The Peaks of the Cascades trip will return in 2010. We will continue on our Quest to climb the glaciated Cascade Peaks from Mt. Shasta to Mt. Baker or from northern California to northern Washington.

In 2009 we couldn’t get a permit to climb Mt. St. Helens so instead did a dayhike up the beautiful Ape Canyon. So this still leaves the summit of this peak on the list.

Here’s the current thoughts on the itinerary, this might change as the years develop:
2009 – Mt. Adams – South Route, Mt. Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver
2010 – Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, South and Middle Sister
2011 – Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Rainier?
2012 – Lassen Peak, Mt. Shasta and backpack the Lost Coast Trail
2013 – Mt. Adams – Adams Glacier, Mt. Olympus, Olympic Coast Backpacking
2014 – Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak

So stay tuned here ( you can subscribe to this page) as more info becomes available. Below is the packing list that would cover these peaks and other assorted information.

This was the 2009 itinerary to give you a timeline idea of what to expect. These are action-packed trips.

This itinerary might vary some from actual. We have allowed time for weather, group acclimatization and varying plans and routes.

July 18 – Day one
Pick up everyone at SeaTac Airport 1pm.
Stop at Tacoma REI for any gear rental (such as boots) or last minute gear purchase.
Stop for dinner en-route (could also cook in camp)
Drive to climbers bivouac camp on Mount St. Helens

Meal – Dinner out or in camp

July 19 – Day two
Climb to the rim of Mount St. Helens (8365’) via Monitor Ridge Route (Appx. 8-12 hrs)
Camp at bivouac camp again

Meal – Breakfast at camp, Lunch on trail, dinner at camp

July 20 – Day three
Travel to Cold Springs trailhead (Mount Adams)
Climb to Lunch Counter on Mt. Adams with all gear
Crampon/ice axe/rope skills practice

Meal – Breakfast at camp, Lunch on trail, dinner at Lunch Counter.

July 21 – Day four
Attempt to summit (12,276’)
Return to lunch counter

Meal – Breakfast at Lunch Counter, Lunch on trail, Dinner at Lunch Counter.

July 22 – Day five
Drive to and camp at Paradise. Snow skills training continued on lower flanks.

Meal – Breakfast en-route, lunch en-route or at Paradise. Dinner at camp

July 23 – Day six
Climb to Camp Muir

Meal – Breakfast at camp, lunch on trail, dinner at Camp Muir.

July 24 – Day seven
Attempt summit (14,410’)
Return to Camp Muir – Assess group energy for other objectives.

Meal – Breakfast at camp, lunch on trail, dinner at Camp Muir.

July 25 – Day eight
Climb down to Paradise
Return to Tacoma
Find hotel to share near airport.

Meal – Breakfast at Camp Muir, lunch on trail. Big dinner in town to celebrate. We’ve earned it.

July 26 – Day nine
Departure from SeaTac Airport

Equipment List:

If you have equipment questions, please let me know. Some of this equipment (noted with star) Quest does have available for usage. We hold a deposit for the course.

We will have 2 smaller rental cars for this trip to haul us around. Our goal is to fit all of this in so don’t overpack. Also, whenever possible bring soft sided items such as duffles. No external frame backpacks or suitcases.

Sleeping Gear:

*Backpack – Approximately 5-6000 Cu In. We’ll be carrying quite a bit of gear to our camps on Adams and Rainier, you want a way to carry all of this.
Small Additional Duffle Bag – To store items you leave behind, such as Rainier food while on Adams.
Small Daypack – For car/airport time.
*Sleeping Bag – Rated to 20 degrees. Down or Synthetic. I will be using a synthetic one.
Compression Bag – To shrink sleeping bag and save pack space
*Sleeping Pad – Foam or inflatable. Bring repair kit if inflatable.
* 3/4 or 4 Season Tent. Don’t compromise here. Bivy Sack/Tarp combos could also work. Discuss if you have questions.

Technical Gear:
*Climbing Helmet
*Lightweight Climbing Harness
*Crampons
*Ice Axe (mountaineering/glacier travel)
Trekking Poles (not optional, please bring to save your knees, we’ll have big loads)
* 3 Locking Carabiners
20′ 5-6mm Cord

Head Gear: (no, not braces)
Warm Fleece Hat – ideally thin enough to also work under helmet.
Balaclava or Neck Gaiter -
Baseball Hat -
Sunglasses – Full wrap or glacier glasses. Don’t skimp here. We can help you pick.
Goggles – Amber lenses help in mixed and stormy weather
Headlamp – with spare batteries. The cold can really eat them up.

Extremities Gear:
Gloves (insulating) – 1-2 pairs of fleece. I bring two different weights of fleece that fit inside each other. The heavier pair should be wind/water resistant or proof.
Gloves (shell) – Waterproof/Windproof.
Mountaineering Boots – Plastic or leather but must be completely rigid (full shank), and insulated.
Hiking Boots/Hiking Shoes – For Adams, Town, and airportCamp Shoes – Crocs work well as do Down Booties.Sandals – for town time and post climb foot relaxation.Gaiters – Knee length, gore-tex or equivalent and fit over your big boots.Socks – Wool or syntethic. Find ones that work for you. Need multiple pairs for trip. Liner socks are optional, some people like them, some don’t. I personally don’t.

Core Gear:
This gear should work for you over several days of climbing. Don’t bring too much but have yourself covered.

Base layers – Synthetic, long sleeve, lightweight. Ventable if possible
Insulating Layers – have several options
Long-sleeve lightweight shirt with collar – synthetic. To protect yourself from the sun on warm glacier practice days.
Shell Jacket – With hood, Gore-Tex or equivalent.
Insulated Parka ideally with hood – for stormy and cold weather.
Street Clothes – for travel times

Leg Gear:
Base Layers – same as above but long leg vs. long sleeved
Insulating layer – fleece pants or equivalent
Shell Pants – Gore-Tex, full side zip if possible.
Lightweight synthetic pants for non-summit days but on snow still
Hiking Shorts
Street Clothes

Other gear to have:
Sunscreen and lip protection. Bring spares.
Utensils, cup, bowl
2-3 quart sized water bottle, wide mouth. Hydration bladders are fine but can freeze so still have 2 bottles with you.
Several Large Garbage bags and zip-locks for keeping things dry
Toiletries – toothbrush, deoderant, etc.
Bio-degradable toilet paper. We’ll also be using the blue bags on Rainier.
Ear Plugs
Camera – if you’re into that sort of thing, spare batteries/memory cards.
Personal Medical supplies – first aid kit (especially for blisters) and any prescription/non-prescription items
Water Purification Source
Stove – per cook group
Fuel Bottle (we’ll get fuel in Tacoma)
Cooking Pots
Cooking Utensils
Reading Materials
Stuff sacks for organizing gear
Knife/Leatherman (put in checked luggage, not carry on).

Payment Schedule

To Register for this Trip please contact our office via phone or e-mail.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 secures your place on the trip.

Full payment is due no later than eight weeks prior to the departure date.

In the Event of Cancellation:
All Extended Trips have a non-refundable deposit to reserve your place on the trip. If for any reason Quest cancels the trip, this will be fully refunded.

If you notify the Quest office of your cancellation after the full payment has been received you will be refunded as follows:

If cancellation notice is received five weeks prior to the trip departure date, you will receive 75% of the balance due after the deposit.

If cancellation notice is received four weeks prior to the trip departure date, you will receive 50% of the balance due after the deposit.

For cancellations received less than four weeks prior to the trip, there can be no refund.