Team Asha: CLIMB – FAQ

G1. 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.

G2. 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.

G3. No. Many participants are first-time climbers. The program provides structured training, learning opportunities, mentorship, and guidance to help you prepare safely.

G4.

• 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 climbing goal, commitment to the program and its expectations: training, fitness, classroom learnings, communication & fundraising.

G5. The Asha program is for adults aged 18 and over. There are various reasons for this

• Insurance & Liabilities
• Judgements and maturity for the protection and self and others especially under fatigue conditions
• Program training is to carry a load of 35 to 45lbs (minimums for overnights on snowy mountains)
• Carried load should be no more than 20% – 25% of body weight
• Mountain climbing is a strenuous sport with serious consequences for mind and body

Team Asha volunteers can make considerations for experienced parents hikers with past Asha Climbing experience who want their children to benefit from the structure, discipline, learning and the training hikes, AND who are willing to take full responsibility and liability for their children. However, even in such cases only the adult will have the insurance and the ability to do the final climbs and summits.

G6. 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.

G7. No, the Train with Asha program is intended for climbers who have committed to a specific mountain summit or a climbing goal with a different adventure company rather than with Team Asha, but still want the structure of the Asha program for training and learning, and the camaraderie of the group for the training season. Expectations, attendance, training schedule, weight carried etc. will remain largely the same , except that Train with Asha participants will not climb the WA Cascade peaks with other Asha climbers on the program dates, but will climb their chosen summits on different days with a different group and guide.

G8.

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

G9. The Eval Hike establishes each climber’s baseline fitness. Asha Leads can tailor the training keeping everyone’s needs and current abilities in mind.

• If Applicants > Total Available spots (typically 30-50 Climbers accepted), Eval + Application helps in selection
• Capacity is based number of Asha Leads and Volunteers available

The Mount Rainier Climb is limited to 9 Climbers, and thus requires selection. As a sacred volcanic deity of the region, having to pass an evaluation may be a fitting rite of passage. Loosely, the hierarchy of decision making is:

1. Asha Leads review the applications to select 18 people for the Rainier eval group
2. The 18 selected applicants climb Mount Si (New Trail) on the Eval hike
   • With 25lbs of weight
   • Expected Ascent <2hrs 30mins
   • Expected Safe descent <2hrs
3. If there >9 who met the criteria, Leads decide based on experience and lottery as necessary

G10. Team Asha is powered by:

• Program Coordinator(s)
  • Organize the program, Leads and Volunteers
  • Interfaces with the Adventure company
  • Trains and supports the Leads
  • Oversees Safety, Training progress & Climber readiness
• SuperLeads / Advisors
  • Past Program Coordinators
  • Experienced with Mountaineering and Leading Asha
  • Offer oversight, and leadership insights and guidance
  • Current year Climbers may never meet them, but may hear Leads referencing them
• Team Asha Leads
  • Primary Leads plan and lead the hikes, committing to at least 4 hikes for the season
    • Assistant Leads will backup the Primary lead and climb with the group
      • Support Leads are previous program participants who can support new and current year Climbers
  • Leads help train, mentor and support you in the physical, technical and logistical aspects of your preparation
  • Answers questions on gear, apparel, training & shares their experience and strategies
  • Primary and Assistant Leads also have the same fundraising commitment if they sign up for summits
• Team Asha Volunteers
  • Coordinates communications, organizes learning sessions etc.
  • Supports Coordination, RSVPs, and social bonding
  • Reviews applications, Helps with Eval Hike selections
  • Organizes & documents volunteer hours
  • Supports fundraising tasks, Climber profile pages, racks donations and supports documentation
  • Maintains & update the current year website & FAQ Pages
  • Typically volunteers also have climbing experience and can help support, answer questions etc.
• See the Volunteer Team on the 2026 Climbing Program Page

G11. Anyone who has successfully completed a prior year Team Asha climbing program is ELIGIBLE to be a lead if:

• They attend classroom sessions for Leads
  • Sessions include: Medical & First-aid basics, Logistics, Weather, Navigation, Avalanche etc.
  • Training sessions happens in an intense period of 2-4hrs each day over 2-3 weeks in January
• AND they attend a Leads “Field Trip” / Leads Training Hike
  • Superleads / Advisors coordinate the Field Trip to ensure some exposure to various conditions when leading
  • Converges theoretical and in-field / on-site knowledge

 L1. Please see the Dates & Deadlines Section for the current year.
Click to see 2026 Dates and Deadlines

 L2. Transportation logistics vary by location. Climbers may:

• Carpool (most popular option)
• Drive individually
• Taxi / Uber / Lyft to the trailhead (pre-book for early morning slot)
• Some climbers have arranged for Ubers to get to a common carpool point

 L3. 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
• Discuss the time that each person expects to finish to manage post-hike waiting time
• Asha volunteers may, but do not hold an obligation to help organize carpool groups

 L4. Team Asha hikes on Saturdays in all weather conditions. A list of hiking locations and dates will be published.

