A certified mountain guide wants to lead you on an 8 day prep course for climbing Mount Denali that includes classroom sessions and mountaineering sessions in the Cascades of Washington state.
Group
Cascade Range
8 Days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fit
Intermediate
The highest mountain in North America, Denali is a fantastic climb. However, with that glory comes much difficulty. As a result, a course like this is essential for climbers hoping to reach the summit of that great mountain.
The course can be broken up in different ways. The first option is to have the trip broken up over consecutive weekends. It would involve a 2 day classroom weekend, followed by a 3 day climbing weekend and another 3 day weekend, where you will climb to the summit of a selected peak. This option is ideal for local residents. The other option is to combine the three sessions in one 9 day period. This option involves 2 days in a classroom, followed by 3 days on the mountain, a day off and concluding with a 3 day trip to the summit of a selected peak.
No matter which of these 2 options you choose, you will learn many of the skills necessary for climbing the great Mount Denali.
The choices of mountains we will climb in the Cascades during the mountain sessions include great peaks like Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.
Climbing Mount Denali is a demanding, rewarding, thrilling and unforgettable experience. And we want it to be an experience that you enjoy safely and successfully. Hence the thoroughness and importance of this course. If you would like to participate, just send us a request.
If we are climbing Mount Baker during the course and you want to climb Mount Shuksan on another occasion, join us on this trip. And if we are climbing Mount Shuksan during the course, we can take you to the summit of Mount Baker on this trip.
- Guiding fee
- Permit and entrance fees
Please note the price does not include transportation, personal climbing equipment, meals, or guide gratuities.
For the first day of the classroom session we will cover the following items.
Introductions
Run through of experience of participants in cold weather mountain environments
The Denali packing list
Reserving your climbing permit
Choosing a flight service to Kahiltna
Detailed day to day of the route
How do do food shopping and food packing
Boot fitting, socks and lacing
Crampon fitting with overboots
Skis versus snowshoes
Backpack and sled rigging
Prussic cutting and trying for rescue and travel systems
On the second day of the classroom session we will cover the following items.
Introduction to Kahiltna base camp
Packing an expedition backpack
Packing an expedition sled
Rope management and storage to prevent freezing
Attaching to the rope/prussic systems
Rope-team travel in a glacial environment
Attaching to fixed lines
Ascending fixed lines
Clipping past an anchor
Descending fixed lines
High altitude concerns
High altitude eating hydration
For the first day of the application session on a glaciated peak, we will cover the following items.
Travel to a mountain environment
Review/practice packing backpacks and sleds
Uphill walking techniques with a weighted sled
Downhill walking techniques with a weighted sled
Lower glacier navigation and travel
Belaying and probing for a good campsite
Work hardening snow for camping
Wind wall building
Tent set up and anchoring
Cooking shelter area construction
Pee hole area construction
Cooking and snow melting
Weather reports and forecasting
On the second day of the application session on a glaciated peak, we will cover the following items.
Self arrest with packs and sleds on a rope team
Snow anchors specific to Alaska powder
Attaching the rope to anchors
Clipping past running protection
Self rescue with a pack and sled in actual crevasse
Probing a campsite and food cache
Camp selection and set-up
Cooking and snow melting
Tent organization
Keeping hands and feet warm
For the third day of the application session on a glaciated peak, we will focus primarily on crevasse rescue in an actual crevasse. We will use video to record the lesson for future reference.
On the first day of the expedition we will perform the following tasks.
Briefing by participant leaders
Travel to mountain location
Stop for lunch if needed
Pack backpacks and sled
Rope-up for glacier travel
Progress toward camp 1
white-out navigation scenario
Camp set up, including kitchen, tents and toilet crevasse
In the morning, we will pack up camp, load pack and sleds and make our way to camp 2. At camp 2, we may use fixed lines depending upon route chosen, deal with winds scenario and set-up camp with wind walls and reinforced kitchen.
On the final day, we will make our way to the summit of the selected mountain. The summit ascent may include the use of fixed lines depending on route chosen. Afterward we descend back to camp 2, we will pack up the camp, make our way down to base camp and return home.
Accommodation Tents during the mountaineering sessions, and for the in class sessions there are plenty of accommodation options in the Seattle area that I would be happy to recommend to you. |
Meeting point For the classroom sessions at the classroom location, and for the mountaineering locations, at the mountain previously decided upon in the Cascades area. |
At Miyar Adventures, we know that every trip is as much about discovering yourself as it is about discovering the world. Miyar was founded because of our passion for climbing - a passion we will strive to share with you whether you join us for a trip close to home or in a remote corner of the Himalayas.
We strive to be your trusted companion as you chase your life-long dreams. We believe it is our duty to ensure that you are safe and that you have fun every time you climb with us.
We want to make climbing accessible to all adventure-seekers, regardless of their age and climbing background. And when we go climbing with seasoned climbers, we make sure they have enough of a challenge.
Miyar's guides have relevant training through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) for the terrain in which they guide. This includes training in rock climbing, ice climbing, glacier travel, and snow sports, as well as avalanche training and Wilderness First Responder or higher level medical certification.
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