Domestic FAQs
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What is the difference between a “scheduled” and a “custom” course/climb?
SchedÂuled coursÂes and climbs are offered with fixed dates, prices, and strucÂture. They are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, and are genÂerÂalÂly less expenÂsive. These are our core offerÂings, and are well-estabÂlished, and clasÂsic objecÂtives. HowÂevÂer, we are very excitÂed to explore new terÂrain and climbs, and welÂcome your sugÂgesÂtions for new venues or routes.
CusÂtom coursÂes and climbs are booked accordÂing to your preÂferred trip dates and itinÂerÂary. The price strucÂture and inclusions/​exclusions are disÂcussed in detail in the ​“CusÂtom Trips” link on our website.
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What is included in the cost of my SCHEDULED alpine course or climb?
- ProÂfesÂsionÂal guidÂing and instruction
- Climbing/​backcountry perÂmits (except Mount Rainier Climb)
- TransÂportaÂtion from SeatÂtle to the trailÂhead and back
- All meals, stoves, fuel, and cookÂing equipÂment while on the trip (not includÂed for courses)
- Tents
- Group climbÂing gear
- CampÂground fees for sumÂmit climbs and courses
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What is NOT included in the cost of my SCHEDULED alpine course or climb?
- AirÂfare
- TransÂportaÂtion withÂin Seattle
- Hotel accomÂmoÂdaÂtions
- Meals, stoves, fuel, and cookÂing equipÂment while on courses
- Guide graÂtuÂities
- PerÂsonÂal climbÂing gear
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What is included in the cost of my CUSTOM alpine course or climb?
- ProÂfesÂsionÂal guidÂing and instruction
- Climbing/​backcountry perÂmits (except Mount Rainier Climb)
- All meals while on the trip for WashÂingÂton climbs
- Tents for WashÂingÂton climbs
- Group climbÂing gear
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What is NOT included in the cost of my CUSTOM alpine course or climb?
- AirÂfare
- TransÂportaÂtion for yourÂself and your guide.*
- Lodging/​camping fees
- ParkÂing perÂmits where needed
- Meals for climbs outÂside of WashÂingÂton State and on rock climbs
- RestauÂrant meals for yourÂself and your guide.
- All perÂsonÂal climbÂing and campÂing equipment
*AvailÂable at addiÂtionÂal cost in Washington
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Are my services different on a custom trip from a regularly scheduled trip?
Yes. The costs for a cusÂtom trip include proÂfesÂsionÂal guidÂing serÂvices, meals, cookÂing gear, tents, and group techÂniÂcal gear. You are responÂsiÂble for transÂportaÂtion for yourÂself and your guide(s), as well as camp fees and park passÂes. Please call our office for details.
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How quickly do the trips fill?
UnforÂtuÂnateÂly, there is no way to foreÂsee how quickÂly or which of our trips are going to fill. It is always in your best interÂest to subÂmit your appliÂcaÂtion and deposit as soon as you have decidÂed which trip date you want to join.
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How do I register for a trip?
Sign up directÂly on our webÂsite. You will need to fill out the appliÂcaÂtion form and subÂmit a credÂit card deposit.
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What is the deposit amount to hold my space?
$300. This includes a $75 non-refundÂable regÂisÂtraÂtion fee.
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When do I need to pay the balance of my trip?
For most trips, your balÂance is due 60 days from trip deparÂture. There are cerÂtain excepÂtions. Please refer to the payÂment polÂiÂcy for your speÂcifÂic trip. Your final balÂance may be paid by check, monÂey order, ACH or credÂit card. With a credÂit card, there is a 3% conÂveÂnience fee.
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What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
If you need to canÂcel your trip, MounÂtain MadÂness must be notiÂfied in writÂing. Your trip will be canÂcelled from the date we receive writÂten notice. You will be assessed a canÂcelÂlaÂtion fee accordÂing to the folÂlowÂing schedule:
- More than 60 days from trip deparÂture — $75 fee regÂisÂtraÂtion fee
- 60 days or less from trip deparÂture – 100% of trip cost
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What happens if I want to change the dates of my trip?
All date changes must be received in writÂing. There will be a fee of $100 for domesÂtic date changes. Any date change can be extremeÂly difÂfiÂcult and is subÂject to all addiÂtionÂal incurred expensÂes as assessed by MounÂtain MadÂness. Changes will be made at the sole disÂcreÂtion of MounÂtain MadÂness and may not be posÂsiÂble. Date changes are for credÂit only (no refunds) and valid for one year from writÂten change notification.
