gone alpine goes into the wild

Hey ladies! if you want to get wild and head into the backcountry come with us!

The Pacific Northwest is an excellent place to live, but a better place to see behind the scenes. Most of our lives we watch as the men go out on their weekend get away's with the guys while the ladies stay at home, be jealous and wait for their return. Well we are putting a twist on the word "guys weekend". Gone Alpine is taking the girls out into the wilderness and teaching them a thing or two. When we come back, the 'girl' has become more than a lady, they become someone much stronger and instilled with confidence as individuals in the backcountry.

Good question, it's women taking women out into places we have come to love and adore ourselves here in the Pacific Northwest. With all the growing curiosity in the backcountry there becomes more of a need for more education than just watching someone learn how to make fire on the tv with reality shows. Both pack instructors and guides have lived in the Northwest all their lives. Though they have houses and families, the backcountry has become their home. Trained and skilled in mountain rescue, wilderness first-aid, they have spent years exploring, climbing, hiking, and sleeping in the Cascades. Mud baths, waterfalls and river crossings are not foreign features to them. Adventure is what they go for, in the safest environment the backcountry can offer.

If you want to do something special, learn life lasting wilderness skills, with a friend or family member, the girls with Gone Alpine would love to take you into their backyard and show you the beauty of what's out there and teach you a thing or two about the wilds of the wilderness. Trips can last 3 to 7 days depending on what you are up for. Most groups are no more than 10 students (typical group size shown below). Private trips are also available upon request. You will without a doubt learn a whole new appreciation for yourself, the wilderness and what the wilderness has to offer.

All classes take place in the backcountry for the entire trip. You will receive a class syllabus, which will walk you through training your thought process. Get you familiar with the trip and what you can hope to learn. Once we leave the trailhead you are in the classroom, while on trail you will be taking in more than dirt trails, trees and water-holes. There will be scheduled "class hours" and other times you can just "hang out" and enjoy where you are. Preparation is key and participation is crucial to your learning. Classes stay small (no more than 10 students), are held rain or shine (unless there is an unlikely storm or event that would put us in harms way), we figure if you can learn in any type of weather in a class setting... you'll do GREAT anywhere!

Beginner backpacking: This means either you've never been backpacking* before or been a time or two and realized you need to know better the in's and out's of the wilderness. You want to find out if backpacking is your thing but don't know much about it. You have some experience hiking or some level of outdoor activities. Hiking for 5 - 7 miles with low elevation gain is easy for you. Camping is not totally foreign to you, but when you go, someone else usually sets up camp. In 3 days and two nights (same camp) you will learn the basics of how to hike with a pack, use of map and compass, navigation, route finding and obstacle avoidance, setting up camp, caring for duties in the wilderness and how to make it back safely. If nothing else, after this trip you will have bragging rights, you'll make your mother squirm and your father proud.

* For the record this is how we define Backpacking: Hiking in the backcountry with boots, up to 30+ lb pack, eating, sleeping, and pooping in the wilderness. Where bugs, birds and blisters are common sights. Hot and cold are experienced through out the day and rain is just another word for water. Sleep is worthy and peace of mind is earned. Cares of the day are gone and new friends are made.

Intermediate backpacking: You are an experienced hiker, been backpacking or camping frequently with your family or as a kid. Hiking 8 - 15 miles with moderate elevation gain is easy for you. You love the wilderness and want to spend more time in it. With this trip you will refine your skills in the backcountry over 3 days and two nights on the move. Learn how to fluently read a map with compass, navigate and plot our course, fine tune your survival skills and be first aid and rescue ready. After this trip you can definitely show the guys a thing or two, your brother will be jealous.

