Explore-Share logo and link to home

Cascades, Washington, 9 Day Denali Prep Course

Denali prep course
Denali prep course
Denali prep course 3
Denali prep course
Denali prep course 5

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


Highlights

  • Spend 9 days learning about the important skills needed to Climb Mount Denali.
  • Put your skills to the test on a beautiful peak in the Cascades.
  • Enjoy the beautiful views of the natural landscape of Washington State.

Description

On this 9 day course, our goal is to ensure that you are properly prepared for an ascent of the great Mount Denali (6,190m) in Alaska.

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.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

Please note the price does not include transportation, personal climbing equipment, meals, or guide gratuities.


Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1 of classroom sessions

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

Day 2: Day 2 of classroom sessions

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

Day 3: Day 1 of course sessions on the mountain

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

Day 4: Day 2 of course sessions on the mountain

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

Day 5: Day 3 of course sessions on the mountain

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.

Day 6: Day Off

Day 7: Day 1 of climbing expedition

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

Day 8: Day 2 of climbing expedition to camp 2

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.

Day 9: Summit Day

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.

 

Details

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.

About the guide

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.

Languages

Hindi | English

Certificates

AMGA

Residence

Woodinville, WA, USA


What people are saying about Miyar Adventures

Ben King

5.00

June, 2022

Hisham was a great guide!

Chloe Mikelsons

5.00

August, 2021

I had an amazing time climbing the tooth and the guides Jasmine and Sandeep were great! I really appreciated their flexibility and allowing me to choose a different route up the tooth. Amazing hike in. I’m glad we were able to beat the heat and the crowds.

Martha Salazar

5.00

August, 2021

We had an amazing experience, The Miyar team was outstanding. We all learned so much for our guides Anne and Deim. You all did wonderful in answering all my concerns and questions. Thank you so much!

Donia Salazar

5.00

August, 2021

After speaking with Sandeep at Miyar, we actually opted for a different trip, a 4-day backpacking trip to the High Divide Loop at Olympic National Park. Our guide was amazing and we had a phenomenal time. I'm very thankful for Sandeep's experience and suggestion as I think the Olympic trip was exactly the right trip for us! Communication leading up to the trip left a lot of room for improvement, but everything fell into place at the last minute. Our guide, Chloe, couldn't have been better for my family if I'd handpicked a guide myself. She was knowledgeable, encouraging, supportive, and just an all around genuine human being. I would recommend her anytime!

Katharina

5.00

July, 2021

Myself and my daughter climbed Mt. Baker with Miyar Adventures via Easton Glacier route, Simon was our guide. The whole experience was epic in many ways. Simon's knowledge is excellent, I would trust him 100% in any situations that may come up on the mountain. We learned a lot and it was fun. The overall organization from Miyar was great (including informational emails from Jake and communication with Sandeep). Great company that I would choose again in a heartbeat.

Gillian Hunt

5.00

July, 2021

Sandeep and his wife, Jasmine, are lovely guides! We did a 1 day intro to rock climbing excursion with them and we had a great time! They communicated well and provided us with a fun and safe day of climbing. They chose routes based on our experience and taught us a lot. I highly recommend hiring Miyar Adventures. We have already shared their info with friends and family.

Adam Behmer

4.00

June, 2021

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Mark Maszak

5.00

September, 2020

Whole group summited! Huge thanks to the guides for helping us all get there! It's certainly not an easy climb, but the entire experience was fantastic. Especially loved the snow skills training on the second day. Lots of fun was had practicing the self arrest & team arrest. The team arrest training was a huge confidence builder to see that I wasn’t going to take the entire team down if I fell The lead guide (Glen) was fabulous. You can tell he really enjoys sharing his passion for the outdoors with the guests on his trip. Folks in the store are super helpful as well. Sandeep (owner) is great, and have talked with him in the store & via email several times to get advice. Great pre-trip guidance (including a meeting the night before the climb to make sure you have all the gear you need & nothing you don’t), and you can tell how much Sandeep cares about making sure every guest has a great experience. Lots of reasonably priced gear rental options available here as well if you aren’t sure if mountaineering is for you. Considering a Kili trip while I’m still in good hiking shape, and they’ll be the first place I look at if I decide to book.

