Description
The Glacier Peak Fastpack, is an Aspire skills course covering fastpacking, navigation, and glacier travel. Participants will receive instruction on what to pack for an overnight backcountry running adventure, how to manage risk for ultra-light alpine travel, and the fundamentals of glacier travel skills all wrapped up in a 2 day summit climb of Glacier Peak.
Full trip details are available in the course packet. Follow this link to drop us your email and we'll send it to you: https://aspireadventurerunning.activehosted.com/f/104
Application Process
Glacier Peak is a challenging alpine running/skills course. While Aspire will provide expert guidance and instruction, this route requires a strong endurance foundation and prior experience in mountain/alpine terrain.
We use an application process to ensure that we match runners' experience and skills to the challenges we anticipate with this trip.
To apply, complete the "Application" registration. Once you've completed the application registration, you'll receive a confirmation email from Ultrasignup that will include the link to the application form. Applications will be reviewed monthly until we have filled the course, and invitations will be sent to approved applicants.
Course Overview
Thursday, Day 0
Meet at Bedal Campround, Darrington WA
We’ll meet runners Friday evening for a dinner and orientation. While runners will have have received plenty of pre trip-planning info, we’ll review the route, conditions, and make final equipment decisions based on the most current conditions.
Friday, Day 1
Run Pilot Ridge to High Camp: 23 miles, Elevation Gain +10,379
Runners will have the ability to travel at different paces along the trail sections of this run. However given the skills and remote nature of this entire course, the Aspire guides will communicate specific locations along the route to re-group. All runners will travel toether during “off trail” travel sections of this route. Runners generally complete this day in 8-11 hours.
Saturday, Day 2
Summit Climb and Run Out: 21 Miles, Elevation Gain +9,490
We’ll wake early for sunrise conditions and an early summit bid. Runners will apply their glacier travel skills on the climb and descent. Once we’re off the mountain and back on the trail we’ll finish out the trip via a ridge run to a celebratory finish. Often this is a long day with a late return to camp.
Sunday,
Breakfast and Debrief
Glacier Peak is not to be underestimated. Having a place to land after big effort to sleep and recover before driving is essential. We’ll sleep in, share breakfast, and de-brief the learning and experience before wrapping this trip.
Accommodations
Our first night will be staged out of the Bedal Campround Campground. Aspire will provide a group shelter, heaters, a phone/watch/camera charging station, a portable hot shower, and lively camp amenities for a remote but comfortable “glamp” style experience.
Our backcountry camp will be a minimalst affair. Perched high on Glacier Peak, we’ll be hanging out in bivy sacs or in ultralight shelters with just the essential overnight gear.
Capacity
This is a wilderness based course. Registration will be limited to 5 runners. The total group size, with 2 Aspire guides will not exceed 5 runners.
Cost
Early Bird Registration: $700. Ends Jan 16th
Regular Registration: $800. Ends April 3rd
Late Registration: $900. Closes September 25th
About Aspire
Aspire organizes single and multi-day running adventures in backcountry and wilderness terrain. We pair logistical and emergency support with delicious meals for a unique and memorable running experience. More info about our project is available at: www.AspireAdventureRunning.com
Event's current local time: 9:35 PM PT
