Are you a seasoned hiker who is interested in challenging yourself to go on day hikes of 15+ miles? Have you seen Go Guide trips describing long-distance day hikes and wondered how you could get into shape to participate in those types of hikes? Well, wonder no more!

The Seattle Hiking Committee offers the Conditioning Hiking Series (CHS) starting in April of each year. This course is designed to prepare seasoned hikers currently experienced at the upper easy/moderate level for the challenges of strenuous, long-distance day hiking. It is also designed to provide a group trip environment in which hikers can build friendships by hiking with some of the same people on each trip. All hiking trips are limited to the participants in the course.

This course is for you if you:

• Have hiked before and already are in fairly good shape (easily able to do hikes rated as Easy and Moderate),
  
• Would like to progress to longer and harder hikes as a challenge,
  
• Are willing to build physical fitness and spend time outside of the course keeping yourself in shape,
• Are able to commit to a summer-long course, and
  
• Would like to be part of a small group that hikes together.
  

Several graduates of the CHS course have said that this is the best course they've
ever taken with the club, and some have even been inspired to become hike leaders!

 

What to Expect: The 2012 CHS course consists of a mandatory daytime class on Saturday, Mar. 24 at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center at Rattlesnake Lake (near North Bend), hike offerings several times per month from April through August, and a graduation hike in September. The class session is designed to teach information needed for longer hike preparation, and to go over course guidelines and expectations. The hikes are composed of progressively more difficult and longer day hikes, culminating in a graduation hike in September.

Prior to your first hike, you will choose a track of fast- or moderate-paced hikes, subject to class size and input from the hike leaders. If you are uncertain which level suits you best, pacing hikes will be offered following the class session on Mar. 24. A tentative hike schedule will be posted to the course website, but past destinations have included season-appropriate hikes in the North Cascades, the Mt. St. Helens area, Eastern Washington, the Olympics, and everywhere in between!

Graduation certificates will be given to those who complete the classroom session, ten CHS day hikes (two per month, April-August), and one CHS graduation hike in September. One day of trail work will also be required of each participant.   

Enrollment Process: You must be a member of The Mountaineers to register for the course. Registration for the 2012 CHS course is from Feb. 27 through Mar. 11. The course fee is $115.00. As with all club hikes, participants are expected to pay the carpooling per mile allotment set by the club guidelines if they are riding as a passenger.

Online or telephone registration is available. Mail-in registration forms will not be accepted--no exceptions! Enrollment will be limited to 80 participants. If the number of signups exceeds 80, then we will use a lottery to cut the roster to 80 participants. There is no advantage to signing up at the beginning of the registration period. Those not selected will be notified by e-mail and will receive a full refund of the course fee.

CHS Contacts: Contact Steve Payne at 253-315-0426 or stevepayne@mindspring.com, or Kelly Cleman at 360-563-0320 or masterhiker@gmail.com. 

CHS Web Site (for detailed course information).