IAC 2025 Team Lupkin: Alpine Experience Course Extension

Activity Notes

Note: The Alpine Experience Field Session is a separate course, though inherently linked to the Introduction to Alpine Climbing (IAC) course. To apply for this course extension, you must be an applying or accepted student of the IAC course.

For more information about the full Introduction to Alpine Climbing course, visit: Mazamas IAC Course Page.

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Alpine Experience Field Session (2 days): Description

This optional two-day course extension, exclusively available to IAC students, offers an overnight alpine snow camping experience in realistic snow climbing terrain. Participants will learn and practice essential alpine skills, including:

• Packing an alpine backpack
• Planning nutrition for extended climbs
• Preparing for high-elevation climbing
• Layering effectively for variable conditions
• Navigating early or nighttime starts and hiking in the dark

This session simulates the physical and logistical challenges of an alpine climb. As an added goal, the course may include a summit attempt (e.g., Mt. Adams), conditions permitting.

The course extension operates as a separate activity with its own prerequisites, primarily focused on physical fitness. Students interested in participating must complete a parallel application alongside their IAC course application. Tuition for this course extension is $80 for IAC students.

Alpine Experience Field Session: Physical Fitness Prerequisite

The Alpine Experience Field Session simulates the physical and logistical challenges of a true alpine climb. Participants will carry heavy backpacks, ascend steep terrain, and experience high altitudes—all while navigating realistic alpine conditions. To ensure personal and team safety, all participants must meet the physical fitness requirements before joining.

Why Fitness Matters

Alpine climbing demands strength, endurance, and self-awareness. Many climbs involve carrying a 35–50 lb. backpack over steep terrain for hours or days in unpredictable weather. Climbing teams often aim for an ascent pace of 1,000 vertical feet per hour to safely reach the summit within daylight hours.

Above 8,000 feet, altitude challenges—including reduced oxygen levels and increased fatigue—make maintaining this pace even harder. Preparing for these conditions requires intentional physical training to build strength and stamina.

This prerequisite isn’t about gatekeeping—it’s about setting you up for success. Training for these challenges will help you get the most out of the experience while minimizing risks to yourself and the team.

Fitness Requirements

To participate, you must complete and document a hike that meets the following standards:

• Pack Weight: Minimum 30 lbs or 25% of your body weight (whichever is greater), up to 45 lbs max.
• Distance: At least 3.0 miles (one-way).
• Elevation Gain: At least 2,800 feet of gain (one-way).
• Time: Completed within 3 hours (one-way).

Additional Considerations

• Footwear Matters: This is an opportunity to test your mountaineering boots or similarly stiff-soled footwear. Hiking in improper footwear can lead to discomfort or injury during the alpine experience. Hiking in trail runners or similar footwear won’t give you a realistic experience of what you can expect during the Alpine Climbing Experience. Proper footwear helps simulate the challenges of steep, uneven terrain and heavy pack loads.
• Pack Weight Strategy: Using water bottles as weight allows you to reduce strain on your knees by emptying them on the descent.

When to Complete the Hike

Your qualifying hike must be completed within four months of the Alpine Experience Field Session and no later than one week before the start date.

Trail Examples

The following trails meet the fitness prerequisite based on distance and elevation gain. Note that for Nesmith Point and Mount Defiance, only the first section of the trail (one-way) meets the requirement—you do not need to hike to the summit.

Dog Mountain Trail (#147) (Skamania County)

• Distance: 3.0 miles one-way (to the summit)
• Elevation Gain: 2,800 ft
• Trail Information

Nesmith Point Trail (#428) (Multnomah County)

• Distance: 3.0 miles one-way (first section of the trail)
• Elevation Gain: 2,950 ft (of 3,770 ft total)
• Trail Information

Mount Defiance Trail (#413) (Hood River County)

• Distance: 3.5 miles one-way (first section of the trail)
• Elevation Gain: 2,900 ft (of 4,820 ft total)
• Trail Information

You may choose a different trail that meets the distance, elevation gain, and time requirements. If unsure, contact your Team Leader before completing it.

Documentation Submission

You’ll need to submit GPS-based evidence of your hike to your Team Leader, including:

• Distance covered
• Total elevation gain
• Time taken
• A photo of you with your backpack

Accepted Tracking Options:

• CalTopo – Free tool for mapping and recording GPX tracks.
• Strava – Screenshots of recorded hikes are acceptable.
• Gaia GPS – Can identify routes and record GPX tracks.
• SPOT Personal Locator Device – If available, can record route data.

Using CalTopo to Track Your Hike

We recommend CalTopo, though we are not affiliated with it. If you’re new to GPS tracking, CalTopo is free and user-friendly.

Free Version Features:

• Access to topographic maps (U.S. and parts of Canada).
• Add marker points and lines to files.
• Import/export GPX tracks for submission.
• Print custom maps for planning and navigation.

Visit CalTopo.com or download the CalTopo app (Android/iOS). (Offline use requires a paid subscription.) Use the tracking feature to record and export your hike for submission.

Final Thoughts

This challenge is designed to prepare you for the realities of alpine climbing—not just physically, but in mindset and preparation. Completing this hike will help assess your fitness, test your gear, and build confidence for the Alpine Experience Field Session.

We’re excited to have you on this journey—train hard, and see you in the mountains!