• Plans may change based on weather and trail conditions
• Each Saturday’s hike time and location will be announced on the Whatsapp group
• A Meetup link will be shared, which requires a mandatory RSVP to ensure a traceable head-count for safety planning and management
• Most hiking locations will be from 30 to 60 minutes drive away from the city
• Typical start times will be noted as “Boots on the ground” between 6 and 7am at the Trail Head
• The expectation is that you start with enough time for carpool pickup (Add 5 mins per pickup + extra drive time if there is a detour)
• Arrive with enough time to park, take out and wear the hiking gear and take a restroom break before starting
• The expectation is that every hiker will prep their gear and apparel, plan their food, pack and weigh their bag on Friday night so as to not forget anything in the morning rush
  • Plan for 30-60 minutes every Friday evening

 L5. Season = late Feb to end-Jun / mid-Jul each year. The time commitment involves:

• Physical Training (weekend and mid-week)
• Physical recovery (sleep & nutrition)
• Planning, Prep and packing for each hike
• Learning, Assimilating, Trials & Error
• Gear shopping
• Communication and Coordination
• Fundraising

The Asha Climbing program is intense, but richly rewarding for the high-quality skills, sense of accomplishment, camaraderie, and the impact it makes on changing lives of entire communities in India. Climbers often create life-long friendships for the shared intensity of experience.

The already high caliber of those who commit to the program is further upgraded through the sustained effort of completing it. Team Asha Climbing alum carry a certain credibility that is apparent. Every “graduate” can be an Asha lead in following years.

• Every Saturday hikes
  • Hike lengths and difficulty will increase through this period
  • Early in the season, you will be back home by 10-11am or sooner
  • By mid-season you can expect to spend until 12-1pm
  • By late-season 3/4 of the Saturday should be reserved for the hike, returning between 2-3pm
  • For milestone practice trails like Camp Muir, an overnight + full weekend day is required
• 30-60mins every Friday night planning, packing & prep
  • Plan & pack food (some hikers reduced this time by requesting the help of their spouse)
  • Prep and lay out clothes (learning each week requires assimilation, trials and errors)
  • Pack and weigh gear in backpack (weight increases for each hike. Packing has to be learned)
• 3 to 4 hrs total Mid-week training
  • Some climbers choose a single mid-week climb (3.5 hrs min.) as the minimum to able to achieve each weekend climb
  • Most climbers spread the mid-week training across 2-4 days of cardio & strength training for 30m to 90m each session
  • Adequate sleep is a necessary component of training
• 1-3 hrs total classroom learning
  • Weekly classroom sessions (typically Tue or Wed) are offered for specific topics
  • Reading / YouTube / Discussion with others on your own
• Gear & Apparel
  • Understanding and shopping for gear & clothing requires time
  • You can minimize time by following others recommendations and learning while talking to others on Sat hikes
  • Optimize time with money: Spend more on lighter, high-tech equipment
  • Optimizing money by shopping second hand requires more time
• Fundraising
  • If you start mid-season, you can optimize at 10-15 mins / week and be successful
  • Leaving it until late will necessitate 1-2 hrs multiple times in a short span of time
• Communication & Coordination
  • Responding to hike info
  • Carpool coordination
  • Learning from others’ questions in group chats or responding
  • Paying attention to deals or sale days (REI sales, Outlet popups etc)
  • The broadcast-only announcement group exists to help you optimize

 L6.  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.

T1.  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

T2.  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.

T3.  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.

T4. No. Typically the first overnight in a tent will be on the big climb.

• Practicing tent setup, sleeping bag comfort, sleeping pad inflation, mid-night loo needs and carrying the tent etc. are expected independently either by yourself or with your chosen tent-mates.
• Training hikes will include the expected weight of shelter components, but actual Shelter gear is not required nor expected until the final climb.

