Conditioning Hiking Series - Olympia - 2025

Day Hiking Course

Conditioning Hiking Series

Course opens to Olympia branch members on Saturday February 1st. Open for all branches Mountaineers on Tuesday February 11th. This course offers participants the chance to improve their fitness level and and build a community of hiking partners. Beginning March 16th and running through September, the course provides a structure of increasing challenges through hikes that are scheduled to bring you to new heights and places as you gain fitness.

Overview: The Olympia Branch Conditioning Hiking Series Course (CHS) is designed for hikers who can complete hikes of 4-5 miles and want to improve their fitness level working up to a graduation hike of twelve+ miles. The course provides access to hikes of increasing length and elevation gain from April through October and requires completion of a graduation hike of about 12 miles in September. The course creates a small-group environment in which hikers can build friendships by hiking with many of the same people throughout the summer. Completing the course requires commitment to fitness activities in addition to course hikes. 

Graduation Requirements:

  • Complete an orientation class on Sunday March 16th (mandatory for all participants who have not completed the Olympia CHS course orientation before.  If you have completed the Olympia CHS course orientation in the past, you do not need to complete it a second time).
  • Have a current Mountaineers Stewardship Credit badge on September 30th
  • Complete The Mountaineers online “Low impact recreation” course prior to starting the course.
  • Complete a minimum of two hiking trips per month from April through August. The distance and elevation gain for the hikes is designed to grow each month
  • Complete a graduation hike in September
  • Record your activities on a monthly course activity survey

CHS hikes may visit a variety of areas including the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, Eastern Washington, the Kitsap peninsula, Mount St. Helens, and the Issaquah Alps. Our goal is to offer hikes on each weekend day of the month as well as occasional weekday offerings for those with flexible schedules. 

How far? How high? How fast?:

Month

Round trip length

Typical trip elevation gain

April

4-7 miles

500-1500 feet

May

5-8 miles

500-2600 feet

June

6-9 miles

1000-2500+ feet

July

7-10 miles

1500-3000 feet

August

8-11 miles

2000-3500+ feet

September (Graduation)

9-12 miles

2500-4000+ feet

Pacing will vary between 1.5 and 2.5 miles per hour, depending on conditions. Hike leaders will post their target pace range for each hike, and you're encouraged to contact them if you have questions about their hikes. 

Active Membership Requiredneeds-based scholarships are available if either the membership or course fee would be a financial burden.

Questions?:   Please contact  CHS Co-chair Terri Pressly at presslyterri@gmail.com or CHS Co-chair Mike McIntosh at free_2_climb@yahoo.com

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
CHS Initial Course Meeting
Griffin Fire District Station 2
Sun, Mar 16, 2025
Registration closes Mar 14
6 participants
3 instructors

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  1. Navigation
  2. Sun protection
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination
  5. First aid supplies
  6. Fire
  7. Repair kit and tools, including knife
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter