Frequently Asked Questions - Washington School
Please note you will be mailed specific information for your course upon registration. The following is to serve as a helpful guideline.
What kind of physical condition should I be in?
The weight of your pack is generally 65 pounds. We invite you to check out our Training page
We highly recommend checking with your physician before embarking on strenuous physical activity. We reserve the right to turn away those climbers who we determine to be in inadequate physical condition.
How do I reserve a space for a course?
The best way to reserve space on a course is to call our offices and place the deposit on a VISA/MC/AMEX. Our courses fill quickly on a first-come, first-served basis, and registering over the phone is the best way to ensure reserving the course dates you want. You may also submit an application by mail with a check, money order or credit card number.
When does my course begin and end?
Location: Alpine Ascents Office. 121 Mercer Street, Seattle.
Begins: 6:30am, Day 1 of the course.
Finishes: Between 6:00pm - 10:00pm on the last day of the course.
Please note: Our recommended hotel, The Mediterranean Inn, is located 1 block from our office.
Where do we meet for the 3 & 4-day summit climbs?
Transportation is generally not provided
We meet at the trailhead on the first day of the climb. You are responsible for your own transportation to the trailhead. Alpine Ascents will provide detailed directions. Gear checks for the climbs are generally in the afternoon the day before the climb begins. Please refer to your specific registration materials.
For most summit climbs in Washington you will need to obtain permits for parking at the trailhead. A season parking pass is available for $30.00, or day passes are $5.00 per day. You can purchase these permits in advance by phone from the Park Service (360-856-5700, M-F 8-4:30 PST) or online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/passes/ or in person from local Seattle retailers such as the various REI stores and The Mountaineers. They are often available at the gas station in Sedro Woolley as well. (Please inquire at your gear check)
Do I have different logistics if I am on a private climb?
Private climb logistics are generally as follows: We meet the morning of your course at 7:00am at the Alpine Ascents offices. You are responsible for your own food and transportation. Please refer to your specific registration materials.
When should I fly in and out of Seattle?
We recommend staying overnight the night before the course begins and on the evening of the last day of the course. Because our last course day is a summit day, there are variables that make it difficult to guarantee the exact time each course will end. You will need to be ready to go at 6:30am on the morning your course begins.
Where can I buy flights?
Alpine Ascents uses the services of Charles Mulvehill at Scan East West Travel: 1-800-727-2157 or 206-623 2157. They are very familiar with our Mountaineering School and offer competitive prices on all domestic and international flights. charles@scaneastwest.com
How do I get from the airport to my hotel and downtown Seattle?
From Sea-Tac International Airport to the Mediterranean Inn or any hotel in downtown Seattle:
Shuttle Express: Airport to Mediterranean Inn or downtown Seattle and return.
Cost: $21.00 (one way depending on number of riders)
The Shuttle Express also has regular service to downtown Seattle and can be easily found via Sea-Tac courtesy phones.
If I am driving to the school and leaving my car for the length of the course, where can I park?
Parking is limited but if you would like to park your vehicle during your course, we can assist in arranging with nearby on street parking.
How do I get to Alpine Ascents International?
Click Here for Printable Map
- From Interstate 5, take the Mercer Street Exit and follow the signs to Seattle Center/Space Needle. (A quick right turn onto Fairview Ave., and a quick left turn onto Valley St., which becomes Broad Street.)
- After you pass the Space Needle on your right, make a right turn onto Denny Way.
- Proceed to 1st Ave. North and turn right.
- Proceed to Mercer Street and turn right.
- We are located at 121 Mercer Street, directly across the street from Larry's Market and upstairs. Street parking is limited to 2-hour zones and parking meters, though there are several pay lots near our offices.
What kind of experience do I need to take a course?
Our 6-Day and Denali Prep programs are designed for the beginner or intermediate climber wishing to develop strong fundamental skills in all aspects of snow and glacier climbing. Our 13-Day course is designed for both beginning and intermediate climbers who are in excellent physical condition and serious about acquiring in-depth experience in all aspects of alpine climbing. For those with little or no experience in the outdoors, we recommend our Backpacking and Wilderness Navigation course.
Where do I stay the night before and after the course?
There are several lodging options for our courses. We meet at our office on the day of the courses at 6:30am.
Alpine Ascents has partnered with our neighbors The Mediterranean Inn and the Marqueen Hotel– each located two blocks from our office. Reservations for your room should be made as soon as possible.
The Mediterranean Inn
Phone: 206-428-4700 / 866-525-4700 Fax: 206-428-4699
www.mediterranean-inn.com
Marqueen Hotel
Phone: 206-282-7407
www.marqueen.com
Rates: Reasonable by Seattle standards, vary by season.
If you wish to share a room with another course participant, The Mediterranean can help with those arrangements. You will need a room for the night prior to the start of your course and for the last night of your course. The hotel is 2 blocks from the Alpine Ascents office. Extra gear may be stored at our office until your return.
Staying elsewhere in downtown Seattle is another option. During the climbing season, hotels in the Seattle metropolis are difficult to reserve and are a bit more expensive. You may elect to stay in any one of the numerous hotels in the area, but you will be responsible for getting to our offices by 6:30am the morning of your course. We are a short taxi cab ride away from most of the downtown hotels and local equipment shops. After the course, we will return to our offices and you can return to your hotel by taxi at that point. You will need a room for the night prior to the start of your course and for the last night of your course. Please note: Free long-term parking is generally difficult in the vicinity of Alpine Ascents. If you plan to stay in Seattle and have a car, try to arrange a taxi or ride to our offices on the morning of the course. Extra gear may be stored in our office until your return.
