Policies

1. Registration

   To join us on a climb fill out our online registration form. You will not be charged any application fee, but you will be required to put a credit card on file. Within two business days you will receive a call confirming your acceptance into the program, and you will be provided the "Climber Agreement Form.” Your space will NOT be secured until you have signed and returned this form. Upon receipt of the "Climber Agreement Form" your credit card will be charged a $500 deposit and your space will be reserved.

Fundraising Deadline

You must complete all fundraising 30 days prior to your climb date. If you do not meet the total by this date, you will be charged the balance of your fundraising requirement. You have until 30 days after your climb to continue raising funds, at which point you may be eligible for a deposit refund (see below).

Deposit Requirement

When you have signed and returned the “Climber Agreement Form” your on-file credit card will be charged the $500 deposit. This deposit is required to reserve your space and will be held until completion of your fundraising requirement. Alumni climbers may qualify for a reduced deposit (see below).

Deposit Reduction for Alumni Climbers

Return climbers who exceeded their previous years fundraising goal by at least the deposit amount can register with a 25% deposit.

Deposit Refund

Your initial deposit will be credited toward your fundraising requirement. 30 days after your climb you have the option of, 1) donating your deposit to getting more youth outdoors, 2) requesting a refund up to the amount of deposits/payments that you have made towards your fundraising requirement.

Example -
If your fundraising requirement is $4,000 and (including your $500 deposit) you raise . . .
. . . a total of $4,500 or more, your entire deposit will be refunded upon request.
. . . a total of $4,200, you would be eligible for a refund of $200 upon request.
. . . a total of $4,000, you would not be eligible for a refund.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Once you have registered and signed the “Climber Agreement” you are obligated to complete your fundraising requirement regardless of your participation in the climb. If you cancel for any reason prior to fulfillment of your fundraising requirement your credit card will be charged the balance due at the time of cancellation. We cannot make exceptions for any reason.

A note about this policy:
We depend on climber-driven fundraising to help us generate the funds that get thousands of kids outdoors every year. We offer comprehensive support to every climber that registers and we are unable to divert those resources away from supporting each individual climber in order to fill spaces that reopen due to cancellations.

Gear Package

Your gear will be provided to you when you complete your fundraising requirement, and no later than 30 days in advance of your climb at the time of your fundraising deadline. We will do our best to ensure proper sizing of gear, but reserve the right to change the gear package and substitute styles per availability.

Some technical gear will be provided on loan by the guide service as part of your climb-package. This gear includes boots, ice-axe, crampons, climbing harness, helmet, ropes and carabiners. Any gear that is necessary for your trip, and that is not provided either as part of the gear package or on-loan from the guide service is your responsibility to provide. All of these items are clearly outlined in the climber packet, which you will receive upon registration.

No-gear Option

If you are planning to provide your own gear, please indicate this on your application form. By doing so, your fundraising requirement will be reduced by $300. Suitability of specific gear will be subject to the approval of your climb coordinator.

Food

You will be responsible for providing some of your own food during your trip. See your climber packet for more detailed information regarding the food on your climb.

Tipping Your Guides

It is standard to tip the guides that you climb with, and you should expect to personally spend about $50-$100 tipping the guide(s) that helped you along the way. For example, if you climbed with one guide throughout the trip you might tip that person $100. If you spent about half your time with one guide and half with another, you might tip each $50, and so on.

Travel

You are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from the mountain. We will do our best to help facilitate carpools where possible. Carpools are most readily available from the Bay Area to Shasta and Cathedral Peak and from SEA-TAC airport to Mt. Rainier.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many people will I be climbing with?

   Each climb is different, but group size varies depending on many factors, including the difficulty of the climb, the terrain, and the preferences of the guide service. Take a look at the peaks for more details on individual climbs.

2. Will I get to meet the other climbers before the trip?

   There is a pre-trip meeting three months before your climb. See your Climber Orientation Packet for exact location, date and time. Attendance at this meeting (either in person or by conference call) is mandatory for all climbers. At this time you'll try on your mountaineering gear and go over trip logistics. This is also a great opportunity to meet your fellow climbers and ask questions about your climb.

3. My friend and I signed up together. Can we be on the same rope-team?

   Probably. Guides determine which individuals will be roped together based on performance on the mountain. In most cases they are happy to accommodate friends and family who prefer to climb on the same rope team. Let them know about your relationship at the outset of the trip so that they can plan accordingly.

