FAQs – climbs & Hikes
GENERAL QUESTIONS
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What experience level do I need?
We guide both driven beginners and experienced mountain athletes.
You do not need decades of experience — but you do need humility, coachability, and a willingness to prepare.
If you’re unsure where you fall, schedule a call and we’ll assess your readiness.
How fit do I need to be?
You should arrive prepared — not hoping the trip will get you in shape.
As a general benchmark:
- Hike 5–10 miles comfortably
- Carry a 35–50 lb pack uphill
- Sustain effort for multiple consecutive days
Fitness is the greatest predictor of success and enjoyment.
What are your guide-to-client ratios?
We keep ratios conservative to prioritize safety and quality instruction.
- Mountaineering courses: typically 2:1 or 3:1
Small teams move better, communicate better, and guides can provide more focused attention.
What about weather and changing conditions?
Mountains are dynamic environments.
We may:
- Adjust routes
- Change summit objectives
- Delay movement
- Turn around short of a summit
Flexibility and humility are part of mountain travel.
Is mountaineering safe?
Mountaineering carries inherent risk: terrain, altitude, weather, and objective hazards.
What we control:
- Conservative decision-making
- Steady pacing that matches time plans
- Technical systems
- Proper guide ratios
No summit is worth reckless decision-making. Our priority is that you safety with good form.
Do I need to own all required climbing gear?
No.
We provide group technical gear such as ropes, protection, and anchors.
You are responsible for personal equipment including:
- Boots
- Layers
- Packs
Rental options are available for many items.
How heavy are climbing packs?
Depending on the objective:
- 35–55 lbs for most climbs
- 60+ lbs for expedition-style objectives
How many miles do we cover on a climb?
Most summit days involve:
- 3–8 miles of travel
- Significant vertical gain
- Mixed terrain (snow, glacier, rock)
Vertical gain often matters more than mileage.
What is your acclimatization strategy?
For high-altitude objectives we follow a structured approach:
- Gradual elevation gain
- “Climb high, sleep low” with most movements
- Conservative pacing, somewhere between 750ft per hour to 1200ft per hour depending on conditions.
- Enforcing self care through layers, hydration, nutrition.
TRIP PREPARATION
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How early should I begin training?
Ideally:
3–6 months for major climbs
Do you sell training plans?
No. We refer out to several mountain experienced training companies :
- Please inquire once you register.
Can I speak with someone before booking?
Absolutely.
We encourage a 15–30 minute call before committing. It helps align expectations and determine if a trip is the right fit.
Are tips expected?
Gratuities are customary but never mandatory.
Typical industry standards:
- 10–20% of trip cost, split among guides
Tips reflect service quality and effort.
Discounts
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Do you offer group discounts?
Yes — for private group bookings.
Frequent participant discount?
Returning clients receive priority booking and occasional loyalty pricing. Inquire by email.
CONNECT
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Are you hiring guides?
Occasionally.
We look for:
- Certified professionals with AMGA, NOLS, and Outward Bound experience.
- Demonstrated field competence in similar fields like SAR, ski patrol, ski instruction, fire fighting, and wilderness or combat medicine
- Wilderness First Responder or higher medical training for mountain guiding, Wilderness First Aid at a minimum for rock crag guiding
- Avalanche Safety certs for mountain guiding
- Teaching ability is very important
- Calm decision-making under pressure
Submit a professional resume and certifications for consideration.
Can I request a specific guide?
If scheduling allows, yes.
All Climb Hunt Hike guides operate under the same standards and systems.
