Climb With Asha | Train. Educate. Empower.
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The 2026 information session will be held on Thu, Jan 15th, 2026. Please Register for the session by filling in this interest form and we will send you the calendar invite and zoom link via email.
Asha for Education is a 100% volunteer, low-overhead charity group. Rather than cost-heavy marketing about our work, we engage people by helping them train for fitness and wellness goals, asking in return that they learn about Asha, spread the word and raise funds by letting their network know about their events and association with Asha.
The Team Asha Climbing program helps hikers and climbers summit local peaks, which include Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker & Mt. Adams. Other peaks may also be offered depending on the leads and the program for the year.
“Asha Leads” volunteer their time and energy to help each person understand what it takes to build the endurance, strength, gear and experience needed to climb mountains. Weekend training hikes are organized through the Spring and early Summer, with hands-on guidance and tips customized for each climber. Mid-week strength sessions and focused guidance may also be offered depending on the need. Education sessions on gear, nutrition, training and even fundraising are offered via convenient video conference sessions.
Every hiker / climber is set up with a fundraising page and has a minimum fundraising expectation based on their goals.
Cost, Commitment & Offerings vary by year
This page is intended to offer a broad understanding of possibilities.
Mountain climbing is neither a simple nor a solo sport. Appropriate gear is critical to protect life and limb during both training as well as the final climbs. Gear, judgement and experience protect both you and those who climb with you. Beyond a certain elevation, it is always “winter” and preparing for the elements is an integral part of the learning.
The program, costs & commitment varies by year. Not all peaks are offered and offerings are based on the volunteer leads and resources. Peaks offered will also vary by climber’s ability, ambition and schedule. Note that many Asha climbers find friends and Asha climbing alum through the program, who have both the training and experience to arrange trips outside of Asha.
Notes on cost:
- Costs listed cover ONLY the Guides from an Adventure Company partnering with Asha who will lead the group and obtain permits.
- Guides assume some responsibility for the group’s safety and preparation, although not liability.
- Costs are typically discounted for Asha and not the same rates advertised by the Adventure companies.
- Adventure companies typically do not offer training hikes or preparation support, which is what the Asha program offers
- Extensive training & thorough preparation is offered by Asha volunteers in exchange for the fundraising commitment, which ultimately helps educate kids in India.
- Snow skills are required for snow climbs. A single snow skill lesson with group is ~$125 and is separate from the typical costs shown above.
- Other costs to expect (not included above) are:
- Climbing/Hiking apparel
- Climbing / Hiking gear you’d need to acquire (purchase/rent)
- Preparation (be it time to hike, gym memberships, simple at-home-training equipment etc)
- Meals, Travel or Stay (Fuel, Carpool, Flights, Buses, Overnight stays)
- Tips/gratuities to Guides for Snow Skills & the final climbs/hikes.
Sign-Up, Payment and Registration:
Learn more at the info session held in January each year. Attend the info session by filling out the Interest form (2026 Interest form for session on Thu, 15th Jan). Even if you cannot attend on the specific date and time of the session, fill out the interest form and details will be emailed to you.
For anything NOT covered through the Interest Form OR the Info session, you can reach out to seattle.climbing@ashanet.org
It is not only the tallest mountain in the Washington state but also is the most glaciated mountain in the lower 48 states. It is also called as Tahoma or rather to say ‘mother of water’ in Salishan.
Elevation: 14,411 feet
Number of days on a trip: 3-4 days
Routes used: Disappointment Cleaver (DC) or Emmons-Winthrop are the basic routes typically used to reach the summit. DC route does provide a challenge with objective hazards with sea od climbers on the route while Emmons route is less prone to objective hazard but has route finding challenges. Overall, we choose the route based on the snow conditions and best information available to the rangers to help the chances for our climbers to succeed. It should be noted that although Emmons route might be safer at times, it is a bit longer and has more elevation gain to achieve on your feet as you start hiking from lower elevations at White River Campground and also camp at approximately 9,500 feet rather than at Camp Muir or Ingrahm Flats when on DC route.
Also known as Koma Kulshan is the second-most thermally active crater in the Cascade range after Mount Saint Helens.
Elevation: 10,781 feet
Number of days on a trip: 2-3 days
Routes used: Coleman Deming or Easton Glacier route based on the snow conditions of the mountain and the time of the year.
