Backpacking Conditioner - Mount Si Main Trail

We will meet at the Mt. Si trailhead at 8:00AM with the goal of being on trail by 8:15AM. A Discover Pass is required. Optional carpooling arrangements will be coordinated as we approach the trip date.

This is a social hike in addition to being a conditioning hike, so we will stick together as a group as much as possible. As the new mom of a future Mountaineer/backpacker, we will be taking a 20-30min break at least every 2-3 hours for pumping and snacks regardless of weather. Please be sure to pack layers/rain gear for wet and cold conditions, as these breaks are physiologically necessary. 

We will not attempt to climb the Haystacks and will stop at the main overlook near the top (47.50488, -121.73941). Feel free to bring a sack lunch or snack to enjoy (hopefully with a view) near the summit. It may be particularly windy/cold, so be sure to pack enough layers to spend ~20min here.

This hike is part of an inaugural series of pre-season Backpacking Conditioners.  

These events are intended to help current backpacking course students as well as course graduates build their fitness and endurance through the winter and spring months to tackle their summer objectives, as well as build community within the Mountaineers backpacking community.

Each of these hikes are tailored to meet specific pack weight, distance, and elevation goals which will steadily increase as the clinics move through the spring months. While it is encouraged to slowly increase these factors over time, feel free to join if you judge yourself as being capable of meeting these targets.

While these conditioning hikes are carefully planned, they are intended to support and develop the backpacking community within this organization. With this goal in mind, the pace will be slow to encourage conversation and bonding time, as well as develop aerobic fitness. If you are uncomfortable with an after-work hike in the dark, please be on the lookout for weekend hikes that are intended to occur in daylight hours.