Advanced backpacking: As far as you are concerned the wilderness is where it is all at and you want to do whatever you can to be out in it. You have experience in backpacking and have no problem getting up early and do what it takes to get it all done. Hiking 16 - 20+ miles with rolling elevation gain and at moderate altitude is a thrill ride waiting to happen. You have the time and just want to perfect your skills or take on a new level of backpacking with guidance. On this trip you can show off all your new gear, sweat and blisters, this is skill fine tuning, remembering what is hopefully second nature over a multi-day trip. This is good fun right here, you might not want to tell ma about this one.

Destination	Area	Duration	Availability	Experience level
Class trips:
Eagle Creek	Columbia Gorge - Oregon	3 days	May - July W-F Now filling	Beginner backpacking
Minotaur Lake and Labyrinth Mt	North Cascades - Washington	3 days	September - M-F Now filling	Beginner/Intermediate backpacking
Eagle Creek Loop	Columbia Gorge - Oregon	3 days	June/July W-F Now filling	Intermediate backpacking
Domkey Lake	North Cascades - Washington	3 days	August - Inquire	Beginner backpacking
TBD	Washington - Oregon	5 - 7 days	Inquire	Advanced backpacking

Private trips:
Shi Shi	Olympic Peninsula - Washington	3 days	July - Inquire	Beginner backpacking
All above or TBD	Washington - Oregon	3 - 5 days	Inquire	Beginner - Advanced backpacking