4. How do I get to the climb?

   Climbers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the climb. We encourage carpooling - see your Climber Orientation packet for more information about arranging this with your fellow climbers.

5. How much money do I have to raise?

   Each climb is different, but the fundraising goals range from $4,000 to $5,000 depending on many factors including the length of the trip and the location. Take a look at the peaks for more details about individual climbs, and see the fundraising page for general fundraising questions.

6. Can I raise that much money in a few months?

   Yes, you can. Throw a party, a silent auction, raffle, or poker tournament. Ask friends, family and coworkers. Write hand-written notes, make phone calls and follow-up. Explain the cause. Tell people your fundraising goal. Then ask again. We understand that raising this amount of money can be a bit intimidating, but once you get started you'll be surprised at how much fun you'll have. See our fundraising page for more information and consult your Climber Packet for ideas and inspiration from past climbers and professional fundraisers alike.

7. What else do I have to pay for?

   Climbers are individually responsible for transportation to and from the climb, lunches and in some cases dinners throughout the trip. Plan to spend about $100 tipping your guide(s).

8. Should I tip my guides?

   Your guides are experts in a very specialized set of skills. Their job is to keep you safe on the mountain, and if possible, help you achieve the summit. One thing they are not, is well-paid. It is customary to tip the guides 10-20% of the commercial value of your trip. You should plan to spend about $100 tipping your guide(s).

9. Do I need to have mountaineering experience?

   Most of our climbs require no previous mountaineering experience, though prior mountaineering, backpacking, camping, and climbing experience are all helpful. Each trip includes professional instruction in the mountaineering techniques that you will use during your ascent. These training day(s) will help you prepare mentally and physically for the challenges you will face on the mountain. Consult your Climb Coordinator if you have specific concerns about your fitness or experience level.

10. How should I train for the climb?

    The mountains that you'll climb with us were chosen for their rare beauty, classic routes, and physical challenge. They require endurance and mental stamina. In general, you should be working out at least four times a week, and at least one workout per week should have you exerting yourself for several hours. See Current Climbers for more information about Training, and consult your Climber Orientation Packet.

11. Which mountain is hardest?

    Those interested in rock climbing should choose Cathedral Peak. If you're looking for a snow/glacier climb choose Shasta if it's your first time climbing a mountain. Those with a bit of glacier or snow-climbing, especially Alumni climbers, should test themselves on Rainier. No matter which mountain you choose, a once-in-a-lifetime challenge is ahead of you. Your Climb Coordinator can answer specific questions about your interests and experience and help you choose the mountain that's right for you. You can also take a look at what each entails here.

12. Will I have problems with altitude?

    See Current Climbers for more information about altitude illness, and consult your Climber Orientation Packet.

13. Will I summit?

    We hope so. All of our summit climbs are in reach of any person in good physical shape who is determined to adapt his or her skills to the varied environment. However, due to changing weather, individual physical fitness, and other safety considerations not everyone will summit a mountain every time they try. Mountaineering is as much about knowing when to turn back, as it is about reaching the top. That's why it's called Climbing and not Summiting.

14. Is food provided?

    Each climb is different, but in general climbers will be responsible for bringing their own food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the mountain. See your Climber Packet for more information about nutrition, and consult your Climber Orientation Packet for specific information about what meals you'll need to provide for yourself.

15. Is this climb for adults or kids?

    This is a fundraising climb for adults to support BAWT’s mission to get urban youth into the wilderness. Minors may also participate, but are responsible for meeting the same fundraising goals as all other climbers. Parents of the minor must sign a liability release and are responsible for insuring that their young person meets the minimum fundraising goal.

16. Will there be porters/sherpas to carry my equipment?

    That would be too easy! You’ll be carrying your own gear as well as some group gear like tents, stoves and fuel. On the way to high camp your pack can weigh anywhere from 35 to 50 pounds, depending on your height and weight.

17. Should I bring my cell phone, ipod or a book?

    No. One of the best parts of climbing a mountain is the remote setting. We encourage you to immerse yourself in the wilderness. Plus, you’ll benefit from every opportunity to shave a few ounces off your pack.

18. What is BAWT?

    Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) is a project of Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)(3) corporation founded by environmental activist and climber David Brower. Brower’s legacy as a climber with hundreds of first ascents on High Sierra peaks is only overshadowed by his legacy as a tireless champion of the environment. Read more about BAWT, Brower and Earth Island Institute.