There is at least one training hike (Camp Muir) that requires an “Alpine” (early morning 2 to 4am) start and thus an overnight near the mountain. Climbers usually share rooms in a hotel nearby. Some Climbers have found nearby Campsites of their own accord, booked permits and practiced camping the prior night (leaving their tents and infrastructure in the car before the training climb). Others have “car-camped” (stayed overnight in their vehicles). This saves money but affords no training benefit and can compromise sleep and thus the energy available for the training climb ahead. Asha leads will not lead such pre-hike camping and may dissuade you.

T5.  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
• Weather changes with altitude and orientation of the mountain
• Even with experienced people studying weather, maps and predictions, weather may change
• Safety shall be the top priority
• Guides and leads make go/no-go decisions based on their knowledge of the climbers confidence, capabilities and teamwork
• Climbs may be delayed or turned around and incomplete
• Every effort is taken to predict if weather will preclude a safe climb or summit attempt and re-schedule if possible
• A summit attempt may still not be possible due to changes in weather after the initial climb
• Proper gear and pacing are critical to reduce risks from weather

T6.  Dates for the big Climbs are usually set in advance, planned and coordinated with the Adventure company guides.

• As we get closer to the dates, the weather will be studied carefully.
• If a summit attempt is known to be impossible due to weather in advance of the climb, an effort may be made to re-schedule the climb
  • Not all climbers will be able to re-arrange their schedules for a change of date
• If a summit attempt is deemed possible, the Climb will proceed on the dates as planned
• Every scheduled climb carries some risk that the Climb may begin, but a summit may not happen
  • The Asha Climbing program views such a risk as inherent to the sport
  • Calls are made on the basis of Safety
  • Asha’s climbing program values the experience of every Climb
  • Asha leads regarding the decision making process as learning and teaching tools of weather, safety and the process of weighing factors to make a call

T7.  No. Although every climber trains and equips themselves to be able to complete a climb entirely on their own, Climbing relies on a Team effort to reduce risks, increase safety and protect life and limb.

• Group climbs take a Team approach to decision making
  • Asha Leads and Guides may be looked upon for leadership, especially if there are technical factors involved
  • Note that Asha Leads may not always be part of a final climb, and Guides may not know the personalities or needs of individuals (who should know each other from training together).
• Stronger, faster climbers are expected to help and support slower or struggling climbers
• No Climber shall be left on the mountain alone
  • During training hikes Asha leads shall be present to support each climber
• Climbers are expected to check on each other to ensure that everyone’s needs for nutrition, hydration, safety & ability are met, and to share their resources once their own needs are met.
• Climbers individual classroom learnings, attentiveness, skills, strength and judgement will affect all other climbers on their team in a group climb
• Individual abilities or even health may alter whether a summit push is possible or not for the whole group
• Individual judgement calls can impact the safety of the entire group
• Team work is especially critical on roped climbs, which require strong communication, positive assumptions of character and intent and need patience for pacing and strength

T8.  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.
• Cold food / meals are expected on training hikes.
• Having extra food, water and fast-replenishing foods for every hike are part of Safety and the “10 Essentials“

On the final overnight climb, Asha hires Guides from an Adventure company.

• Guides will bring some shared kitchen infrastructure like stoves, fuel cannisters and pots to melt snow for hot water.
• Hot water is assured for 1 meal (typically dinner) a day, and water for a hot beverage may be made available in the morning.
• Shared equipment will be distributed between the team to help carry weight (May also include snow-stakes, ropes, emergency measures etc.)

Pre-hike and post-hike meals are typically coordinated between climbers as part of their carpool. Travel and budgets have to be managed according to preferences.

S1. 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.

Big ticket items are Mountain Boots, Sleeping Bag, Tent, Backpack, Glacier glasses, Crampons. Of these, the Shelter & Snow & Ice equipment (see gear list) are the most easily borrowed from hikers who are not doing overnight climbs. Mountain boots get broken in for your weight and foot, so may end up being a necessary personal investment.

S2. 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.

Camping or regular hiking gear is typically NOT suitable: Mountain gear has to be carried on your back and is therefore weight sensitive. Lighter / more technical == More expensive. To save money, build strength in the gym to carry affordable gear!

