Team Asha: CLIMB – FAQ

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What is Asha for Education?

Asha for Education is a 100% volunteer-run, nonprofit organization focused on creating long-term social change through education for underprivileged children in India. It is annually reviewed as 4 on 4 star with a 100% rating by “Charity Navigator”, a third party agency. Asha is also rated with a Gold Transparency Rating by “Candid”, an independent assessor of nonprofits. Over 98% of funds raised go directly to educational projects.

What is the Climb with Asha program?

Climb with Asha is a fundraising-driven mountaineering program where participants train together and attempt to summit iconic Pacific Northwest peaks while raising funds for education. Asha has other fitness programs with fundraising commitments, read more on the “Team Asha” page.

Do I need prior climbing or mountaineering experience?

No. Many participants are first-time climbers. The program provides structured training, learning opportunities, mentorship, and guidance to help you prepare safely.

Who can / should join Team Asha ?

• Team Asha athletes are from all walks of life: professionals from the hi-tech industry, doctors, lawyers, students, stay-at-home moms, college students or accomplished athletes.
• One does not have to be an accomplished athlete, or at peak fitness level to join the team. In fact, majority of our athletes are new to any of of these endurance sports.
• Both men and women participate in our program and range from 18 to over 60 years of age.
• The only criteria is a commitment to the program and its expectations: training, fitness, classroom learnings, communication & fundraising.

What are the expectations from participants?

Participants are expected to:

• Commit to regular training hikes and preparation
• Commit to training more than just group hikes over the weekend
• Commit to attending the learning sessions
• Meet fundraising goals
• Follow safety guidance and group norms
• Communicate proactively with team leads
• Follow announcements and comply with deadlines
• Support fellow climbers and foster a positive team culture
• Understand that individual skills, strength, actions and abilities affect the team. We train to be able to complete our climbs solo, but understand the interdependence of the team.

How will communication happen?

• WhatsApp (Group discussions & Announcements)
• Email updates & Meetup (for info on specific Hikes / Climbs)
• Training sessions and info calls
• Shared documents and schedules

What are the important dates and deadlines?

Please see the Dates & Deadlines Section for the current year.
Click to see 2026 Dates and Deadlines

How do we get to the climb location?

Transportation logistics vary by location. Climbers may:

• Carpool (most popular option)
• Drive individually
• Use arranged transport (if applicable)
• Some climbers have arranged for Ubers to get to a common carpool point

Is carpooling available for training hikes?

Carpooling is encouraged for training hikes and typically coordinated informally between climbers via group chats a few days before the hike / climb. Please take into consideration climbing / hiking speed and the time that each person excepts to finish to manage expectations around post-hike waiting time. Asha volunteers may, but do not hold an obligation to help organize the carpool groups.

Do we share tents during the climb?

Yes, tent-sharing is common and encouraged to reduce weight and costs. Climbers are encouraged to arrange tent-mates in advance, taking into account each one’s preferences and comforts.

Tent-sharers are also expected to meet BEFORE the climb to discuss logistics, practice setting up their tent and deciding how to divide the weight on the climb-up versus down. Tent-sharers are also encouraged to align their transportation / carpool, climbing pace  and overall health and preparedness logistics, and to discuss contingency plans if something should change for one or more tent-sharers.

What about nature’s calls ?

The cadence typically involves a break every 10 minutes for 1 hour of climbing. Climbers will learn to refuel, rehydrate and relieve optimally within this short break. It is not possible nor even safe to seek privacy on several routes and there is a climber’s code for discretion that we build as a team. There will be a separate session for women as part of the training season.

“Leave no trace” principles tend to apply and climbers will learn typical outdoor rules like being 200 feet (~70 steps) away from any water body. Like many other aspects of training, the season will help you learn to manage hygiene and relief on the trail.

What level of fitness is required?

You do not need elite fitness, but you should be willing to train consistently, attend learning sessions and do more than the Sat group hikes. Training focuses on:

• Endurance
• Elevation gain
• Carrying weight
• Mental resilience

How much weight will I need to carry?

Training packs gradually increase. On summit days, packs typically range from 25–40 lbs, depending on gear and shared equipment. Every hike led by Asha has a recommended weight that slowly increases through the season.

Will we train on snow and ice?

Yes, depending on the peak. Snow travel, crampon use, and ice-axe basics are covered primarily in the Snow Skills class (mandatory for whose who have not taken a Snow Skills training in the past) and will also be reviewed during  training hikes.

What about weather and safety?

Hiking & Climbing are all weather sports with significant risk of weather exposure and remoteness. Asha encourages climbers to train in all weather conditions so that they are well prepared for any changes of weather during a major summit. No matter what the weather at the base of a mountain, beyond a certain altitude, it is always winter and weather can change as altitude and side of the mountain changes. Even with experienced people studying the weather and maps, weather is unpredictable. Safety shall be the top priority, and the hierarchy of judgement calls will be taken by Professional Guides of the Adventure companies when available and next the Asha leads based on their knowledge of the climbers confidence, capabilities and teamwork.

