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Intro to Backpacking: Cutthroat Pass

$100.00

August 16th-18th
Come backpacking with us!

Have you always wanted to try backpacking, but don’t know where to start? We will teach you all you need to know to head into Washington’s backcountry.

Cutthroat Pass straddles the demarcation zone between the wet western and the dry eastern slopes of the Cascades. We will find ourselves on a scenic portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. We will meander through lush wildflowers, larches and stark, craggy, gold-hued mountains spiraling upward. We may also spot some wildlife too : ground squirrels, mountain goats, ravens, marmots, and nutcrackers. We’ll negotiate a series of switchbacks where we will find developed campsites amidst a larch forest and granites. Continue further and you can glimpse the beautiful Methow Valley.

Your guides will work with you a month prior to this trip to secure all necessary equipment - whether you decide to purchase or rent, we are here to help advise you. To begin our trip we will first meet up at a campground off the highway to have a welcome dinner, a mix and mingle by the fire, and a individual gear check. We will then wake up early in the morning to start the trail! Our guides are EMS certified with additional wilderness survival certification. We will be in good hands as we all meander through Washington’s beautiful back country for several hours until we settle into our camp for the evening. Our guides will assist in tent set up as well as managing the camp to ward off potential animal visitors. You will have a chef prepared dinner and the night is yours to exlore the lakes. We will then arise in the morning , prepare breakfast, and head back to the trail head. Perhaps then a post trail beer will be in order?

Join Windward Adventures and never feel intimidated by backpacking again!


$100 Non-Refundable Deposit per person

This item is either out of stock or not yet for sale on this website.
Pay Deposit Now

Intro to Backpacking: Cutthroat Pass

$100.00

August 16th-18th
Come backpacking with us!

Have you always wanted to try backpacking, but don’t know where to start? We will teach you all you need to know to head into Washington’s backcountry.

Cutthroat Pass straddles the demarcation zone between the wet western and the dry eastern slopes of the Cascades. We will find ourselves on a scenic portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. We will meander through lush wildflowers, larches and stark, craggy, gold-hued mountains spiraling upward. We may also spot some wildlife too : ground squirrels, mountain goats, ravens, marmots, and nutcrackers. We’ll negotiate a series of switchbacks where we will find developed campsites amidst a larch forest and granites. Continue further and you can glimpse the beautiful Methow Valley.

Your guides will work with you a month prior to this trip to secure all necessary equipment - whether you decide to purchase or rent, we are here to help advise you. To begin our trip we will first meet up at a campground off the highway to have a welcome dinner, a mix and mingle by the fire, and a individual gear check. We will then wake up early in the morning to start the trail! Our guides are EMS certified with additional wilderness survival certification. We will be in good hands as we all meander through Washington’s beautiful back country for several hours until we settle into our camp for the evening. Our guides will assist in tent set up as well as managing the camp to ward off potential animal visitors. You will have a chef prepared dinner and the night is yours to exlore the lakes. We will then arise in the morning , prepare breakfast, and head back to the trail head. Perhaps then a post trail beer will be in order?

Join Windward Adventures and never feel intimidated by backpacking again!


$100 Non-Refundable Deposit per person

This item is either out of stock or not yet for sale on this website.
Pay Deposit Now

  • Trip fee: $525 per person*
    $100 non-refundable deposit to secure spot.
    $425 invoiced separately through Square
    Minimum of 6 participants needed to run this trip.

  • We have secured camp sites for this event. Please BYOTent.

  • Meals:
    Friday’s welcome dinner at camp. On Saturday, a fast breakfast, a simple lunch bag for the trail, as well as a celebratory backcountry dinner.

    Activities:
    Friday night gear check with the guide. Full guided trek up to Rampart Ridge.

    Lodging:
    We will meet at a base campsite to go over all the details and share a meal as a group. Saturday, you will pack in and set up your own tent in the backcountry.

  • Travel to Newhalem Creek Campground (although we encourage and will help coordinate car pooling)

    Any of your gear for the trail. However, we will give you a comprehensive gear list and can help with rentals.

    Any beverages, including water. Please BYOB for this event.

    Any additional snacks outside of our planned meal time. Please bring any snacks you might require for the campsite and the trail. Please note that breakfast on Sunday morning will not be prepared. Please pack your own.

  • $100 Non-Refundable Deposit

    Remainder of the invoice must be paid in full 30 days prior to the event.

    Please click here to learn about our cancellation and refund polices.

2024 TRIP ITINERARY

Friday -
- Arrive at the group camp site any time after 3:30pm.
- Our Welcome Dinner will begin around 7:30pm. During the meal, you’ll also meet with your guides and backpacking team to discuss the trail, as well as a gear check.

Saturday -
- Awake for coffee and breakfast (or take it on the road). Leave the camp at 8:00am.
- Arrive to trailhead parking at 9am and start for the trail.
- Break for lunch at the guides discretion.
- Enjoy the trail, and arrive to set up camp by 4pm
- We’ll try to share a meal around 7:30pm
- Relax the rest of the evening. Play games. Star gaze. Tell stories.

Sunday -
- Enjoy a slow and easy morning. We can help advise your breakfast cookery if needed.
- Break camp and hit the trail by 10:30am