’ll have some time to share our thoughts, feelings and reflections before saying goodbye to this new group of friends.
Indigo Alpine X Queer Mountaineers