• Food, water and clothing
  • See separate sections on Nutrition & Clothing / Wearables
  • Plate / Bowl, Mug / Cup, Spoon,
  • Mountain Boots (considered Gear)
• Hiking Equipment
  • Hiking shoes / boots & Gaiters (Part of Wearables)
  • Hiking Poles
  • First-aid and other items as part of “10 Essentials” like Compass, Head Lamp, Knife, Lighter
  • Hike Hygiene: Sanitizer, Wag Bag, Pee tube for women (optional), Ziplock to pack it out
• Shelter
  • 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)
• Snow / ice equipment
  • Glacier Glasses (Thin mountain air, high UV index, ice and snow reflections test the limit of the visual capacity)
  • Climbing harness, ropes or cords, and carabiners
  • Climbing helmet (to protect objects falling from above), Ice axe
  • Crampons & Microspikes
  • Hand / Foot / Toe Warmers
• A good way to carry it all
  • Hiking backpack of ~40-60lb capacity (fitted to your back length)
  • Water bottle / Hydration bag w tube that doesn’t freeze

S3.

•  FIRST:
  • Hiking shoes: Regular sneakers will not have enough grip. Because we will carry pack weight, high-top boots with ankle support is recommended.
  • Clothing:  Exercise clothing (typically tech fabrics manage sweat well) for outdoor conditions, including gloves, hats, smartwool or hiking socks. To know how to dress, look up the temperature at the base of the hiking route we are taking, for the time that we are starting. Then add 10ºF  to simulate what it will feel like while hiking (due to heat generated from the activity). Note that temperature will increase as the day progresses, but temperature will also drop slightly as as we climb in elevation and are exposed to more wind.
• EARLY:
  • Hiking poles: These help to make one more stable as well as distribute some load from legs to arms. Getting these early helps to build good training habits and also to learn the rhythm of planting the pole along with the opposite foot.
  • Hiking Backpack: A good pack with the right capacity 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.
  • Hiking Gaiters: Keeps snow from getting into your shoes / boots for deeper snow routes
• MID-SEASON:
  • Microspikes: (used with regular hiking boots / shoes) will become necessary for the snowy & icy hikes.
  • Mountaineering boots: will be soon required to train in. The sooner we “break-in” our boots, the sooner we learn to manage the boot weight, hotspots and issues.
  • Hand / Foot / Toe Warmers: Depending on how cold your body runs, you may find it much more comfortable to train with disposable (and compostable available) warmers that last 6 to 10 hrs. It helps to get them early enough to train with them in learning to regulate your own temperature needs.
• IN ADVANCE OF SNOW-SKILLS:
  • Climbing helmet & Ice Axe
  • Climbing harness, Locking Carabiners & Cords 
  • Crampons, Glacier Glasses
• LAST BEFORE OVERNIGHT / BIG CLIMB:
  • Tent: Decisions may take into account weight to cost optimization & opinions of tent-mates for size and how to split it.
  • 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.
  • Wag Bags, Plate / Bowl, Mug, Spoon, Hot-meals

S4. 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 long underwear, 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 or fleece). Waterproof layers usually require a way to vent the moisture and heat released from the body.

Other WEARABLES include:

• Hiking shoes / boots
  • For early hikes before we train with Mountaineering Boots, and optionally on non-summit / non-snow days of big climbs
  • High-top boots with ankle support recommended.
  • Trail runners with good lugs can work for sure-footed, strong ankle athletes willing to take the risk
• Moleskin / Lubrication
  • To prevent or heal from chafing or hotspots typically on the shins, or toes within boots or armpits, inner thighs and nipples
• Waterproof Hiking / Snow gaiters
  • High-calf, below-knee or above-knee lengths are recommended
• Sport Watch
  • Garmin or other Sport watches can show Distance & Elevation, HR, VO2 Max and other athletic information that can help optimize performance or manage any conditions. Some devices can also help you track sleep and other measures of training.
• Handkerchief (pinned to backpack shoulder strap)
  • Indispensable to some whose noses leak outdoors / have exercise rhinitis
• Neck Gaiter / Balaclava / Buff
  • Can help warm up the air before breathing it in, and keep the neck warm. (Can also be used as hanky).
• Regular sunglasses
  • For smaller climbs with regular sunlight
• Sunblock & Chapstick
  • For snow peaks, these are MANDATORY items. Bleeding lips & burning skin are safety issues and can impair judgement and create a more significant hazard than is intuitive.
• Beanie / Hat
  • Thin, but warm beanies can be worn under the later-worn climbing helmets for summit pushes or snowy peaks
  • For regular hikes, any hat will do, but suggest water / wind proof options meant for fitness

S5. Clothing is used to release or retain body heat and will regularly need to be varied through a single hike. While moving, climbers can expect to feel 10º to 20ºF warmer than when standing still. Peaks that are exposed to wind can feel significantly colder especially when taking a break or sitting to eat before the descent. The season will include training on how to layer and de-layer during a hike and how to be efficient during breaks.

