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Trip

Chair Peak Climb

Overview

Chair Peak in the Alpental Valley near Snoqualmie Pass offers several routes of varying difficulty in an alpine setting barely one hour from Seattle. Chair Peak is a great day trip for anyone looking for a quick alpine outing or a solid training peak for bigger objectives.

$350 Per Person
1 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
2:1

Trip Information

$350
Price based on 2 climbers per guide. One climber per guide based on our private 1:1 rate. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Important booking information: Please click the "Book Now" button above to book any date.  However, booking through our website does not guarantee that a guide will be available on the date you choose.  If we do not have a guide available on the date you choose, we will contact you to arrange a different date.  If you book at least 2 weeks out it is more likely that we will have a guide available.  If you would like to ensure the date is available prior to booking, please call us at 425-888-6397 x2. Price is based on 2 climbers per guide.

 

Duration: 1
Ratio: 2:1
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Rock Climbing Skills: Moderate to Difficult (route dependent)

Fitness Level: Moderately Strenuous

Technical Skills Required: Moderate to High (route dependent)


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
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Itinerary

Chair Peak NE Buttress (Alpine Grade 2; 5.6): This has been a favorite with our guests for several years. The approach up the Snow Lake trail and into the Chair Peak Basin is pleasant and takes about 2 hours. From the Chair Peak basin you gain the base of the NE buttress via a nice climbers trail. The actual climb starts with a low 5th class gully, followed by a section of scenic 3rd and 4th class scrambling to the actual "crux" of the route where the buttress steepens. This steep section we can climb head on with a few fifth class moves or we can traverse out onto the actual east face. Either way, it feels lofty and spectacular. Above this section we follow easy 4th class scrambling to the top. The descent involves more 3rd and 4th class down climbing down the south face couloir, followed by several rappels through the narrow and east facing chock stone couloir, back into the Chair Peak basin. It truly is a very entertaining route in its own right, but also gets used as a training route and "check off" route for larger alpine objectives like Forbidden Peak or even the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Chair Peak West Ridge (Alpine Grade 2+, 5.7): Pioneered by Pro Guiding Service owner Martin Volken, this route provides a great test piece for much more remote and classic mountains, but in a more technical, exposed and adventurous character than the NE Buttress. The approach to the route is the same as for the NE Buttress until you get to the base of the NE Buttress. We then traverse across the slabby rocks under the North Face to the obvious gully at the western edge of the North Face. This is where the route starts in earnest with 2 pitches of 5.7 to the top of the gully. From here we more or less follow the West Ridge to the summit in varying degrees of exposure, climbing difficulty and rock quality. All in all a great adventure that should test your overall alpine movement skills.

Chair Peak North Face direct (Alpine Grade 2+, 5.9): This route was also pioneered by Martin Volken and offers steep climbing up surprisingly good rock through the center of Chair Peak's North Face. Prior Alpine climbing and rock climbing experience are a must for this route.

Chair Peak East Face direct (Alpine Grade 2, 5.6):  The East Face of Chair Peak is actually the most visible face from the Alpental Parking Lot. The route cruises via steep and slabby rock directly to the false summit. 

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$350
per person
Price based on 2 climbers per guide. One climber per guide based on our private 1:1 rate. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • 1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
  • 1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
  • Socks - 2 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  • Synthetic climbing or hiking pants
  • Shorts ok if forecast is good
Outerwear
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants--may be substituted with softshell pants if forecast is good
  • Warm Hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun Hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight gloves--wind block or fleece/wool
  • Warm gloves
  • Down or Synthetic Puffy-type Jacket
  • Gaiters--low top or full size (may not need in late season)
Personal Gear
  • Backpack - 30 Liter/1800 cu.in. minimum
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • 1-2 Water Bottles - liter bottles, wide mouth recommended
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guides will have a substantial group first aid kit
Technical Gear
  • Ice Axe - lightweight aluminum, 55-70cm (may not be necessary in late season)
  • Light Mountaineering/Hiking Boots - crampon compatible
  • Rock climbing shoes (depending on objective)
  • Boot Crampons - 10-12 point aluminum (may not be necessary in late season)
  • Climbing Harness - mountaineering style preferred (no padding; ex: Petzl Altitude, Black Diamond Couloir)
  • Helmet - climbing helmet UIAA approved
  • Climbing Equipment:
    • 3 Locking Carabiners - 2 regular lockers and at least 1 large HMS style
    • Belay Device
    • Person Anchor System
Optional Items
  • Thermos - vacuum type
  • Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
  • Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
  • Compass - adjustable declination required
  • Altimeter
  • Map Case - large Ziploc bag works well
  • Maps - download appropriate or paper copies
  • Adjustable Trekking Pole(s) - nice to have for approach/crevasse navigation
  • small knife
  • Liner socks - if blister-prone
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold

PGS Supplied

  • Elaborate Group First Aid Kit
  • Ropes
  • Emergency communication devices
Equipment Sales & Rental

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FAQs

Should I tip my guide?

Although tipping is not a requirement it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
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