COVID-19 | June 3, 2020 Update

Dear Climbers:

Currently, we are working with Mt. Rainier National Park to determine opening dates for the 2020 season. We hope to have a commitment from the NPS this week or early next week, and we intend to start climbing from July 14, 2020 onward. This is not a firm date.

We may also operate some North Cascades programs prior to the opening of our Rainier trips. Climbers scheduled for July trips will receive individual emails once we know the status of your trip. Prior to the start of operations, new coronavirus mitigation protocols will be implemented and climbers will be sent information outlining these updated procedures.

For climbers registered for July 1 - 13, 2020 departures, we have sent you a direct email about your climb.
For climbers registered for July 14 - 31, 2020 departures, we will send you an email update on or around June 15, 2020.
For climbers registered for August and September departures, we will send an email by the first week of July, but likely will be able to confirm your departures on or around June 20, 2020.

Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to reach out with any questions. We look forward to getting back to the mountains as soon as possible.

Lastly, many may find training to be a challenge. We think of training as more of a lifestyle, with a ramp up for specific events. Some good at-home training info from the Uphill Athlete is linked below.

https://www.uphillathlete.com/at-home-strength-workouts/

Alpine Ascents International

May 4 Update

Dear Climbers,

The implications of COVID-19 continue to change daily. We hope you and your family are well. Please note that while our physical office is closed in line with government guidelines, we are available via phone and email.

Our decision-making regarding closures and trip postponement is based on our commitment to the safety and well-being of staff and climbers, while adhering to government regulations. Current Washington State Regulations require that our business remains closed until at least June 12, 2020. (Limited opening, may be possible May 22, 2020. These regulations subject to change).

Please be advised that all May and June departures are postponed to the 2021 season. This includes any trip or program departing through June 28, 2020. For July departures, we will provide an update around June 1, 2020, as these and future trips are currently active departures and we intend to run these departures should current regulations remain in place.

All climbers with departures scheduled for May and June have been emailed directly.

Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to getting back to the mountains as soon as possible.

Lastly many may find training to be a challenge. We think of it more a lifestyle with a ramp up for specific events. Some good in training at home info from the Uphill Athlete.

https://www.uphillathlete.com/at-home-strength-workouts/

Alpine Ascents International

Questions?
Email Gordon Janow, Director of Programs, or dial (206) 378-1927

April 2nd Update

Dear Climbers,

Our decision-making regarding closures and trip postponement is based on our commitment to the safety and well being of staff and climbers, while adhering to government regulations.

Please be advised that all May departures are postponed to the 2021 season. This includes any trip or program departing through May 31, 2020. For June departures, we will provide an update around May 1, 2020.

Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Alpine Ascents International

Questions?
Email Gordon Janow, Director of Programs, or dial (206) 378-1927.

March 16th Update

Dear Climbers,

While the implications of COVID-19 are changing daily, we want to provide information about how Alpine Ascents is handling the novel coronavirus. When reviewing health and safety guidelines, we always aim to exceed county and national requirements.

Upcoming Bookings
Following this morning’s conference with the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, we can report that parks plan to stay open and maintain operations. For trips departing in May, we look to provide an update on or about April 1 based on the most current information.

Any contingency plan, which may include postponing your booking until later in the year or to the following season, will be noted in the April 1 update. For June departures we will provide an update around May 1, for July we will provide an update around June 1, etc. Our offices remain open for phone or email contact, and we are happy to speak with you.

At Headquarters
While rental equipment care practices, expedition supply practices, and food preparation practices at our Seattle HQ continue to proceed with strict attention to health and safety, we are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of disease. A few of these measures include:

Daily cleaning of all office surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectant
Additional employee education concerning mitigating the spread of disease
Maximizing work-from-home options for office employees
Complete disinfection of each Alpine Ascents vehicle pre and post-trip

Alpine Ascents follows King County Public Health Guidelines at our Queen Anne headquarters. Residents of King County who suspect they are ill or have come into contact with the coronavirus are advised to use the county hotline: 206-477-3977.

In the Field
Operating on all seven continents Alpine Ascents is committed to health and safety in the field. Regardless of whether we are in high-altitude, technical terrain or lower-altitude trekking terrain, we undertake measures to combat illness and the transmission of illness on every trip. However, we are implementing additional measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. These measures include:

Additional training for guide staff regarding the coronavirus
Issuing additional cleaning products (such as Clorox wipes) with field kits
Group teaching practices designed around “minimum distance” guidelines
Evaluation and close monitoring of campsites
Planning for single-occupancy tents where requested

Final Notes
Alpine Ascents operates trips in small groups. A more intimate group size not only allows for excellent teaching and group dynamics, but also allows us to better prevent the spread of illness - be it the flu, the Khumbu Cough, or COVID-19. We remain committed to this ethos and its benefits throughout the impact of the novel coronavirus across the globe.

We remain optimistic that governmental organizations, in partnership with a vigorous commitment to excellent hand washing practices, will affect a positive global health outcome.

With thanks,

Alpine Ascents International

Questions?
Email Gordon Janow, Director of Programs, or dial (206) 378-1927.

We recommend seeking the most updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and/or your local governmental organizations or healthy advisory groups:

COVID-19 Summary - a starting point to understand the novel coronavirus.
Risk Assessment - regularly updated travel information organized by location
Traveler FAQ - answers to common questions regarding COVID-19 and travel