Etienne Margraff

5.00

September, 2020

I took the Mountaineering skills course (5 days) in Baker. I learned so much about Glacier travel, rope management, crevasse rescue, and much more! Glen, our guide was awesome and highly knowledgeable. We also got to summit Mt. Baker during the course which was the most magical part! I HIGHLY recommend them!

Jessica Wolford

5.00

September, 2020

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I had the very best experience climbing Mount Baker with Miyar Adventures. Coordination was not the easiest with Covid but they were very communicative throughout the process. This was my first roped travel experience and I felt that Miyar prepared me very well with gear lists and videos before the trip and with hands on training the day before our summit. Everyone was very courteous when it came to masks and social distancing. When we lost our guide just a couple days before due to cold symptoms (he took precautions and got a Covid test right away but the results window may have impacted our trip - it ended up being negative thankfully) the owner, Sandeep, stepped in to guide us! Sandeep made sure we were all safe and had a great time. Our team all summited successfully! I would definitely recommend this guide company and will be booking with them again in the future!

Simone Caliumi

5.00

September, 2020

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Barry

5.00

August, 2020

Five days of awesome is all I can say. Glen our instructor and guide was extremely knowledgeable. I had previous glacier mountaineering experience and his techniques were so much more efficient than what I had been taught. To top it off we had a great summit day.

Dalton Densel

5.00

August, 2020

Everything was great. From the explore share professional that connected me to the guide service, and the guide on the mountain.

Adwait Vaidya

5.00

August, 2020

Overall, an absolutely incredible experience and memories that will last for a long time. For someone who had never done a glacier climb, this was an amazing experience. First time being roped up and getting to stare into the belly of the beast (a crevasse) was an unforgettable experience. Our guides Tyler and Chris were extremely knowledgeable. Throughout our trip they kept sharing interesting anecdotes and tips about climbing. Once we reached basecamp, they took us out in the snow to review cramponing, snow skills and how to wear a harness and attach yourselves to a rope. This was supposed to be a 3 day climb, but due to inclement weather it became a 2 day climb. We lucked out with the weather clearing from first day afternoon until second day evening. On the second day we set out with an alpine start at 2 am. At the summit, the views were absolutely breathtaking - by far the prettiest mountaintop I had seen. We were absolutely surrounded by mountain peaks on every side. We got to spend a nice 40 minutes at the top and hoofed it back to the trailhead by 5 pm. We thought we were done, but no - at the coffee break our guides told us we had paid for 3 days - so what did we want to do on the third day? They took us to a rock-climbing structure and taught us the basics of crevasse rescue and answered a whole bunch of mountaineering questions (we had a LOT). Absolutely unexpected and this third day was the cherry on the top.

Aparna Varma

5.00

July, 2020

This was an absolutely amazing experience for me. I had never climbed a glaciated mountain before, and was completely new to all the skills and equipment required for such a venture. Our guides Chris and Sandeep were super knowledgeable and consistently shared a lot of information with us. We learned how to wear a harness, tie ourselves to a rope, rope team safety, and basic snow skills. We started for the summit around 2:30am and reached the top in about 6 hours. We lucked out weather wise as it was sunny and not windy at all. The view at the top was breathtaking to say the least! Our guides made us feel safe and gave lots of tips on improving our techniques during the climb, so it was a great learning experience. Would definitely do another climb with them again!

Barry Anderson

5.00

July, 2020

This was an exceptional 5 days Mountaineering Skills Course on Mt Baker and Glenn was absolutely amazing and knowledgeable. there was so much info that he was able to explain so well and not only the skills and knowledge but also the science behind why. From meteorology to glaciology to good humour. All around an absolutely excellent Experience. I very rarely write reviews but this was that good that it deserved it

Vishal Vasudevan

5.00

July, 2020

Took the 5 days Mountaineering course on Mt Baker with Miyar. Sandeep is a super friendly person and he was able to set this course up for is on very short notice. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. The guides were super friendly and helpful. I feel more confident on glaciers now that I know glacier travel and crevasse rescue! Would recommend it to anyone interested in getting into mountaineering.