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What happens if Mountain Madness has to cancel my trip?
In the unlikeÂly event that MounÂtain MadÂness must canÂcel a trip due to insufÂfiÂcient parÂticÂiÂpants or othÂer reaÂsons beyond our conÂtrol, you will receive a full refund. HowÂevÂer, refunds for expensÂes incurred by the parÂticÂiÂpant, such as airÂfare, are not posÂsiÂble. For this reaÂson, we strongÂly sugÂgest parÂticÂiÂpants conÂsidÂer purÂchasÂing trip canÂcelÂlaÂtion insurÂance – see below.
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Do I need to purchase trip insurance?
MounÂtain MadÂness highÂly encourÂages the purÂchasÂing of trip canÂcelÂlaÂtion and travÂel insurÂance. This comÂpreÂhenÂsive travÂel insurÂance proÂvides covÂerÂage for trip canÂcelÂlaÂtion and interÂrupÂtion, travÂel delays, loss of bagÂgage and travÂel docÂuÂments, bagÂgage delays, medÂical expensÂes and emerÂgency assistance.
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When should I plan to arrive/leave Seattle?
We often get this quesÂtion because most peoÂple need to know how much time to take off work. Our NorthÂwest trips begin at 6:30 am in SeatÂtle on the first date of your trip unless othÂerÂwise notÂed. ThereÂfore, you will want to arrive the day before your climb or course begins. Due to the nature of mounÂtaineerÂing, our return time to SeatÂtle on the last day is often unpreÂdictable. We sugÂgest you make a hotel reserÂvaÂtion for the night of the last day and plan to return home on the day folÂlowÂing the end of your course or climb.
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What if I want to arrive earlier or depart later than the trip dates?
No probÂlem! There is a lot to see and do in the SeatÂtle area, and we would be hapÂpy to recÂomÂmend our favorite attracÂtions, restauÂrants, and day trips.
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Where should I stay in Seattle?
For our NorthÂwest trips, we recÂomÂmend the Hotel BalÂlard. Let them know that you are climbÂing with MounÂtain MadÂness for our speÂcial group rate. Their conÂtact inforÂmaÂtion is includÂed with your trip conÂfirÂmaÂtion. We will pick you up at the Hotel BalÂlard at 6:30 am the mornÂing of the first day of your trip. If you choose to stay elseÂwhere a pick-up may be posÂsiÂble, or you will need to arrange transÂport to the meetÂing spot on your own.
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How do I get where I need to be?
For schedÂuled coursÂes and climbs, you should fly into SeatÂtle-TacoÂma InterÂnaÂtionÂal AirÂport (SeaTÂac). You are responÂsiÂble for your transÂportaÂtion to downÂtown SeatÂtle. We meet as a group at 7 am for our oriÂenÂtaÂtion meetÂing and equipÂment checks.
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Can Mountain Madness help make my airline and hotel reservations?
No, MounÂtain MadÂness is not a travÂel agent, and does not book airÂfare or hotels. We are hapÂpy to help you with arrival and deparÂture dates/​times and highÂly recÂomÂmend our comÂpaÂny travÂel agent, PirÂjo Dehart at CTT DesÂtiÂnaÂtions to help with any travÂel arrangeÂments you need to make. We have worked with PirÂjo for years, she knows our trips well and has booked countÂless airÂline miles for both our clients and guides. Please call PirÂjo at (800)909‑6647 or email her at mountainmadness@​cttdestinations.​com.
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Who will my guide(s) be?
All of our guides are highÂly skilled proÂfesÂsionÂals who have been selectÂed based on their techÂniÂcal proÂfiÂcienÂcy, proven climbÂing expeÂriÂence, careÂful judgÂment, patient and supÂportÂive teachÂing styles, and great perÂsonÂalÂiÂties. At a minÂiÂmum, all of our guides hold curÂrent WilderÂness First ResponÂder cerÂtiÂfiÂcaÂtion and are proÂfiÂcient in techÂniÂcal resÂcue and evacÂuÂaÂtion skills. Our guides are dedÂiÂcatÂed to the world of alpinÂism, many havÂing first ascents and sucÂcessÂful sumÂmits on major peaks from the CasÂcades to Mt. EverÂest. In addiÂtion to their broad scope of perÂsonÂal achieveÂments in the field, many MounÂtain MadÂness guides have eduÂcaÂtionÂal backÂgrounds in fields such as natÂurÂal hisÂtoÂry, enviÂronÂment and wilderÂness eduÂcaÂtion, and culÂturÂal anthroÂpolÂoÂgy that can enhance your learnÂing expeÂriÂence. MounÂtain MadÂness is accredÂitÂed with the AmerÂiÂcan MounÂtain Guides AssoÂciÂaÂtion (AMGA) and many of our guides hold proÂfesÂsionÂal cerÂtiÂfiÂcaÂtions with the AMGA in the rock, alpine, and ski disÂciÂplines, or are in the process of obtainÂing cerÂtiÂfiÂcaÂtion. The AMGA is part of the IFMÂGA which is the interÂnaÂtionÂal body of cerÂtiÂfied mounÂtain guides.
