SheJumps Baker Fundraising Climb + Ski 2022 (5/5-5/8)

Schedule

Thu May 05 2022 at 04:00 pm to Sun May 08 2022 at 06:00 pm

Location

Alpine Ascents International | Seattle, WA

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The SheJumps Mt. Baker Fundraising Climb + Ski: An all-women's adventure benefitting SheJumps
About this Event

The SheJumps Mt. Baker Fundraising Climb + Ski: An all-women's adventure with Alpine Ascents International benefitting the mission of SheJumps to increase participation of women and girls in outdoor activities.

The heavy winter storms of the Pacific Northwest leave the Coleman, Deming, and Easton glaciers of Mt. Baker (Koma Kulshan) smooth and blanketed with large fields of white each spring. It’s the perfect playground for skiers who like a LOT of vertical descent. With a day of ski mountaineering training, a majestic northwest summit, and over a vertical mile of turns on the descent, a guided summit ski descent of Mt. Baker is one of the best three-day adventures imaginable. The skiing at its steepest reaches 35+ degrees on the Roman Wall. This program is for very fit, advanced skiers with a great sense of adventure. 


This trip is open to all individuals who identify as female, are in excellent physical condition, with advanced downhill skiing or riding ability, and previous ski touring experience. Participants should feel comfortable on black diamond terrain in ski areas, and be able to ski a variety of off-piste (ungroomed) snow conditions. Participants should be able to ascend and descend 5,000 vertical feet in a day of backcountry touring, carrying a 15-20 lb backpack, or 3,000 vertical feet carrying a 35-40 lb backpack.


Whether you’re a ski mountaineering fanatic, knocking one adventure off the bucket list or want to help inspire a new generation of outdoor women, the SheJumps Mt. Baker Climb + Ski will give you an experience unlike any other. You’ll receive fundraising support, gear incentives, conditioning recommendations and a community rooting for your success. If you’ve ever wanted to summit & ski one of the world’s most amazing peaks, now’s your chance!

The SheJumps Mt. Baker Fundraising Climb + Ski takes place May 5-8, 2022.


SPIRIT OF THE CLIMB

There is a unique spirit of camaraderie with all SheJumps events. Endless high fives, gut busting laughs, and summit dance parties are just the beginning. We consciously foster a positive energy that exudes encouragement in stride with the technical, physical and emotional challenge at hand. Our all-female guide and staff offer support and expertise throughout your training, fundraising and of course, the climb. This is sure to be the experience of a lifetime!


REGISTRATION AND COST

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your space. Upon submitting your $500 deposit, you will be notified of your acceptance to the climb and directed to complete the Participation Agreement.

You are not officially registered until you have completed & signed the Participation Agreement here:

Each climber agrees to fundraise $2,700 for SheJumps, which is in addition to the $500 deposit (paid here through Eventbrite).

This climb includes guiding, course instruction, all group climbing equipment, tents, and meals (except for lunches). Gratuity for the guides is not included, please budget accordingly; it's greatly appreciated. Each climber must provide their own transportation to Seattle, WA. We highly recommend also purchasing trip insurance for this event.


FAQs

How much do I have to fundraise?

As further detailed in the “Participation Agreement”, each climber agrees to fundraise or be personally responsible for a fundraising total of $2,700 for SheJumps. This amount does not include the deposit. Half of the Fundraising Total due to SheJumps by February 5, 2022 (“Midpoint Fundraising Deadline”), and the other half of the Fundraising Total due to SheJumps by April 28, 2022, (“Final Fundraising Deadline”).


Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

No. This is a very popular climb with a long list of climbers waiting to participate, we will release open spots to the waitlist.


If I have to cancel for some reason, do I get my deposit back?

No. Your deposit is non-refundable. The closer we get to the course, the harder it will be for us to fill your spot. We recommend looking into options for trip interruption/cancellation insurance.


What does the climb include?

In addition to guiding / instruction, this climb includes all group climbing equipment, including climbing ropes and technical hardware, and meals (except lunch), and tents.  Personal equipment and lunches are not provided. You are responsible for all items on the Gear List.


Alpine Ascents is happy to offer She Jumps climbers a 25% discount on rental prices and a 10% discount at the Alpine Ascents Gear Shop located at their Seattle office.  


How fit do I need to be?

You need to be in the best shape of your life. In the best interest of personal safety, success, and team compatibility, adequate training and excellent physical condition are required.

Comprehensive training information can be found here. Be sure to note the separate tabs for phase 1, 2, and 3 of training.

Do I need to have previous experience backpacking and backcountry skiing/riding?

Yes and YES! This trip is open to all individuals who identify with the women’s community who are in excellent physical condition, with advanced downhill skiing or riding ability, and previous ski touring experience. Prior experience backpacking is also required. Participants should be able to comfortably ski black diamond terrain (off-piste) in a variety of snow conditions with a 15-20 lb backpack, and ascend and descend 5,000' vertical feet in a day of backcountry touring carrying a 15-20 lb backpack. Participants must be able carry an average of 40 lbs. or more on the ascent and descent to our alpine base camp.


