What’s makes the Cascade Olympic Adventure special?
Since 1973, over 2,500 students have climbed Mt. Rainer with us. That’s five times more than the combined totals of all other programs for young adults! We know how to prepare you for this climb better than anyone and our success rate on Mt. Rainier is proof of this. We have conducted this amazing trip with so much variety and so little travel time since 1982.
Do I need special equipment to climb Mt. Rainier?
We will provide all climbing equipment for you. We not only provide the equipment for this experience but we will teach you how to use it as well. Once you have enrolled you will receive a detailed list of what equipment to bring. There are a couple of personal clothing items required for the climb that you can rent (down parka and overmitts).
Do I need previous climbing experience to climb Mt. Rainier?
Absolutely not! Wilderness Ventures works with professional mountain guides to prepare you for the Rainier climb. You will learn how to safely travel on snow and ice, using the provided mountaineering equipment such as crampons and ice axes.
What are things that I could do before the trip starts to physically prepare myself?
Any reasonable fit and active teen will be successful on the Cascade Olympic trip. If you are playing a sport this spring that will provide you with the preparation you need. At least four weeks before your trip you should begin to break in your boots. Start out with small walks around your neighborhood and work your way up to three-hour hikes. Your Cascade Olympic experience will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic level of fitness and well-broken in boots.
What will my trip leaders be like?
One of the strongest components of Wilderness Ventures is the leaders. We take great pride in our leaders and spend a great deal of time and energy in choosing each one. The average age is about 25. Your trips will have at least one male and one female leader. These are some of the most dynamic, intelligent, and interesting people in the world. Each has a love for the outdoors, and a passion for teaching and working with young adults. They are great role models and have an incredible ability to facilitate each trip from backcountry travel to group dynamics. Most are teachers in traditional schools, outdoor/environmental programs or other teaching related programs. Our return rate is very high so most of our leaders have worked with us for multiple seasons. You will have a great time getting to know your leaders and will benefit from their vast experiences.
What kind of food will I eat this summer?
Your fellow trip participants, with help from your leaders, will create the menus for your trip. Everyone will be involved in this process to ensure a wide variety of food choices that provide a balanced diet to fuel our bodies. We shop in regular grocery stores and teach you how to plan for and obtain great food for backcountry travels. The food is delicious, healthy, and there will be plenty of it.
Since Mt. Rainier is covered in snow, won’t my hiking boots get wet during the climb?
No. During the Mt. Rainier climb we are going to use a special boot, plastic mountaineering boots. They are more durable then the hiking boots you are going to be using on the rest of your trip. They are also waterproof, which makes them perfect for the glacier travel we are going to be doing. These boots will be part of the technical equipment that Wilderness Ventures will provide for the Mt. Rainier climb.
Will we be taking showers and doing laundry?
Yes! After each backcountry section we will be taking showers and doing our laundry. It’s also a great time to write a letter home to tell your family and friends about the backcountry section you just completed.
What’s the weather like in Washington?
Most people think of Seattle and think that it rains every day all year long. This is not true at all. While the winter months are wet and rainy in the Seattle area, we take advantage of the three months in the year when the weather is at its best. June, July and August are typically beautiful with sunny days and cool nights, perfect for our adventures in the surrounding areas that make the Northwest such a beautiful place.
How do you backpack on a beach?
The Olympic beaches offer some of the most unique and beautiful terrain for backpacking in the world. This is a great place to learn how to backpack. Most of the time is spent on long flat beaches that can only be traveled to by foot. At some spots we climb up and over the headlands of points to link different beaches together. We usually camp just on the edge of the old growth forest, right next to the beach. The sunsets are amazing and the area is great for a fantastic backpacking experience.