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How much should I tip my guides?
TipÂping is conÂsidÂered stanÂdard pracÂtice in the guidÂing indusÂtry. TipÂping amounts vary, so ultiÂmateÂly it is up to your disÂcreÂtion, and how satÂisÂfied you are with the qualÂiÂty of your trip. Our expeÂriÂence indiÂcates that 15 – 20% of the course cost is a good rule-of-thumb.
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What do I need to bring?
A comÂplete clothÂing and equipÂment list speÂcifÂic to your trip will be sent to you in a pre-deparÂture packÂet upon regÂisÂtraÂtion. Every year we review our lists and assess feedÂback from our clients and guides for updatÂing these lists, givÂing you the most comÂplete and up-to-date guideÂlines. Feel free to call us if you have quesÂtions or need help locatÂing any of the items on the list. For a sucÂcessÂful trip, it is extremeÂly imporÂtant that you adhere strictÂly to the equipÂment list.
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How do I know if I have the right equipment for a course or climb?
PriÂor to departÂing on your trip, our staff will conÂtact you a call to disÂcuss the parÂticÂuÂlars of your course or climb. This typÂiÂcalÂly hapÂpens about 10 days out. At this time you can review the equipÂment you have selectÂed. Before purÂchasÂing any equipÂment, you are welÂcome to call us and ask for recÂomÂmenÂdaÂtions. We know that selectÂing the right gear can be a chalÂlenge and we are hapÂpy to help.
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Can I rent equipment from Mountain Madness?
MounÂtain MadÂness has gear availÂable for rent for our NorthÂwest coursÂes and climbs. These items include mounÂtaineerÂing boots, cramÂpons, ice axes, harÂnessÂes, helÂmets, backÂpacks, sleepÂing bags and sleepÂing pads, and trekking poles. QuanÂtiÂties are limÂitÂed and in high demand durÂing peak seaÂson, so please conÂtact us as soon as posÂsiÂble if you are interÂestÂed. We do not rent rock climbÂing shoes. Please see our rental page for pricing.
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How heavy will my pack be?
You will be required to carÂry a porÂtion of the group gear and food in addiÂtion to your perÂsonÂal gear. This should be takÂen into conÂsidÂerÂaÂtion when decidÂing what you will bring. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your pack weight below 40 pounds, which will allow for adding the group equipment.
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Is it possible for me to store extra gear and clothing that I will not need?
In most casÂes, yes, but that is not guarÂanÂteed as the option of storÂing extra gear and clothÂing varies dependÂing on the hotel. You will also be able to leave a small amount in our vehiÂcle at the trailÂhead (such as a change of clothes). We do not, howÂevÂer, recÂomÂmend leavÂing valuÂables at the trailhead.
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What kind of food will there be on my trip?
At MounÂtain MadÂness, we pride ourÂselves in preparÂing great mounÂtain cuiÂsine and we offer this added levÂel of serÂvice on our sumÂmit climbs and cusÂtom trips. Our many years of mounÂtain travÂel have proÂvidÂed us with time-testÂed and nutriÂtious meal plans. Be sure to bring along your favorite munchies, enerÂgy food, and after dinÂner treats. If you have speÂcifÂic allergies/​restrictions/​preferences, please note that on your appliÂcaÂtion and your guide(s) will do their best to proÂvide meals accordingly.
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What will the weather be like on my trip?
