Conditioning Hiking Series - Seattle - 2017

Day Hiking Course

Conditioning Hiking Series

Conditioning Hiking Series - Seattle - 2017

Please Note- Registration will open to the general public beginning Feb. 1st. Prior course graduates are asked to wait until Feb 11 to register. We will be monitoring sign ups and you will be removed from the roster if you attempt to register before your applicable  date!

Thank you for your attention to this, and if you are not sure how to register please email info@mountaineers.org or karidurr@hotmail.com

Overview: Are you a seasoned hiker who is interested in challenging yourself to go on day hikes of 15+ miles? Have you seen trip entries 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 March 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 hikes are limited to participants in the course.

Audience: Although there are no prerequisites for this course, it is NOT for beginning hikers. (Check out our Wilderness Skills course if you're just getting started.) You should be capable of a minimum sustained pace of 1.75 miles per hour (think 75 minutes up Rattlesnake Ledge Trail). Participants are encouraged to build physical fitness and spend time outside of the course keeping themselves in shape. You should be available and committed to go on eleven hikes over the course of the summer. You should also enjoy group hiking and socializing with your fellow participants.

What to Expect: The 2017 CHS course consists of a mandatory daytime class on Saturday, March 11 at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center, progressively more difficult and longer day hikes several times a 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. Each participant is also required to do one day of trail maintenance.  

Prior to your first hike in April, you will choose a track of moderate- or fast-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 on March 18. 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, Columbia Gorge, the Olympic Peninsula, 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), one CHS graduation hike in September, and one day of trail maintenance.   

Enrollment Process and Costs: You must be a member of The Mountaineers to register for the course. Registration is open from Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Tuesday, Feb. 28. Online or telephone registration is available. Mail-in registration forms will not be accepted. Enrollment will be limited to 120 participants. The course has a first-come, first-served signup procedure. Past graduates of the course are welcome to register, but are requested to wait until Saturday, Feb. 11. If the number of signups exceeds 120, you will be waitlisted for the course and may receive a slot if someone drops the course prior to our May hikes. Those remaining on the waitlist as of May 1 will receive priority signup for the course in 2018.

The course fee is $125.00. As with all club hikes, participants are expected to contribute toward carpooling costs if they are riding as a passenger. Our optional overnight trips have extra costs associated with them. We frequently stop for an inexpensive meal or snack following our hikes.

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
CHS - Just for Fun (optional)
Iron Goat Trail
Sun, Nov 5, 2017
Registration closed Nov 2
4 participants
0 instructors
Iron Goat Loop
Sun, Oct 28, 2018
Registration closed Oct 26
2 participants on waitlist
CHS Mixer (optional)
Seattle Program Center
Mon, Mar 12, 2018
Registration closed Mar 10
27 participants
CHS 2 Hike (optional)
Lake Serene
Sat, May 25, 2019
Registration closed May 23
3 participants on waitlist
Colchuck Lake
Sun, Jun 2, 2019
Registration closed May 31
4 participants
Pratt Lake Trail
Sat, Jun 22, 2019
Registration closed Jun 20
0 participants
Indian Henry's Hunting Ground
Sat, Aug 17, 2019
Registration closed Aug 15
1 participant
Around Mother Mountain
Sun, Sep 22, 2019
Registration closed Sep 20
11 participants
Mount Teneriffe
Fri, Aug 6, 2021
Registration closed Aug 4
8 participants
Wilderness Peak Loop
Sat, Apr 1, 2023
Registration closed Mar 30
0 participants
CHS - Mt. Rainier Campout (optional)
Ohanapecosh Campground
Wed, Jul 24, 2019
Registration closed Jul 22
10 participants
$10.00
Ohanapecosh Campground
Thu, Jul 25, 2019
Registration closed Jul 23
14 participants
0 instructors
$10.00
Ohanapecosh Campground
Fri, Jul 26, 2019
Registration closed Jul 24
4 participants
1 instructor
$12.50
Ohanapecosh Campground
Sat, Jul 27, 2019
Registration closed Jul 25
1 participant on waitlist
0 instructors
$12.50
CHS Campout - Tent Site (optional)
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Thu, Aug 22, 2019
Registration closed Aug 20
35 participants
7 instructors
$15.00
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Fri, Aug 23, 2019
Registration closed Aug 21
4 participants
0 instructors
$17.50
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Sat, Aug 24, 2019
Registration closed Aug 22
6 participants
0 instructors
$17.50
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Sun, Aug 25, 2019
Registration closed Aug 23
37 participants
5 instructors
$15.00
CHS - North Cascades Campout (optional)
Thornton Lakes & Trappers Peak
Sun, Aug 25, 2019
Registration closed Aug 23
3 participants
CHS Orientation
Seattle Program Center
Sat, Mar 14, 2020
Registration closed Mar 12
17 participants
CHS 1 Hike (optional)
Lake Serene
Sun, Jun 26, 2022
Registration closed Jun 24
4 participants

Additional badges needed to graduate

Completed

Roster
Required Equipment

Ten Essential Systems

  1. Navigation (map & compass)
  2. Sun protection (sunglasses & sunscreen)
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
  5. First-aid supplies
  6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candle)
  7. Repair kit and tools
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter (tent/plastic tube tent/garbage bag)

Trekking poles and snow traction devices (YakTrax, Microspikes, Stablicers, etc.) are highly recommended, but not required. 

Course Materials

You must register for this course to see course materials.