Field trip: Basic Snowshoeing
Basic Snowshoe Field Trip - Paradise Area (winter)
Students will learn, practice and demonstrate basic snowshoe techniques. Registration open to Olympia 2026 basic snowshoe course students and equivalency candidates only.
Contacts
- Sat, Jan 17, 2026
- Olympia Snowshoe Committee
- Snowshoeing
- Basic
- Adults
- Easy/Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 4.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 500 ft
- High Point Elevation: 6,000 ft
- Pace: 1.5 mph with stops for instruction
- 19 (40 capacity)
- 11 (18 capacity)
- Wed, Oct 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
You must be registered for the 2026 Olympia Basic Snowshoe course to register for this trip. Full day field trip at an area with sufficient snow, most likely Mount Rainier National Park. Class will be divided into groups, according to pace and distance, each with two or more instructor-leaders. Students will learn, practice and demonstrate basic snowshoe techniques. We will review Ten Essentials appropriate to Rainier backcountry, identify terrain and avalanche hazards, and practice "Leave No Trace". Time and conditions permitting, we will have an avalanche transceiver demonstration.
Please see Leader's Notes re youth registration in listing for the course.
(Subject to change:) We will meet at Longmire National Inn parking lot, near the museum and the rest rooms at 8:45. If you do not have AWD or 4WD, please arrive by 8:30 to chain up if required. Note: ALL vehicles must carry chains or approved traction aids while traveling in the Park during snow season. Gate should open around 9:00 a.m. If gate, road or weather conditions rule out Paradise, we will walk from the parking lot at Longmire to Rampart Ridge trailhead and/or Eagle Peak Saddle trailhead. Participants can organize carpooling to Longmire, and from Longmire to Paradise. America the Beautiful or other federal lands pass, or vehicle admission fee required. More info closer to trip.
Badges
students will earn:
Basic Snowshoeing Course Student
Paradise
-
USGS Mt Rainier East
Green Trails Mt Rainier East No. 270
Green Trails Paradise No. 270S
Green Trails Mount Rainier Wonderland No. 269SX - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
For the field trip, you must bring the Ten Essentials and clothing, equipment, lunch, snacks and a day pack large enough for all winter gear.
TEN ESSENTIALS: Map (will be provided by leader), compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, emergency shelter, headlamp/flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife, extra food & water. Sun protection, including sunscreen and sunglasses, is a must. Snow reflection is highly damaging to eyes; UV damage and sunburns are common if proper protection is not used.
Snowshoes: metal frame or molded plastic, with crampons, traction bars or other traction features on the bottoms. Ski Poles/Trekking poles with snow baskets. Both available at Whittaker Mountaineering near Rainier Nisqually entrance, White Pass gear rental shop, or at REI stores. We have several pairs of adult and youth MSR Evo snowshoes available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Clothing and other gear will be covered in classroom session. A list will be provided,