INtermediate
THE eldorado SUMMIT HAS A HIMALAYAN-LIKE SPLENDOR.
8,868' - Cascades Mountain Range, WA.
Dates
July 24-28, 2021
Fundraising Minimum
$2,400
About The Climb
This mountain is home to dramatic peaks and a true mountain experience. Beginners and novice climbers will be challenged (in a good way) on this climb. The North Cascades is the training ground for climbers desiring to gain experience before hitting the big mountains and more technical alpine routes.
Known for its awe-inspiring alpine ascent, this four-day expedition is one of the classic climbs in the Pacific Northwest. Summiting at 8,876 feet in elevation, climbers will ascend a little over 6,700 feet. Don’t be fooled by the lower elevation, as this peak boasts a classic alpine approach through water-crossings, scree/talus and boulder fields, and glaciers to get to high camp, followed by a challenging knife’s edge final approach.
High camp boasts one of the best views you may ever experience. The summit push will have your heart pounding as you work your way up an exhilarating “knife-edge” snow ridge to the narrow summit of Eldorado Peak.
Times: 6-8 hour climb, trailhead to camp, 4-6 hour climb camp to summit & return. See details in the itinerary below.
physical Requirements & Training
This climb is open to all physically fit climbers with prior experience backpacking and camping in mountain environments. Climbers will be expected to train for the climb and be able to carry a 40-50-pound pack for extended periods. A 9-week training schedule (example) will be provided, as well as team motivation via social media.
Fundraising
Each climber is expected to raise $2,400 towards Climb For Hope’s mission of funding breast cancer and MS research and providing life-changing experiences for those affected by cancer.
When you sign up, we will provide a GoFundMe fundraising page, for you to solicit or make donations. We are more than happy to help you with fundraising ideas, email templates, and marketing support, especially if you don’t have a lot of fundraising experience.
Costs
Hotel, guide fees, group equipment (tents, cooking gear, fuel) as well as breakfasts and dinners on the mountain are provided by Climb For Hope. Climbers are only responsible for travel to and from Seattle, lunches on the mountain, energy bars, and meals in town, including the celebratory post-climb dinner.
Gear
Many of the items on our recommended gear list can be borrowed or rented. Climb For Hope has extra sleeping bags and other gear, so please contact us before purchasing items you may not use again. Before we set out for the mountain, we can rent mountaineering boots and purchase any gear you may still need.
THE GUIDES
Our longtime partners, the experienced and professional guides at Rare Earth Adventures, handle all the nitty-gritty details of our adventure, so that we can focus on the landscape and our own personal experiences. Not only are they also highly trained to keep us safe and respond to emergencies, but they’re pretty good mountain cooks too!
Team Lead
Team Lead Dan Kaplan on Mt. Rainier 2017
This climb is lead by Dan Kaplan, a long-time Climb for Hoper and alpine enthusiast. Dan has had many family members survive cancer and is committed to Climb for Hope, not only as a way to fund research and as a means to raise awareness, but because our expeditions are healing, empowering, and transformative.
2018 photo gallery
2019 photo gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel day. Arrive in Seattle, WA in the afternoon. Rare Earth Adventures will pick us up at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and Climb For Hope will pay for the hotel. Group dinner with introductions.
Day 2 - Early rise. Breakfast at the hotel, followed by gear check and packing our backpacks. If you need to rent gear, or get supplies, we can stop by a mountaineering rental facility or grocery store. Drive to North Cascades (2.5 hours). Stop at the ranger station for a permit. Camp overnight at a campground near the trailhead.
Day 3 - Climb to low camp on top of Eldorado Ridge. The earlier we arrive, the better camping spot we'll get. In the evening, we will have mountaineering training, safety briefing, and skills practice.
Day 4 - Early rise for summit day. It will take approximately 4 hours to get to the summit and another 4 to return to camp. We will camp at the same same location.
Day 5 - Early rise, break camp, then descend back to the trailhead. It will still take at least 6 hours because most of the route is boulder-hopping or very steep trails. Late in the day, drive back to Seattle, have a team dinner, and stay in a hotel. Some may chose to fly home on the red-eye Saturday night.
Day 6 - Travel day. Return home.
Ready to start ? Contact us with any questions.