ALPINE START ^TM 

Conditioning for mountaineering

Of all the sports we do mountaineering gets the vote for the most popular among our clients & instructors. It's hard to compare the feeling of being well trained and confident on a high mountain peak.

This year Alpine Start ^tm climbers have enjoyed a summer filled with safe and memorable climbs. Summit successes have been high with 95% of climbers attaining their summit goals.

We've enjoyed a successful season on Mt Rainier and an great alliance with Rainier Mountaineering. Based on this years success we will be expanding our mountaineering training programs to include 3 programs for 2007.

These programs will all take place in and around the Seattle area and on Mt Rainier. Registration begins October 1st. Courses begin January 2007. Please e-mail if you would like to receive information. climb@adventx.com  

Alpine Start

This program will focus on providing comprehensive fitness conditioning training for the novice climber. The program will begin in January and consist of twice monthly day hikes, weekly endurance, lectures & clinics. The program will be offered to people training with Charity climbs, local climbing clubs and independent climbing groups.

Ability Level - Novice  

Summit Climb

To the top combines the Alpine Start training program with a professionally led climb of 14,411 ft high Mount Rainier. This will include a four day summit climb in July.

Summit climb offers the chance to climb as part of a team of climbers & guides who will train together and then climb together.

Ability Level - Novice

Expedition Training & Summit Climb

This program is designed to prepare climbers to lead Alpine & Glacier climbs. As climbers prepare physically over the winter & spring additional training  will begin with navigation, technical rope work, avalanche assessment and skills. During these months we'll develop snow & rock skills including indoor climbing & snowshoeing. By the time of the climb in July, every team member will be in great shape.

The final portion of this course will be the expedition seminar. We will select a less traveled route on Mt Rainier and for the next six days will ascend, on varied terrain practicing route finding, glacier navigation, crevasse rescue, ice climbing and team leadership. Weather permitting we'll make summit attempts on Little Tahoma, (Washington's third highest peak) and Columbia Crest, at 14,411 feet - the true summit of Mount Rainier

This course is offered to the climber with experience being part of a rope team or having graduated from a basic climbing program. The physical demands will be rigorous; with long days, steep terrain, glacier camps  and of course expedition sized packs. The program will be run by RMI with Senior and AMGA certified professional guides.