Intro to Backcountry Touring Planning
Mount Baker - Snoqualmie Pass - Stevens Pass | WashingtonField Sessions
We meet at 7:30 am
We will meet at 7:30 am the morning of Day 1 at or near the course venue. Your instructor will provide detailed directions for the meeting point in your pre-course email. Course venue may change at any time due to weather, conditions, or road closures.
You are responsible for all transportation
Transportation is not provided. You will need snow tires or chains to get to our course location.
If you are renting a car, please be aware that most car rental agencies do not permit you to use chains with their vehicles. However, you can try to rent a car from Turo and select “all-wheel drive, ski rack, and snow tires/chains” to find a vehicle that is winter ready. Make vehicle reservations well in advance to secure an appropriate vehicle.
Parking
Like transportation, you are responsible for any parking fees at trailheads. Many ski areas now charge a parking fee per vehicle if you do not have a season pass. Check the venue for your course to verify parking fees or requirements. Your instructor will provide details about the field session meeting locations and any required parking permits in advance.
Winter Travel Advisories
Mountain road and mountain pass conditions can change dramatically over the course of a day. Please check the WSDOT website for conditions reports. Participants are responsible to ensure their vehicle meets WSDOT travel standards which could include required snow tires, chains, and/or AWD or 4WD. We strongly encourage carpooling.
Mount Rainier Courses
For courses at Mount Rainier, the group will meet in Ashford, WA. Alpine Ascents will provide transportation from Ashford to the Paradise trailhead in Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Baker Courses
Between November 1 and May 1, all vehicles on Hwy 542 up to Heather Meadows are required to carry tire chains. This requirement applies to all vehicle types in all weather and road conditions. Weather on Hwy 542 is notoriously quick to change, and sudden storms can appear with little or no warning. Please check the WSDOT website for current condition reports.
Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mountain, and Blewett Pass Courses
For courses at Snoqualmie Pass, chains/all weather tires are encouraged but not typically required unless mandated by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Required Gear
Many items are available to rent through Alpine Ascents’ Gear Department. If you plan to rent from us, you can pick up gear during business hours (9am-4:30pm) on Thursday or Friday before your course.
Food
Students need to bring their own lunches for the two field training days. These are long days, so please plan to bring about 1,000 calories of food.
Here’s a sample lunch pack:
- Cold pizza, fresh sandwich, or burrito
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- Piece of fresh fruit
- Trail mix
- A bakery cookie
- Small bag of chips or similar salty snack
- Cold drink mix for your water
Courses like these require a much higher energy expenditure on a daily basis than what you may expect. Eating well and frequently not only sustains energy levels but also keeps positive morale and attitude. By nature, mountains have periods of inclement weather and it is important that caloric intake be high and regular to help avoid hypothermia and other cold weather or altitude-related problems.
Lodging
Lodging between your two field days (night of Day 1) is not provided. Book lodging wherever you prefer near the course venue, or return home if you live locally. Below are some suggestions based on the venue of your course. We also recommend third party options, like Airbnb.
Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass is about 55 miles east of Seattle and is a reasonable day trip or an enjoyable overnight.
Summit Inn | (425) 434-6300
Stevens Pass
Stevens Pass falls between the town of Skykomish (16.2 miles away) and Leavenworth (35.2 miles away) and while options exist in either town, the faux Bavarian village of Leavenworth has many more hotels, restaurants, and is a travel destination in its own right.
Bavarian Lodge, Leavenworth | (888) 717 7878
Cascadia Inn, Skykomish | (425) 293 1937
Mount Baker
The closest town to our Baker courses is Glacier, Washington (~ 22 miles). Bellingham, Washington is farther away (~60 miles) but is a much larger town and has more lodging options and restaurants.
Blue T Lodge | (360) 599 9944
Mount Rainier
The closest town to our Rainier venue is Ashford, Washington.
Whittaker’s Bunkhouse | (360) 569-2439
Nisqually Lodge | (360) 569-8804
Alexander’s Lodge | (360) 569-2300
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
Tipping
Guides are permitted to accept and greatly appreciate tips. An average tip for the guide team is $50-100.
Please be aware that we are unable to process tips by card. You are welcome to tip your guides with cash or via mobile payment such as Venmo or PayPal.