Steven Larson

5.00

July, 2020

Great trip. Weather was only bummer as it rained one whole day. Guides were very helpful and friendly. Plan to do it again next year.

Anders W

5.00

July, 2020

We are a Swedish family of five, of which 3 adult children, who had a truly magical adventure with Miyar Adventures on Mt Baker. Our guide Anthony was absolutely perfect, and took us safely up and down the mountain - thank you so much! Sandeep kept in touch with us and made sure we were safe. A tough and exciting adventure that we will never forget. We are totally satisfied with Miyar Adventures, they were very responsive to our wishes and we recommend anyone who wants an adventure beyond the usual to hire them.

Nick

5.00

June, 2020

I took a 5-day Mountaineering course on Mt. Baker and I would recommend it to anybody who has ever had any interest in climbing mountains! The guides were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We spent our time learning skills that can save our lives and hanging out with some great people. We even climbed to the summit to put all the skills together!

Ameya Rahane

5.00

June, 2020

My wife and I had decided to summit Mt Baker last year. We chose Miyar Adventures for our trip. Booking the trip was really seamless. Sandeep helped us through our scheduling. Closer to the climb, the Miyar staff sent out emails ensuring we were aware of what was expected. We were provided all information on what gear would be needed. Our guides Jonah, Simon, Ryan, and Matt were great They ensured the entire group was well taken care of in the wilderness. We were always made aware of things to be expected on the climb and we felt safe. We went through some beginner snow school training. It helped us learn basic skills of how to walk on the glacier, how to climb steep sections, and most importantly how to stay safe and self-arrest. The summit day was a breeze! It's an experience that we'll cherish for a lifetime. We're going to keep in touch with Miyar Adventures and plan another trip soon!

Parag

5.00

June, 2020

I summited Mt Baker in June with Miyar adventures. The experience was wonderful and one of the best for me. I recently started climbing and I am so glad that I could do MT Baker. I know for a fact that it would not been possible without Miyar adventures. I rented and bought all the necessary gears from Miyar. The owner Sandeep and his staff are very courteous and knowledgeable. They were vey patient with me, I had lot of question and they helped answered to my satisfaction. At MT Baker the guides provided appropriate direction and managed the pace so each member of our group was able to summit. Glen and Tylor are too exceptional guides in Miyar teams with their help and leadership we all were able to summit and safely come back. If you are new or regular hiker if you are looking for company which does right by their customer I would go with Miyar adventures. I hope to do some more trips with Miyar in the future.

Shirley Rawson

5.00

August, 2019

I recently went on a Baker climb with Miyar Adventures and I should say that they organized the trip pretty well and kept us on schedule throughout the trip. Glen helped us with gear picks, glacier travel skills and not to mention taught us few important knots, and gave a demonstration of the crevasse rescue system. Although it's pretty tough to remember all from the demo; I could certainly understand the mechanism of it. Glen and Sandeep showed their commitment to customer service to not only guide us on the climb but teach us few worthwhile skills. I would recommend them for their friendly nature with great guide service being provided.

Anders.Wanhainen12@gmail.com

5.00

July, 2019

We are a Swedish family of five, of which 3 adult children, who had a truly magical adventure with Miyar Adventures on Mt Baker. Our guide Anthony was absolutely perfect and took us safely up and down the mountain - thank you so much! Sandeep kept in touch with us and made sure we were safe. A tough and exciting adventure that we will never forget. We are totally satisfied with Miyar Adventures, they were very responsive to our wishes and we recommend anyone who wants an adventure beyond the usual to hire them.

Mike Ritscher

5.00

June, 2019

The traveller did not leave a comment.


 

 

Find more mountaineering trips in United States

 

Join our newsletter!

Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.