Details of class/trip

Destination	Trip description	Elevation/Mileage details	Local provisions	Items provided
Eagle Creek Beginner backpacking Cost: $275 ea person or $247 ea 2 or more	This beginner backpacking trip leads you up Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. This is a very popular hike for the first 2 miles into Punch Bowl Falls. After which you pass and continue on to follow the creek to camp after passing numerous falls. The photos you take along the way will be more than worth the trip. You will spend 2 nights in the same camp area. When you return you will have a new lease on life and either wonder why you didn't do this sooner or can't wait to sleep in your own bed. Day 1 - Trip check in by 10:00am - Hike into Wy' East Camp with sight stops along the way. Learn about the basics of how to hike with a pack, setting camp, caring for duties in the wilderness and how to make it back safely, along with other skills to take you through the trip. Day 2 - Hike up to navigational points on the Benson Plateau, learn use of navigation, use of map and compass, route finding and obstacle avoidance, hike back to camp, dinner time, map scenarios and crash out. Day 3 - Breakfast, review of class, Q & A, break camp and return to trailhead by 1:00pm for post trip check out.	Day 1 - Starting point is 120ft above sea level. 5 Miles to Wy' East Camp where elevation is about 930ft. Gain is minimal, 810ft. Day 2 - Day hike to Day 3 - Camp 930ft to trail head 120ft. Loss is minimal 810ft.	Camp areas, no toilets, no running water, no camp fires allowed.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima)
Minotaur Lake and Labyrinth Mt Beginner/ Intermediate backpacking Cost: $296 ea person or $268 ea 2 or more	Labyrinth lies in a Grecian setting. Minotaur and Theseus are cherubic lakes occupying high glacial cirques. Heather meadows and alpine firs complete the mythological scene. In autumn the setting is particularly ethereal with purple, magenta, and auburn hues infusing the hillsides. The views from the summit are of mountains west to Sevens Pass, north to Glacier Peak, and eastward beyond Lake Wenatchee. Day 1 - Trip check in 11:00am - Learn about the basics of how to hike with a pack and head out. Hike into Minotaur Lake from the Minotaur Lake trailhead at 3800 feet, the trail will switch back up hill, and then heads more up with less switch, not much formal trail and views are limited. Get to practice some route finding skills with map and compass. Find our way to camp in 3 miles at Minotaur Lake. Get the skinny on setting camp, caring for duties in the wilderness and how to make it back safely, along with other skills to take you through the trip. Day 2 - Hike up to navigational points on Labyrinth (or other viewpoint), learn uses in navigation, use of map and compass, route finding and obstacle avoidance, hike back to camp, dinner time, map scenarios and crash out. Day 3 - Breakfast, review of class, Q & A, break camp and return to trailhead by 2:00pm for post trip check out.	Day 1 - Starting point is 3800ft above sea level. 3.5 miles to camp at Minotaur Lake where elevation is about 5550ft. Gain is moderate, 2700ft. Day 2 - Day hike to Day 3 - Camp 930ft to trail head 120ft. Loss is minimal 810ft.	Camp areas, no toilets, no running water, no camp fires allowed.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima)
Eagle Creek Loop Intermediate backpacking Cost: $298 ea person or $270 ea 2 or more	This intermediate backpacking trip leads you up Eagle Creek in the Columbia River Gorge, up to its starting point, top of Tanner Butte and back down to Eagle Creek Campground. Day 1 is a similar to the Eagle Creek trip. After which you follow the creek to camp after passing numerous falls, too many to count. With this trip you will in the backcountry 3 days and 2 nights on the move. You will spend both nights in different camp areas. This is the start of something great for you. This trip gives you experience and confidence in the backcountry while with those whose skills you can learn from. Day 1 - Trip check in at 10:00am - Hike into 7 1/2 Mile Camp with sight stops along the way. You will pass Punch Bowl, Loowit and Tunnel Falls. Sharpen refine your compass and map reading skills, how to set camp and extended trip skills to take you through the 3 days. Day 2 - Break camp and hike up and into Dublin Lake after passing where Eagle Creek starts, Big Cedar Springs and Tanner Butte. This is a long day on the trail but worth every step of the way. This day you will navigate and plot our course, fine tune your survival skills and be first aid and rescue ready, set camp and crash. You will find out what it takes to be 'in the wild' of a real backpack trip. Day 3 - Breakfast, review of class, Q & A, break camp, hike down to Wauna Point, and Eagle Creek campground by 4:00pm for post trip check out.	Day 1 - Starting point is 120ft above sea level. 7.5 Miles to 7 1/2 Mile Camp where elevation is about 1720ft. Gain is minimal, 1600ft. Day 2 - Hike from 7 1/2 Mile Camp where elevation is 1720ft to Tanner Butte where elevation is 4500ft, gain is moderate, about 2780ft. Hike to Camp at Dublin Lake where elevation is 3500ft, loss is minimal, about 1000ft. Day 3 - Hike from camp at Dublin lake where elevation is 3500ft to Eagle Creek Campground where elevation is 120ft, loss is moderate about 3380ft.	Camp areas, no toilets, no running water, no camp fires allowed.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima)
Other:
Domkey Lake Beginner backpacking *Cost:** $248 ea person or $220 ea 2 or more *cost excludes ferry.	This beginner backpacking trip is truly an adventure. It starts with a 2 hour ferry ride to the trailhead in a small town in Lucerne. From there we hike into Domkey Lake camp. Domke's water is warm enough for swimming and wading. The trail is short enough for a day hike, but Domke Lake has enough attractions to justify staying overnight. Day 1 - Trip check in - Grab our packs and head for the ferry. The two hour boat ride we will start on map reading and route finding. Hike from trailhead in Lucerne to Domkey Lake camp. Learn about map reading, water filtration, basic skills to take you through the trip. Day 2 - Spend the day exploring the lake and the beauty of the area. Kick back and relax or take a walk about. If you are into trout, we will toss in a line and you can taste fresh fish for dinner. Day 3 - Break camp and hike out. Take a peak around town and take the ferry back to our starting point and post trip check out by (ferry pending).	Day 1 - Starting point is 1100ft. 3.25 miles to camp at Domkey Lake where elevation is 2200ft, elevation gain is minimal to moderate, 1100ft. Day 2 - Day stay at 2200ft. Day 3 - Domkey Lake camp at 2200ft to trailhead at Lucerne elevation loss is minimal to moderate, about 1100ft.	Ferry ride to trailhead Camp area and picnic tables.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima)
Shi Shi Beginner backpacking *Cost:** $272 ea person or $244 ea 2 or more *cost excludes ferry	This beginner trip starts off on a ferry ride from to the trailhead. From here we set off for the ocean. If you are an ocean lover, this may be the trip for you. However its a little different than a day at the beach with the family. From the trailhead we hike in through old growth ocean forests. This often means magnificent trees, boardwalks and often a bit of mud. After which it pours out onto the sand and Pacific Ocean and on a clear day, that is the sight to see. A walk down the sand to our camp finishes this day of activity. Day 1 - Trip check in - Head to the ferry. Hike along the old growth ocean forests and out to the beach. Learn about map reading, water filtration, basic skills to take you through the trip. Day 2 - Exploring the ocean. You have the day all to your own here, we will take a walk along the beach and check out the tide pools. Hopefully it will be a gorgeous trip and you will take several 100 pictures of oceanic beauty. Day 3 - Break camp and head out the way we came. Trip check out is by pm (ferry pending).	Day 1, 2, and 3 are all at sea level, minimal elevation gain/loss, not even enough to count.	Beach camping, beach fires are allowed. No toilets, water available at trailheads.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima)
Private instruction and Advanced trips Cost: $120 ea person or $106 ea 2 or more per day	PCT multi routes available Washington or Oregon. -------------------------------- Enchantments - Pending permit availability Other places available, please inquire	Total distance covered roughly 50 to 70 miles in 5 - 7 days, all depending on route taken. Elevation gain varies with top elevation of apx 7000ft. ------------------ Total distance covered about 17 - 25 miles in 3 - 5 days Elevation gain up to 6700ft with top elevation of apx 8000ft	Camp areas, occasional to no toilets, no running water, no camp fires allowed. PCT permit at trailhead. ------------------ Camp areas, occasional to no toilets, no running water, no camp fires allowed.	Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima) avail upon request prior to leaving trailhead. ------------------ Hot coffee, tea, or mate', hot cocoa, electrolytes (Ultima) avail upon request prior to leaving trailhead.