• Guides and leads make go/no-go decisions
• Climbs may be delayed or turned around
• Proper gear and pacing are emphasized
• Climbers are cautioned that their classroom learnings, attentiveness, skills, strength and judgement will affect all other climbers on their team in a group climb.

How about food / nutrition ?

Each climber is responsible to fuel, hydrate and nourish themselves before, during and after the hikes. A separate classroom session will be offered on nutrition. Carb and protein dense foods are preferred. Having extra food, water and fast-replenishing foods for every hike are part of Safety and the “10 Essentials“

Pre-hike and post-hike meals are often coordinated between climbers as part of carpool and travel and budgets have to be managed according the preference.

Do I need expensive gear?

Mountaineering gear needs to be technical to protect against the elements. So yes, but… you can manage costs by:

• Borrowing
• Renting
• Purchasing second-hand / looking for sales & deals

A detailed gear list is provided early so you can plan gradually.

What kind of gear do I need ?

Broadly, other than food, water and clothing, you need shelter, a good way to carry it all & snow / ice equipment. Gear can feel overwhelming for a new climber. Asha has resources both on gear as well as how to pack your bag and we will be discussing and learning together about all the gear over the season.

Note that camping or regular hiking gear may not be suitable: Mountain gear has to be carried on your back and is therefore weight sensitive. Typically the lighter / more technical the equipment gets, the more expensive it is.

• Hiking backpack of ~40-60lb capacity (fitted to your back length)
• Hiking Poles
• 3-4 season Hiking / Climbing Tent (Typical camping tent would be too heavy)
• 3-4 season Sleeping bag (temperature range specified, with optional pillow)
• Sleeping pad (with a minimum insulation value)
• Glacier Glasses (Thin mountain air, high UV index, ice and snow reflections test the limit of the visual capacity)
• First-aid and other items as part of “10 Essentials” like Compass, Head Lamp, Knife, Lighter
• Climbing harness, ropes or cords, and carabiners
• Climbing helmet (to protect objects falling from above), Ice axe
• Crampons & Microspikes
• Mountaineering Boots

What do I need to buy first ? Is there equipment that will be required early ?

• Hiking poles to help with training habits and a good hiking backpack is best bought early in the program because its fit and comfort are critical to training with the weight load as the program progresses. This may require several trials of different models since an empty backpack even with demo weight in the store or in your lender’s home feels very different than while hiking uphill. Learning where to keep snacks and essentials is also best learned through one’s own experience and developing preferences.
• By mid-season microspikes (with regular hiking boots / shoes) will become necessary for the snowy hikes. Soon thereafter it will time to train with Mountaineering boots to understand the weight and how to manage hotspots and issues.
• Climbing helmet, ice axe, harness, cords and crampons will all be required in advance of Snow Skills.
• Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pads are the last items needed. Tent decisions may take into account opinions of tent-mates. Sleeping bag and pad decisions may be informed by the expected weather for the big climb if you leave the decision until weather is predictable.

What kind of clothing is required?

Climbers must protect themselves from the elements and expect extended exposure. Managing apparel, body heat and packing some emergency extras is a critical Safety factor in the sport. Layering is key:

• Moisture-wicking base layers (upper & lower body, gloves and socks, sun hoodie optional)
• Insulating mid-layers (fleece jacket or thin puffer, mountaineering pants, beanie hat)
• Waterproof / Windproof outer layers (Weatherproof puffer, Rain pants, outer gloves, boots, waterproof hat / hood)

Cotton is discouraged (gets cold when wet and does not dry as easily with body heat as do tech fabrics like Smartwool)

Will there be gear checks?

Yes. Asha will provide a gear checklist early in the season to plan, shop and acquire. Some training hikes will offer random gear checks. A full gear check is offered in advance of the summit weekend to ensure safety and readiness. Guides can prevent you from going on the final climb if your gear is not in order on the morning of the climb.

What costs go to Asha?

Your fundraising commitment goes entirely to Asha for Education projects and is tax-deductible to those who donate it.

What other costs should I expect?

In addition to the cost of the program, please plan for:

• Climbing/Hiking apparel
• Climbing / Hiking gear  (purchase/rent)
• Preparation (be it time to hike, gym memberships, simple at-home-training equipment etc)
• Permits, Travel, Meals, or Lodging (Fuel, Carpool, Flights, Buses, Overnight stays)
• Tips/gratuities to Guides for Snow Skills & the final climbs/hikes.

How can I manage my budget?

• Rent / Borrow / Buy used gear
  • Biggest ticket items: Mountaineering boots, Tent, Backpack & Sleeping bag
  • Intermediate ticket items: Outer puffer shell & Waterpoof layers, other apparel based on comfort)
• Plan early (this may mean learning ahead of the offered learning sessions)
• Pay attention to learnings offered (to avoid costly mistakes)
• Carpool & share travel / lodging costs where applicable
• Share tents

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Some basic Fundraising FAQ’s (Where does the money go, Support for fundraising, How to fundraise, First-timer fear etc) are answered for all three Team Asha disciplines. See Facts & Fundraising details on the Team Asha page here. 

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