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 29th and running through mid-July, 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.

Contacts

Dan Miller

Leader

Mike McIntosh

Leader

Terri Pressly

Leader

Sat, Mar 29, 2025 - Thu, Jul 31, 2025
Committee: Olympia Hiking & Backpacking Committee
Members: $125.00
Apply for a scholarship
Availability: FULL, 4 on waitlist (30 capacity)
Cancellation & Refund Policy

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 nine+ miles. The course provides access to hikes of increasing length and elevation gain from April through June and requires completion of a graduation hike of nine-plus in July. 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 29th (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 July 31st
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 July
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 (Graduation)	9+ miles	2000+ 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 Required: needs-based scholarships are available if either the membership or course fee would be a financial burden.

Questions?: Please contact CHS Chair Dan Miller at mudcoastie02@comcast.net