Items available upon request (however not available after leaving trailhead)

Items available	Cost
Class syllabus (one included with class, per person)	$10
Basic Backpacking First Aid kit - Includes 1 Moleskin, 8 assorted band-aids, 2 antibiotic ointment, 2 Benadryl strips.	$5
Hot hands heat warmers - 2 per	$2 per pair
5 x 7 group photo of your trip	free, one copy per person
additional 5 x 7 group photo of your trip.	$6 each
DVD/CD of photos taken from your trip. (This will be mailed to you within two weeks of the trip).	$10
Calendar available from photos from your trip (This will be mailed to you within two weeks of the trip).	$14

*Only after deposit of $75 is made your space in the class secure. Fee includes trip information which is mailed upon receipt of deposit and wavier, the class syllabus which is yours to keep post trip and mailed about 2 weeks prior your class date. You will receive one copy per person, this will be required for use during class, if you forget it and need a replacement a $10 fee will be charged. Full payment for trip must be made by trip check in. Full refunds available prior 14 days to trip.

Availability limited, sign up early, classes fill quickly!

Best way to register is by calling to put name on registration/attendee list, print wavier and mail deposit.

For information or registration call or email either:

206 999 4077 or 503 547 7859 trip_classes@gonealpine.com

*At NO time is there ever allowed animals/pets, fire-arms, or other assault devices on any trip. Due to personal allergies, local prohibitions, laws and safety regulations all items will never be made available nor will be suitable during or on any trip with Gone Alpine. Larger animals such as bear and cats scare easily and are rarely if ever a threat. For your personal comfort and safety if desired a registered/purchased bear spray canister is allowed as long as it is carried in a holster on your pack. Pocket knifes are allowed as well as other utensils. Items are all thoroughly checked for upon class check in and will be required to leave behind. If you are caught with these items while on our trip, you will loose all funds for class, will be escorted out, and never allowed into one of our trips/classes, so we suggest you leave it all at home. - Thank you

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