Mount Adams is the second tallest peak in WA state at 12, 276ft. The South Climb via Lunch Counter is a steep and rewarding ascent providing stunning views on a clear day, and an opportunity to glissade down Piker’s Peak.
Elevation: 10,541 feet
Number of days on a trip: 2 days
Glacier Peak or Dakubed is the most remote/isolated of the major 5 stratovolcanoes of the Cascades in the state of Washington. It is known to provide the climbers with pristine landscape and backpacking into mountaineering experience including a section of glacier travel on the summit day.
Elevation: 10,541 feet
Number of days on a trip: 4 days
It may be the ninth-highest in the Washington state but is a huge glaciated massif as the name suggests in Lummi. It is also the most photographed mountain the Cascades. Climbing it surrounds you with the hike through a pristine forest, a moderate glacier to exhilarating achievement for the one who stands on the summit ledge.
Elevation: 9,131 feet
Number of days on a trip: 2-3 days
Routes used: Sulphide Glacier. Climbers will need to have some experience with scrambles or willing to actively participate in ‘Intro to Rock’ provided by a number of climbing organizations and guiding companies in the area.
A long 17+ mile approach, a glacier with crevasses and bergschrunds, and a Class 4 rock climb with a Class 5 step on loose rocky ramps to the summit of its West Peak. Mount Olympus, in the center of Olympic National Park, is one of the “Five Majors” and a big accomplishment. The approach goes through a true old growth rain forest.
Elevation: 7980 feet
Number of days on a trip: 4 days
Mt. Rainier Typ. Details: (Includes 2 Day Mount Baker)
- 3-5 days typ. last weekend of June (includes 2 day Mount Baker climb in early June)
- Typ. Cost: $1650
- Fundraising Commitment: $2000
Mount Baker Typ. Details:
- 2-3 days typ. end June / early July
- Typ. Cost: $1000
- Fundraising Commitment: $1000
Mount Adams Typ. Details:
- 3 days typ. 1st weekend of July
- Typ. Cost: $325
- Fundraising Commitment: $800
Mt. Shasta is a beautiful volcano in the Cascade Range of northern California. It is the second highest peak in the Cascades, after Mount Rainier.
Elevation: 14,179 feet
Number of days on a trip: 2 days
Routes used: Alpine Style via Avalanche Gulch route which starts at Bunny Flat trail and then proceeds up the mountain to the Summit. This 2 days climb only includes a skills briefing during the climb.
Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and the world’s second most climbed mountain. It is a beautiful glaciated mountain, situated about 50 miles east-southeast of Portland. The mountain has many snow fields and glaciers at 7,000 ft and above and it is a winter wonderland up there year round.
Elevation: 11,249 feet
Number of days on a trip: 2 days
Routes used: South side approach. You will be taking the snowcat up to 8,000ft before going on foot for the summit push.
Mount Shasta Typ. Details:
- 3 days typ. mid May
- Typ. Cost: $1245
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
Mount Hood Typ. Details:
- 2-3 days typ. early June
- Typ. Cost: $1230
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
Mt St Helens Eruption, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Original public domain image from Flickr
The hike to the summit of Mt St Helens in the summer is strenuous, but requires no technical climbing skills when snow is not present. We start at the Climbers’ Bivouac trailhead, on the Ptarmigan Trail which passes through forest and open meadows to the Loowit trail. The trail then ascends to Monitor Ridge through boulder fields, and finally through ash and small rocks to the crater rim.
Elevation: 8, 365 ft
Number of days on a trip: 1 day
“There’s no question about it, the rim-to-rim hike in Grand Canyon National Park is a classic bucket list adventure. But it’s no stroll through the park, that’s for sure. Being unprepared can have catastrophic results. However, when you’ve trained properly, have the right gear and know what to expect, it can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.”
– National Park Foundation
Number of days on a trip: 3
Mt Whitney is the tallest mountain in California and the tallest peak in the Lower 48 States of the
United States.
Elevation: 14,505 feet
Number of days on a trip: 3-5 days
Summer Routes used: In the summer, the route is an out-and-back trail past rocky switchbacks, sheer cliffs, and flowing waterfalls to the summit of Mt. Whitney. The trail averages 550′ of elevation gain per mile and passes through Lone Pine Lake, Mirror Lake, and Consultation Lake, finally meeting an exposed, rocky field at the base of the infamous “99 switchbacks.” After this, it joins the John Muir Trail where you follow the ridgeline to the summit. A very early start is recommended and effects of high altitude can become intense.
