Mountaineering

What is Mountaineering?

Mountaineering in the PNW is where hiking meets climbing, and where adventure meets just enough challenge to make that summit feel extra satisfying. Whether you're dreaming of standing on a glaciated peak or tackling rugged alpine ridges, mountaineering is all about building skills, pushing limits, and earning those epic, high in the apline. With Gearhouse, you’ll connect with fellow mountain lovers, and take your adventures to the next level—one kick-step at a time.

How to Get Started With Gearhouse

Discouver Scrambling & Mountaineering

Ice Axe &
Snow Travel Clinic

Snoqualmie Mountain
Scramble

Packing List

Alright! You've secured your gear, what else is there?

Ice axe, crampons, helmet, & trekking poles
Glacier climbing rope
Basic glacier climbing hardware: 3 x locking carabiners, 2 x non-lockers, corelette, 2x prusik cords, 2-3x single/double runner.
Optional: pulley, micro traction
50+ liter pack
Layered clothing appropriate to the weather.
2x gloves. 1 light, 1 warm
Mountaineer boot compatible with crampons.
Sleep system: 4-season tent, sleeping bag, pad (foam & air)
Snow/Rain pants
Food & snacks
1-2L water
Day pack with 10 essentials: food, water, sun protection, clothing, navigation, headlamp, fire starter, repair kit, first aid, emergancy blanket.

What you'll need

What's in the Gear Library

4 Person Tents

Hyperlite Mountain Gear comes in 2 person and 4 person sizes

Backpacks

Ultralight packs for all your backpacking

needs

Crampons

For traction and safety when summiting

those peaks

Skill Check

Hiking legs & uphill stamina – Mountains don’t have escalators, so strong legs (and a love for Type-2 fun) are key.
Scrambling confidence – Many routes require using your hands, balancing on rocks, and making smart moves.
Comfort on snow & ice – Crampons, ice axes, and snow travel skills will keep you upright (instead of sliding into next week).
Route-finding & navigation – Trails disappear, ridges look suspiciously similar, and knowing where you’re going matters.
Basic rope skills (eventually) – If you're aiming for glaciated peaks, learning to rope up and self-arrest is a must.
The ability to suffer just a little – Because 3 AM alpine starts and carrying heavy packs are part of the deal.

How To Prepare

Hike steep trails with a weighted pack – Mount Si and Mailbox Peak are perfect training grounds.
Build leg & core strength – Squats, lunges, and step-ups will make long climbs feel slightly easier.
Practice scrambling – Get comfortable with rock moves and balance before tackling bigger peaks.
Cardio endurance – Running, biking, or stair climbing will help you power through long summit pushes.

Where to go

Snoqualmie Mountain – A steep climb with epic views, plus a little bit of rock-hopping at the top.
Guye Peak – A short but spicy scramble with solid exposure—perfect for testing your alpine nerves.
Eldorado Peak (Glacier Intro) – A mix of steep hiking, scrambling, and glacier travel to a knife-edge summit.