Like all large mounÂtain ranges, the CasÂcades tend to genÂerÂate and attract their own weathÂer, makÂing conÂdiÂtions imposÂsiÂble to preÂdict. TypÂiÂcalÂly July, August, and SepÂtemÂber have the best weathÂer, but optiÂmum or adverse weathÂer can occur at any time. You should be preÂpared for a wide range of temÂperÂaÂtures, from freezÂing nights and snowy and windy conÂdiÂtions, to bright sunÂshine intenÂsiÂfied by high altiÂtude. These wide flucÂtuÂaÂtions make it espeÂcialÂly imporÂtant to bring everyÂthing on the equipÂment list. Because our climbs and coursÂes take place in the unpreÂdictable mounÂtain enviÂronÂment, your guides will make deciÂsions regardÂing the trip itinÂerÂary based on curÂrent weathÂer and route conÂdiÂtions. MounÂtain MadÂness guides will make every attempt to folÂlow our trip itinÂerÂaries, but the deciÂsion to amend an itinÂerÂary is always at the disÂcreÂtion of your guide. SumÂmits are not guarÂanÂteed, and failÂure to sumÂmit is not sufÂfiÂcient cause for a refund.
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What if someone on my rope team gets sick? Will I have to descend/lose my summit opportunity?
For all of our climbs and coursÂes, parÂticÂiÂpants must rememÂber that they are part of a team and that the well-being of everyÂone on the team is more imporÂtant than any one indiÂvidÂual reachÂing the sumÂmit. If the entire group is required to get a team memÂber down, they will be called upon to assist the guides and staff. If it is extremeÂly imporÂtant that you have the highÂest chance of sucÂcess we sugÂgest you conÂsidÂer arrangÂing a cusÂtom trip to ensure the best posÂsiÂble client to guide ratio.
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Are Mountain Madness trips rated in accordance with their level of difficulty?
Yes. The folÂlowÂing outÂline indiÂcates how we rate our trips and what the recÂomÂmenÂdaÂtions are for parÂticÂiÂpaÂtion on a climb or course.
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Climbing Grades Defined:
- BeginÂner: no preÂviÂous mounÂtaineerÂing skills required
- Advanced BeginÂner: basic mounÂtaineerÂing skills recÂomÂmendÂed includÂing self-arrest, cramÂponÂing, ice axe use, rope and glacÂiÂer travÂel experience
- InterÂmeÂdiÂate: basic mounÂtaineerÂing skills recÂomÂmendÂed in addiÂtion to expeÂriÂence on techÂniÂcal terÂrain conÂsistÂing of 40 – 50 degree snow/​ice slopes.
- Advanced InterÂmeÂdiÂate: interÂmeÂdiÂate mounÂtaineerÂing skills recÂomÂmendÂed and proven expeÂriÂence on techÂniÂcal terrain.
- Advanced: intermediate/​advanced mounÂtaineerÂing skills recÂomÂmendÂed in addiÂtion to expeÂriÂence on techÂniÂcal terÂrain, includÂing rock and ice climbing.
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How physically fit do I have to be to participate on a Mountain Madness Trip?
Most of our trips are physÂiÂcalÂly demandÂing, and your abilÂiÂty to enjoy the advenÂture depends on your health and fitÂness. Your trip will be more rewardÂing if you preÂpare for it by conÂdiÂtionÂing propÂerÂly well in advance. We believe that the best form of trainÂing is simÂuÂlatÂing the activÂiÂty you are trainÂing for, and then increasÂing the IndoneÂsia of exerÂtion as the rouÂtine becomes easier.
For examÂple, walkÂing up hills and stair climbÂing are excelÂlent ways to conÂdiÂtion your lowÂer body, heart and lungs for climbÂing. Begin slowÂly, withÂout the weight of a pack, and evenÂtuÂalÂly add weight as you increase your trainÂing pace. Then begin takÂing longer hikes sevÂerÂal times a week with a weightÂed pack. Use water conÂtainÂers for uphill hikes, then empÂty the conÂtents for the descent to reduce knee stress. SupÂpleÂment these workÂouts with runÂning, swimÂming, bicyÂcling, or othÂer forms of aerÂoÂbic activÂiÂty. AddiÂtionÂalÂly, we highÂly recÂomÂmend that you incorÂpoÂrate a weight trainÂing rĂ©gime into your trainÂing proÂgram to build upper-body strength.
Begin your daiÂly trainÂing sevÂerÂal months priÂor to your trip. If you have quesÂtions, conÂtact MounÂtain MadÂness to disÂcuss how best to help you preÂpare for your course or climb.
Please see our trainÂing page for detailed information.
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Is there a minimum age requirement?
We will accept parÂticÂiÂpants 15 years or oldÂer on our regÂuÂlarÂly schedÂuled trips, if they are accomÂpaÂnied by a legal guardian. You must be 18 years or oldÂer to attend a MounÂtain MadÂness trip on your own. We will be hapÂpy to accomÂmoÂdate peoÂple under the age of 15 on cusÂtom trips only.