What do I need to bring?
When you sign up for a course we will send you a confirmation package that includes an annotated equipment list detailing each piece of equipment you will need. Please read your annotated equipment list very carefully. You are required to bring every item on the list so be as precise as possible when packing. Alpine Ascents rents quality technical equipment at reasonable rates. If you have any equipment-related questions please call us (206-378-1927). You can also email us at: Climb@AlpineAscents.com
Is food provided on my climb or course?
Courses: Please review the Sample Menu Plan. As part of the curriculum, you are responsible for your own food. Before departing for the trailhead, we will check and organize personal/group gear. Additionally, if necessary we will make one final stop for groceries. However, it is advisable to purchase most of your bulk foods before we meet. If you are staying in Seattle, there are numerous supermarkets as well as the flagship REI, North Face, and Patagonia gear shops for fresh and prepackaged foods.
Note for 13-day students: Following the first six days of the program we will return to our vehicle and travel to the rock climbing area. At this time we will re-supply our food and have time to shower. Initially you need only to carry food for the first six days. Our 13-day program is our most physically demanding course.
Climbs: All meals are provided on summit climbs. This includes lunch for 3-4 days, 2-3 dinners, & 2-3 breakfasts. If you have any food allergies or requirements, please let us know in advance. There is a place on the application to do this. While you are not required to purchase any food, you will likely be asked to help carry provisions to the base camp. If you have a particular favorite snack/lunch food supplement or beverage mix, please feel free to bring it along.
Where do I pick up my rental gear for the course?
You will pick up your rental gear at our offices during the gear check.
Can I share a tent and stove?
Yes, students generally pair up during the gear check to share the weight and bulk of a tent and stove.
How heavy will my pack be?
Since everyone purchases different gear and is a different size, it is hard to give you an exact number. For most of our courses, you can expect your internal frame pack (packed with gear and food) to weigh between 55 and 65 pounds. It is likely that you will be asked to help carry some of the group equipment such as ropes and protection, so make sure there is some additional room in and on your backpack for approximately 4-8 pounds of gear.
Any tips on packing?
The mountains of the northwest and north coast are heavily glaciated temperate mountains. This means they are subject to highly variable weather conditions.
- Pack everything in two layers of sturdy plastic. (Trash Compactor Bags work the best) Bring one large trash bag to completely and easily cover your pack. You should bring at least 4 bags.
- It is likely that you will be asked to help carry some of the group equipment, so make sure there is some additional room in and on your backpack.
What can I read to prepare for the course?
You will get far more out of your course by reading Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, 6th ed., The Mountaineers. This book provides an excellent overview of the elements involved in alpine mountaineering. Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 6 review many of the aspects we will be covering during your training and familiarity with these aspects will greatly enhance your experience.
How many students/instructors are there per class?
On our 3-Day Mt Baker climbs, & 6-Day courses, the student to instructor ratio is 5:1. For our 13-Day course it is 4:1. Our 6-Day and 12-Day Alaska courses have a 5:1 ratio.
Where is a good, trustworthy store to purchase gear?
Alpine Ascents climbers receive a 10% discount from Moosejaw Mountaineering. Our climbers also receive a discount of 10% from Feathered Friends. See our gear page for links to these and other companies.
I am concerned that the gear I am renting will not fit or work properly.
We rent the Koflach Degree. The packs, crampons, ice axes, tents, and other items are cleaned and checked on a daily basis. All of our gear is of the highest quality. Please note that double plastic boots do not break in.
Where will my course be held?
Our Washington 6-Day courses take place on Mt. Baker, Mt. Daniel, El Dorado Peak, Sahale Peak, Glacier Peak and throughout the North Cascades. We utilize a variety of locations to distribute land use throughout the North Cascades and provide pristine, less populated environs for our training. Our 13-Day course also includes mixed climbing areas such as: Mt Shuksan, Twin Sisters, Forbidden, Mt Sloan, Torment, Buckner, Logan, Chair Peak, The Tooth and Guy Peak. All courses take place in the mountains. Our 6-Day and 12-Day Alaska programs take place in Denali National Park in the environs of Denali itself on the South East Fork of the Kahiltna Glacier.
How is the issue of human waste in the North Cascades dealt with by Alpine Ascents?
Alpine Ascents International takes Leave No Trace principles very seriously. We are a pioneering organization in environmentally positive methods of waste disposal. We were the first guide service to implement the use of the revolutionary "Wag Bag" system. Other wilderness companies and organizations are taking our lead and are now implementing this excellent product. If you have climbed with us and are wondering where to obtain your own supplies, you can order Wag Bags from Phillips Environmental directly from their website: http://www.thepett.com
Is this trip going to be physically challenging?
Yes. See the training tips above, but... Keep in mind that you are climbing a mountain and it is not easy. If you follow our physical fitness tips and do some training on your own, you should complete the course with no problems.
What if I need to leave the course early?
For climbers who need to be escorted from the course, there is a minimum fee of $250.00.