What kind of gear do I need?

You’ll need everything necessary to climb and ski a big mountain. If you’re unsure of what those items are then this probably isn’t the right trip for you. Check out the full gear list here.


What’s the itinerary?

Day before climb - May 5

Our ski descent of Mount Baker starts in Seattle with a mandatory gear check at the Alpine Ascents office at 4pm to ensure that everyone is fully equipped and prepared to depart the next morning. Rental gear is fitted and packed at this time. We’ll also review the functionality of each piece of gear, packing our backpacks, wilderness ethics, and Leave No Trace practices. Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.


Day 1 - May 6: Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead to Base Camp

We will meet at the trailhead at 8:00AM. Depending on conditions, snow coverage, and other variables we will choose between either the Easton (south side) or Coleman-Deming (north side) routes for our descent.

After we put the finishing touches on our packs, we will begin our approach which will include ~2,750' of elevation gain and take four to five hours with a 40-pound pack. Approach conditions vary from year to year and can even change significantly in a week. Therefore, some trips we can skin from the trailhead and others we wear trail shoes and carry our skis and boots until we hit consistent snow cover.

Taking breaks between one-hour sections of uphill travel, we will travel from thick forest to a camp location in open, alpine terrain. Once we establish camp, we will cover Leave No Trace principles we will follow for the next three days. Though there is often time to get a quick end of day ski run, most are content to rest in camp after the long approach.


Day 2 - May 7: Ski Training Day + Powder Run

A successful ascent and ski descent of a glaciated mountain such as Mount Baker requires a diverse skill set. We will spend the morning working on safe and efficient walking on snow with crampons and ice axe as well as covering basic self-arrest on snow (we may need to ascend the last section to the summit on foot instead of skinning).

In the afternoon, we will don our harnesses and head out for our first glaciated ski tour and learn the nuances of skiing on a glacier and how to use ski crampons. Though we will practice skinning roped up (as one would during any glaciated ascent on foot), ski travel on glaciers is possible without always being on a rope for two reasons. The first is that skis (and splitboards) provide for weight distribution that makes it unlikely a person would “punch” into a crevasse they might otherwise fall into if traveling on foot. The second is that the season for ski descents on Mount Baker is also when the glaciers are the most filled in with snow from the winter – most of the crevasses are thickly bridged or even fully filled in with snow! Expect a 4-6 hour tour with a 15 pound pack and ~2,000' elevation change.

After our ski tour and orientation with the route to the summit, we will have dinner, prepare for summit day and get some much needed rest.


Day 3 - May 8: Basecamp to Summit to Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead

After a quick breakfast, we will depart camp on skis and soon be skinning up either the Easton or Coleman Glaciers depending on the route chosen prior to the trip departure. On both routes, we skin for 3-4 hours through and around crevasses until hitting the base of the Roman Wall, the final steep climb to the summit of Mount Baker. This major feature on the west side of the mountain is shared by both routes and is usually the transition point to steeper terrain where skis go on our packs and boot crampons go on our feet. After a final 1,000’ of elevation gain, we hit the summit plateau and make the short walk over to the true summit. Total elevation gain is ~4,350'.

Unlike standard mountaineering ascents where the descent on foot to return to camp can be a tedious affair, we strip the skins from our skis and prepare for a 5,000’ ski run. After carefully navigating the steep entrance to the Roman Wall, we can open up our turns and enjoy the thrill of skiing a big, glaciated mountain. Once back at camp, we will bask in the glory of our descent and enjoy the view of our tracks snaking down the glacier above.

At midday, we pack up camp and begin our descent back to the trailhead with a combination of skiing and walking depending on snow cover and other factors. From there, it’s time for a well-deserved meal and the final few hours of driving back to our office in Seattle. Total time on the mountain this day may range from 8-12 hours.


Is food provided on the trip?

Yes.  We provide on-mountain breakfast and dinners on the climb.  Please bring a cup, bowl, and a spoon. Climbers are responsible for their own lunch foods and snacks.  If you have any food allergies or requirements, please let us know in advance. There is a place on the application to do this.  


What is the climber to guide ratio?

The trip will be run at a 3:1 ratio. 


What happens if the climb is cancelled due to a global pandemic?

If the climb is cancelled in the case of continued risk of the spread of COVID-19, SheJumps will credit Participant with 50% of funds raised at the time of cancellation. These funds may only be used toward a fundraising climb in the following calendar year. Under no circumstances are fundraising amounts refunded or credited back to the individual donors. Participant may choose to donate these funds to SheJumps.


More questions?

Contact Robyn Gelfand: [email protected]

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SheJumps increases the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities to foster confidence, leadership, and connection to nature and community through free and low-cost outdoor education.


We believe in increasing diversity in the outdoors and providing ALL women and girls with the spark that will lead to a lifetime of outdoor learning and empowerment. We welcome all women and girls (transgender and cisgender) as well as non-binary people who identify with the women’s community.


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Where is it happening?

Alpine Ascents International, 109 W Mercer St, Seattle, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 500.00

SheJumps

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