Every climber is unique in terms of temperature and moisture needs. Please use the season to build your knowledge and intuition about your own body in outdoor conditions, how hot or cold you run, how much you sweat etc.

• If you wear too many layers or cannot de-layer effectively:
  • You will be too warm, and your core temperature will rise
  • You will use more moisture and increase your hydration needs
  • You may sweat and find yourself wet, which may become a problem in freezing temperatures
  • You will fatigue more quickly and easily and run out of energy
• If you are too light on layers and cannot layer adequately:
  • You will be cold, and your core temperature may drop
  • You may experience numbness and tingling in the extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears)
  • You may not be able to effectively use your hands and lose finger dexterity for holding poles, drinking water etc.
  • You may find stability harder to access since feeling your toes helps your balance
  • Your thinking and judgement may be impaired
  • You will fatigue more quickly as your body may be expending energy to keep you warm

S6. 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.

C1. The Asha Program Cost varies slightly by year. See Cost Section on the 2026 Climbing Program Page

C2. Your fundraising commitment goes entirely to Asha for Education projects and is tax-deductible to those who donate it.
All other costs are for items charged by the Adventure Company. Asha Leads are 100% volunteer and no one is paid to participate in the program to help mentor or support climbers, nor for the time taken to coordinate the program.

C3.  No. Costs on the worksheet only show:

• Asha Program Cost (For Adventure Company Guides on the big climbs, Snow skill classes etc.)
• Fundraising Commitment (that you have to pay if you cannot meet through asking your network)

C4. In addition to the cost of the program, please plan for:

• Climbing/Hiking apparel
  • Wide range depending on what you may already have and how high-end you want to go, but expect $200 – $600
• Climbing / Hiking gear  (purchase/rent)
  • Depends on what you have / borrow / share.
  • Depends on how hi-tech / ultra-light you want to go
  • Big ticket items Retail NEW:
    • Mountaineering Boots: $250 – $450
    • Backpack: $180 – $350
    • Tent: $300- $600
    • Sleeping Bag: $150 – $300
• 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)
  • $20-$50 socializing, meals with Climbing Team etc.
  • $100 – $250 for each overnight trip within driving distance
• Tips/gratuities to Guides for Snow Skills & the final climbs/hikes.
  • $30 to $40 for Snow Skills  ($15 to $20 per instructor x 2)
  • $150 to $200 for each guided climb depending on group size, weather, challenges etc.

C5.

• Rent / Borrow / Buy used gear
  • Biggest ticket items: Mountaineering boots, Tent, Backpack & Sleeping bag
  • Intermediate ticket items: Outer puffer shell & Waterpoof layers, Crampons, Ice-Axe, Glacier Glasses, Helmet
  • Facebook Marketplace is a huge resource
• Buy Smart:
  • Wait for Sales (REI has a 20% Memorial Day / Anniv. Sale offering 20% – 40% discounts)
  • Look for “health & wellness” benefits from your Employer / Company that may apply for fitness items
  • Look for Sales / Online deals and Pop-up Outlets from big brands or outdoor companies
  • Optimize weight to cost by thinking about how weight aggregates
  • Pay attention Whatsapp group discussions regarding discussion around Sales & Deals
• 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 or even equipment

F1. Fundraising is the reason the program exists.  The funds raised supports educational opportunities for children who otherwise would not have access to schooling.

