Physically Distant Mountaineering and Trekking

Check it out! Guided mountaineering, traversing, and peak bagging doesn’t need to include getting up close and cozy with one another. Technical, steep, “multi-pitch” mountain travel often requires physical closeness and definitely requires regular exchange of hardware and other gear. Many other sorts of engaging and thrilling mountain travel do not require the physical intimacy that steep rock and mixed terrain requires. For certain climbers I am happy to discuss and engage with the COVID risks associated with steep, technical terrain (essentially, getting up close and personal at each belay changeover). However, I know that there will be a cohort of you that does not want to take that risk but still wants to get out on a guided trip this summer. If that describes you, let this be a starting point for our discussions.

La Sal Traverse, Utah. October 2015

I conduct every trip to the mountains, no matter whether it is guided or not, technical or not, near or far, now or “BC” (before-Covid), with respect to the needs of business partners, local rules and guidelines, and general societal tone. COVID19 adds a new layer to that equation. Each trip below will need to check all these same boxes, doing so through potentially tighter logistical limitations. That being said, I can envision a world in which any or all of these trips are possible before the snows of autumn 2020 shut ‘em down.

Gear needs and selection will reflect, to at least some degree, coronavirus transmission concerns. On day trips, little to no extra gear should be required. For overnight trips I have given this a great deal of thought. Traditionally, to save weight, I have encouraged sharing of shelter, food, and cookware. A two person team sharing these things can save at least a couple pounds. However, we don’t have to share those things at all. I am equipped with (or working to finalize sourcing of), alpine climbing and trekking shelter and cookware sets that will allow me to work with one or two guests and have no sharing or cross-contamination through these things. Depending on weather, bugs, and access to water along the route, I can loan you a clean cooking and shelter set up that weighs between 1 and 5 pounds. Careful selection -a selection process I am happy to consult heavily on- of your own sleeping, climbing, and clothing gear systems should keep your non-consumable pack weight well below 15 pounds total, even with no shared cooking gear or shelter.

Bugaboo Glacier Circuit, British Columbia. September 2016

Without further ado, let’s get some ideas on the table. Each of these peaks or routes is at least semi-technical in nature and each can be done, barring abnormal conditions or footing, while maintaining 6 foot physical distancing:

• Day Trips:

  • Borah Peak, ID

  • Middle Teton, WY

  • Buck Mountain, WY

  • Countless options in the High Sierra.

  • Mount Baker, WA

  • Lone Peak, UT

• Multi-day trips:

  • Wind River Range Peakbagging. Gannett, Fremont, and other Titcomb Basin area peaks. Further south, Wind River Peak and Mount Temple come to mind.

  • Teton Wilderness Peakbagging. Fortress, Battlement, Overlook, Ishawooa, 12165 circuit.

  • Skillet Glacier, Mount Moran, Tetons

  • Wapta Traverse, Alberta/BC. (no huts)

  • Youngs Peak, British Columbia

  • Bugaboos Glacier circuit, BC

  • Spearhead Traverse, BC

  • WURL, Utah.

  • Mount Sill, CA

  • La Sal Traverse, UT