Why Cascade Mountain Adventures?

We are proud to be a woman-owned and operated outdoor company based in the Pacific Northwest specializing in outdoor activities and skills sessions for women, by women. Our mission is to empower, educate, and uplift the next generation of female/femme identified outdoor explorers. We strive to create compelling educational experiences in a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment. Our first priority is you.

The Cascade Mountain Adventures team has decades of experience hiking, backpacking, and exploring the great Pacific Northwest. Our team represents years of experience leading outdoor activities, speaking at educational events, and supporting beginners in outdoor environments. We are teachers, mentors, and outdoor experts. We welcome and encourage outdoor women of all ages both young and young at heart.

All of our trip leaders have a minimum of ten years of experience on the trail as well as Wilderness First Aid Certification and Certified Leave No Trace Trainer credentials. All winter trip leaders also have AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) Level 1 certification. We believe it is our responsibility to make every trip a successful, educational, and safe round trip.

What should I expect?

Please make sure to read the event description and itinerary for your selected adventure(s). We strive to include all vital information on our event page(s): including descriptions of the activity, objectives, itineraries, group sizes, and destinations.

Expect to meet your Cascade Mountain Adventures Leader at the date, time, and location noted on the event page(s). Your event Leader will strive to cover all information noted in the event description, provide an interactive experience, and answer any questions you might have. We are here for you! Our events always prioritize a safe, educational, and fun outdoor experiences. Don't be surprised if you arrive as strangers and leave with a new friend or three.

How much experience do I need?

No previous experiences is needed for our beginner trips. Everyone starts somewhere and we are thrilled to help you start your outdoor journey.

More advanced adventures, designed for participants with some outdoor experience, are noted as intermediate or advanced events. Confident beginners are always welcome though! Let us know if you have questions about a specific event.

What do you consider a 'Beginner' hike?

Our beginner trips are designed with the beginner hiker in mind and led at a slow recreational pace. These hikes are less than six miles round trip with less than 800 feet of elevation gain. You must be able to safely walk over variable terrain which may include stairs, rocks, tree roots, mud, bridges, and/or shallow stream crossings.

What gear does Cascade Mountain Adventures provide?

We are proud to provide tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and camp chairs as needed for participants in overnight adventures. Our Clients are encouraged to bring their own overnight gear if they already own it. We supply all group cooking gear and water filtration equipment, first aid supplies, safety gear, and emergency communications equipment. Our partners are outdoor companies that we rely on and trust in our own personal adventures. We are proud to partner with Big Agnes, MSR, and Outdoor Research to supply our adventures.

Participants in single-day adventures are required to bring all personal clothing and equipment. The Cascade Mountain Adventures guide will provide first aid supplies, safety gear, and emergency communications equipment. We’ve got your back.

What about bad weather?

We adventure rain or shine. It is the Pacific Northwest after all.

The Cascades Mountain Adventures team evaluates the expected conditions of each and every trip and may make weather-based route and destination adjustments as needed. A full cash refund will be issued to event participants in the event of full event cancellations.

What adjustments are you making for COVID-19?

Great question! We’re so glad you asked. Our first priority is, remains, and always will be the safety of our Clients and Group Leaders.

We are making the following changes for the foreseeable future:

Shared Tents with Household Members Only - Individuals in Single Tents
No Shared Gear - Participants Required to Bring and/or Assigned All Personal Items
Overnight Events Spaced At Least Two Weeks Apart

We will also require confirmation that you do not currently have, been recently diagnosed with, or have been in close proximity with those diagnosed with COVID-19. This form will be shared with you at sign-up and required prior to event participation.

We are also strongly encouraging clients to consider the purchase of travel insurance for all Cascade Mountain Adventures programs. Our Cancellation Policy remains unchanged. Travel insurance will reimburse eligible program fees in the event of a health-based cancellation. We recommend Trip Assure with the inclusion of ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ coverage.

How do I sign-up?

Please use the 'Register' button on our event page(s) and Upcoming Events listings. We are excited to see you!

What do you need at sign-up?

We will ask for personal contact information, email address, phone number, and emergency contact(s). We will also request information on any previous outdoor experience, medical issues, and any concerns you might have. Please be honest - this is for your safety and that of your group. You will also be required to sign an event-based waiver for event participation.

Should I tip?

You’re welcome to tip if you feel that your guide went above and beyond or if you just generally had a great time! A good baseline is 10% of your guided experience cost.

Is there a minimum age? What about a maximum age?

We welcome all women 18 years of age or older. We do not lead trips for minors at this time.

There is no maximum age! We welcome all women who are confidently able to participate in our events.

Is it weird to sign-up by myself?

Not at all! We think solo adventurers are awesome! Our events provide a supportive environment to make new friends and get outdoors.

Do you offer Gift Cards? I'd like to purchase one as a gift.

Yes! You can purchase a Gift Card here.

Are you LBGTQA Friendly?

Yes! Absolutely yes! Anyone and everyone female / femme identified is welcome and supported!

Can I bring my dog?

No - sorry! We love dogs, but not everyone feels the same. Please leave your furry friend at home to ensure a welcoming environment for all.

I'm a dude. Can I join? Or can I bring my dude?

Sorry, no for publicly offered Cascade Mountain Adventures events. We are sure that you are amazing and wonderful but all public Cascade Mountain Adventures events are for women, by women.

You are welcome to inquire about a custom co-ed private trip. Please see our Custom Pricing page to get started.

What about emergencies?

We've got you! All of our trip leaders have a minimum of ten years experience on the trail, a minimum of Wilderness First Aid Certification, and a wealth of outdoor expertise. In addition, our event leaders carry Garmin InReach devices, capable of sending text messages via satellite and communicating with search and rescue personnel, to contact assistance if needed.

What is your cancellation policy?

We are excited to see you but understand that plans change. Our cancellation policy is as follows.

Participant Cancellation

Cascade Mountain Adventures cannot issue cash refunds. In the event of participant cancellation vouchers will be issued for future events at the following rates:

21+ days prior to event date - 50% of event payment
14 - 20 days prior to event date - 25% of event payment
0 - 13 days prior to event date - No vouchers offered

We also strongly encourage clients to consider the purchase of travel insurance for all Cascade Mountain Adventures programs. Travel insurance will reimburse eligible program fees in the event of a health-based cancellation. We recommend Trip Assure with the inclusion of ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ coverage.

No Shows / After Trip

Cascade Mountain Adventures will not issue refunds or vouchers in the event of no-shows or after an event has already been completed.

Cascade Mountain Adventure Cancellation

Cascade Mountain Adventures reserves the right to cancel events due to insufficient registration or unforeseen circumstances. (Ex. Safety concerns, leader availability, etc.)

Participants will receive a refund in the amount of the event registration fee in the event of Cascade Mountain Adventures cancelled events. We are not responsible for any other expenses incurred by event participants to attend this event. We reserve the right to cancel an event up to 3 days prior to the event date.

Custom Adventures

Are you looking for an outdoor skills session that isn’t on the public calendar? Let’s talk! Please see our Custom Pricing page to get started.

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