F2. Funds go directly to education projects on the ground

• All the money raised through this program gets distributed among 20+ NGOs that Asha Seattle works with across India.
• Each donor helps us ensure that kids don’t just attend school and they actually learn. We support our project partners in India with diverse education needs – it could be a supplementary school, school with special needs, vocational training classes or education to empower women and offer consent and self-advocacy training by gender.
• To learn more about our projects and locations, please visit the current / ongoing Asha Seattle project list.
• Asha for Education is a 100% transparent and volunteer driven organization. Every single $ you raise is dispersed to our projects.
• All the leads are 100% volunteer who train and mentor climbers at no cost.
• Asha Leads who sign up for Climbs are also obligated to fundraise for Asha, same as Climbers
  • Some of our projects:
    https://www.facebook.com/mssuhas/videos/10218177169834383/

F3. A positive approach with the idea of using your network to create opportunities for a child in India is at the heart of effective fundraising.

• Assume goodwill and interest from many in your network.
• People who want to encourage you don’t usually have a tangible way to express their enthusiasm for you.
• Your fundraiser gives your people a chance to pat you on the back in a way that can change more than just one life.
• Many people WANT to give, but don’t know where their contribution can be effective and well used.
• Your credibility stands for Asha, connecting your network with a solid, transparent, effective and impactful charity that they can trust.

Some climbers simply choose to contribute on their own, using a donation match by their own Employer to meet the committed amount. Asha would prefer that each climber learn about Asha’s work, use the opportunity to reach their network about their climb and interlink the positivity and accountability generated from each ask for Asha’s mission.

F4. Every Team Asha athlete gets a Fundraising Profile Page (FPP) setup by Asha. If you believe that you can be more effective with a Facebook or other fundraising page of your own, you may set it up, directing the donation link to the one set up through your Asha FPP, so as to ensure that the donation is tagged with your name, the Seattle chapter and the relevant program.

Note that donations made on a third party site (such as Facebook or GoFundMe) may incur additional platform charges before the donated amounts are transferred to Asha. For this reason, we recommend that even if a separate page is set up to promote your cause and event, that the donations are directed through the link in your Asha FPP.

Please attend the classroom session on fundraising. Tips include how to group your network by how you know them, and how to use your voice in having conversations about your Climbing and your cause.

F5. Yes. If the fundraising obligation amount is $1000, you or the Employee who matches the donation can donate $500 to Asha (see “How does a Donation count against my fundraising obligation?” below), then the donor can apply for the Employee match (assuming 100% match), and give evidence of having applied for the match and company confirmation. This $500 + match $500 = total of $1000 meets* the fundraising obligation.

*Some Athletes have advertised on their Fundraising Profile Page (FPP) and in their messages to their friends that they will personally match the funds that they receive from their network. This is a wonderful way of using one’s credibility to create trust in Asha. So if their friends and family collectively donate $350, they “match” the amount by donating another $350 from their own funds, and then have that amount matched by their employer’s matching-funds program, for another $350, raising a total of $1050 towards their obligation.

We are further grateful to those who have raised their entire obligation amount through their friends and family (Ex: $800), and then matched that amount personally ($800 + $800), then again availed of a match of their amount (another $800) through their company, making for 3x the obligatory amount (In the case of an obligation of $800, the raised total in this example = $2400).

Asha encourages each climber to raise funds through their network, spreading the word about Asha, and using their credibility to represent Asha within the community and their network rather than simply donating on their own.

F6.

✔ Share your personal story
✔ Take time to learn and be personally convinced about Asha
✔ Start early
✔ Share stories from your weekly hikes
✔ Ask confidently
✔ Follow up gently once your big climb is over
✔ Thank donors promptly

Be sure to attend our fundraising session. Training and templates will be provided.  Here are some Tips from our Asha alumni from past Team Asha programs.

F7. This is a valid concern that every new member of Team Asha has. We will help you with ideas, materials, fundraising learning session to help with this goal. Till date, more than 90% of our athletes have raised more than the minimum fundraising targets.

Some Athletes have advertised on their Fundraising Profile Page (FPP) and in their messages to their friends that they will personally match the funds that they receive from their network. This is a wonderful way of using one’s credibility to create trust in Asha. So if their friends and family collectively donate $500, they “match” the amount by donating another $500 from their own funds, and then have that amount matched by their employer’s matching-funds program, for another $500, raising a total of $1500 towards their obligation.

We are further grateful to those who have raised their entire obligation amount through their friends and family, and then matched that amount personally, then again availed of a match of their amount through their company, making for 3x the obligatory amount.

F8.  Every Team Asha athlete gets their own Fundraising Profile Page (FPP), which has a link to donate that is unique for each person, and the event (Team Asha program for that year and season) for the Asha Seattle chapter. Donations that are made using that link will automatically progress the donation counter on the Profile Page towards the obligation amount.