Mount St. Helens Typ Details:
- Overnight + 1 day (3am start to 8pm) typ. end July
- Typ. Cost: $200
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
Grand Canyon Typ. Details:
- 3 days typ. mid September (not including travel time)
- Typ. Cost: $400
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
Mount Whitney Typ. Details:
- 1 day in mid August (not including travel time)
- Typ. Cost: $400
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
The classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous treks in South America, and for good reason. Mixing history, wildlife and spectacular scenery, this 9-day adventure covers sites that rank among the world’s most impressive archaeological sites and natural wonders.
Highlights:
- The 42 km (26 miles) long classic Inca Trail via a circular route through various Andean environments, including cloud forest and alpine tundra.
- Exploring Andean biodiversity including orchids, foxes, cocks-of-the-rock (Peru’s national bird), spectacled bears, deer, and many more species of flora and fauna.
- Impressive Inca ruins such as Wiñay Wayña and Phuyupatamarca.
- Mountaintop Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Rainbow Mountain hike that was discovered for tourism only about 6 years ago!
Due to the altitude of this trip, it is highly recommended that you spend at least 2 days acclimatizing at higher altitudes. As such we start this trip with a day in the city a day of the Sacred Valley tour that you will acclimatize on during the first two days of your trip before you start trekking at higher altitudes.
- Number of days on a trip: 9
Trekking through the Himalayas is a spiritual experience. To be spiritual is to adapt to the nature to unite yourself with it. This trek offers a wonderful combination of culture, nature and landscape into an experience of a lifetime. But the rewards of this trek must be earned as it climbs over 20,000 feet and loses over 7,000 feet of elevation over 75+ miles over the course of the trek, at high altitudes.
Trip highlights:
- Trekking to the base of the world’s tallest mountain.
- Taking in sweeping views some of world’s tallest peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori.
- Getting a close look at the Khumbu Glacier, world’s highest glacier.
- Opportunity to trek up to Kala-pathar, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the region with views of 8000 meter peaks like Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho-Oyu.
- A visit to one of the oldest and biggest Buddhist monasteries, Tengboche monastery.
- Spending a day at Namche Bazar, the Sherpa capital.
- Experiencing the local culture and cuisine at the tea houses along your trek.
- Coming close to local wildlife and domesticated animals like Yaks
- Exploring Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, which is a world heritage site.
Machu Pichu Typ. Details
- 8-10 days typ. mid August
- Typ. Cost: $1975
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
Everest Base Camp Typ Details:
- 8-14 days in mid Apr / late Oct (not including travel time)
- Typ. Cost: $1825
- Fundraising Commitment: $600
The “Train with Asha” program is for those who have signed up to climb one or more peaks with a separate adventure company, but want to join the Asha training hikes, mid week training or learning sessions and / or access the support of Asha leads / volunteers. The cost for this program covers expenses for insurance, group gear etc. This program is NOT intended for those who have not made or don’t plan to make a commitment to climb a peak in the same time-frame as the Asha climbers, nor for those looking for a non-goal based hiking group.
Typ. Cost: $250 ($400 with snow skills class)
Fundraising Commitment: $400
- Page building in Progress (Feel free to reach out if you would like to help. Lots of ways to give back to Asha Seattle!)
Climb for Asha started with a bunch of friends affiliated with Asha who also wanted to climb Mt. Rainier. In 2010, it was an informal climb supported by volunteers who in addition to being Asha affiliates had experience and knowledge of mountaineering supporting their friends, new to the mountains but all with the same objective of fundraising for Asha. The 2010 & 2011 climbs did not have a fundraising goal or a volunteer-led training component. In 2012, it became an official Asha fundraiser supported by volunteers to lead weekend training hikes & preparatory climbs. It was open to everyone with a commitment from each participant to raise at least a nominal amount of money for Asha projects. Every year, some of the climbers from previous year return to volunteer as leads for the climbing program. Just like Asha, this is a volunteer-led program. Since its inception, the program has grown, we’ve had a new set of dedicated volunteers carry it forward with fresh new ideas and contributions to improve the process. But our mandate has remained the same: to raise funds for Asha for Education. In addition to organizing training hikes every weekend, helping climbers with fundraising, organizing climbs to St. Helens & Mt. Adams, the leads conduct training hikes for volunteers to refresh our skills before the Asha season begins. Many of them are also involved with the Mountaineers club.