When someone donates outside of that link (for Examples & Use Cases see below):

• You must fill out this (link coming soon) Non-Profile-Page Dollars Form indicating
  • $ Amount
  • Date and time of the donation
  • Platform used for the donation (Ex: Benevity for Microsoft employees or GoFundMe etc.) and
  • A screenshot of the transaction and / or receipt if applicable.
  • Examples / Use Cases:
    • Microsoft Employee donating via the company Benevity portal
    • An investor who gives via their brokerage “Donor Advised Funds” (DAF)
    • A donation made by someone residing in India in Rupees to Asha Trust, India
    • A donor who accidentally chose a different Asha chapter through their employer portal
    • A donor who gave through the Asha general donation page instead of the Athlete’s FPP link
    • Climbers who set up an independent fundraising page like a “GoFundMe” or “Facebook fundraiser”, and donations are received on that platform
    • etc.
  • Asha uses the data in the form to help the Chapter Treasurer match the donated amount to the Athlete, Event and Chapter
  • Team Asha volunteers manually updates your FPP to reflect an “offline donations” amount

When there is a corporate or a company match of a donated amount:

• You have to fill out this same (link coming soon) Non-Profile-Page Dollars Form indicating
  • $ Amount of donation & $ Amount of the Match
  • Date the Match was requested / approved & which company
  • Platform used to request the match (Ex: Email, Benevity, Other company platform)
  • A screenshot of the match confirmation or match application
• Asha uses the data in the form to help the Chapter Treasurer collect the matched amounts from the company at the end of its payout periods and match it to you
• Since matches may be paid out at different times, Asha assumes positive outcomes and trusts the screenshot submitted to manually updates your FPP to reflect the matched amounts as part of “offline donations”.
• If there are any contingencies (Company will not pay a match or will rescind their match if an employee leaves), please inform Asha volunteers or the Chapter treasurer if you believe that a match will not come through.

F9.  Team Asha volunteers will work with you throughout the program and beyond to help you honor your pledge of raising the target amount. The reason this program exists is to support underprivileged children and not simply an endurance training program. The program is integrated into the Chapter’s budgeting and planning cycle. When our projects partners in India present their annual budgets for consideration, we evaluate them on the basis of our financial ability, which includes the anticipated funds raised through the climbing program. We will support you to our best ability to honor your commitment in helping these children. If in the end you still fail to reach the target you are required to cover the balance by yourself.

B1. Yes. Climbers of all genders / gender identities are welcome.

B2. Yes. Topics covered in the learning session will include:

• Sports bras and layering
• Sweat management
• Anti-chafing strategies
• Sun protection

B3. The hiking cadence typically involves a break every 10 minutes for 1 hour of climbing. Climbers will learn to refuel, rehydrate and relieve themselves 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 will build as a team.

Many women find that a pee device is a helpful addition to their hiking kit, increasing discretion, comfort and hygiene. There will be a separate session for women as part of the training season.

“Leave no trace” principles usually 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.

B4. Periods are normal and manageable. Rarely do women climbers skip or miss hikes or training due to a period. It is advisable to adjust the intensity of effort based on individual needs. Team leads are supportive and discreet.

Planning tips, Hygiene strategies, Management and more will be discussed in the Women’s session with room for individual questions and answers.

Women are encouraged to understand and plan for the energy, hydration, nutrition and emotional needs of their unique Start, Luteal, Follicular and Finish phases of their cycles. This article (although written for runners) may offer useful considerations for women including and beyond their biology.

B5. Hiking packs are adjusted for back length. Many backpacks offer women’s models with design features suited for women’s bodies and frames. If borrowing a pack, consider if the pack manufacturer offered a design for women for that year’s model.

Since pack weight is optimal around 25% of body weight, but many pieces of gear have threshold weights, smaller framed climbers may need to be careful to purchase lighter gear or minimize their gear to reduce overall weight. Smaller climbers may also have to train harder to carry a larger proportion of weight than their larger or heavier peers.

Sociological considerations may include needing to “train” to make time for oneself, for adequate sleep, for strength training and mid-week climbs. Self-empowerment may require practice for oneself and one’s family. Family, childcare and caregiver role expectations may need unique navigations to keep the program commitments. Feel free to reach out to Asha leads if you face challenges, or could use help, need support or strategies.