What is included in a Gary Brill Avalanche Education program?
• Professional guiding and instruction
• Course materials and Lecture Book
• Problem set/scenario booklet

What is NOT included in Gary Brill Avalanche Education programs?
• Transportation to and from the trailhead
• • Guide gratuities
• Personal gear & equipment• Food
* Changes may be made at any time. See Gary Brill Avalanche Education Policies and procedures for details.
* There are some differences for certain trips. Gary Brill Avalanche Education Policies & Procedures specific to your trip for more information.

How soon do our courses/trips fill up?
Although it is uncertain, to help you secure a spot on the course of your choice we recommend you contact us and fill out an application as soon as possible. Many people will indicate multiple date possibilities in order to ensure enrollment.

How should I sign up or apply for a trip or course?
To register for a course please contact The Vertical World at 206-293-4497 (Seattle), 425-881-8826 (Redmond) or Marmot Mountain Works at 425-453-1515

What should I do if I need to cancel a trip or course?
We understand that sometimes changes are required. If you decide to cancel your trip, Gary Brill Avalanche Education must be notified in writing. Your space in the course or trip will be cancelled from the date we receive your written notice. Dependant on your date of cancellation you may be assessed a cancellation fee:

What do I do if I need to change the dates of my trip?
All change of date requests should be received in writing as soon as possible. We want to have you out there with us and will do our best to work with you to find another date that works.

What happens in the event Gary Brill Avalanche Education cancels a trip?
In the rare case that Gary Brill Avalanche Education has to cancel a trip due to insufficient registration or other reasons beyond our control we will work with you to place you on another date that works with your schedule.  If this is not possible we will provide you with a credit or a full refund.

When should I plan to leave and return home?Avalanche field trip begin early and end late.  Plan on being gone all day.
Is it possible to find out who will be my instructor or guide?
Yes, absolutely! All of our guides are highly skilled professionals who have been selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, careful judgment, patience, teaching styles, and great personalities. At a minimum, all of our guides and instructors have been Wilderness First Responder certified and are proficient in technical rescue and evacuation skills. Some Cascade Alpine Guides staff  have educational backgrounds that can enhance your learning experience.

How should I consider tipping my instructor or guide?
The amount of the gratuity depends solely on your level of outstanding satisfaction and length of the course or climb. Generally, a minimum of $10-15/day for the lead guide and $5-10/day for the assistant are considered standard. Gary Brill Avalanche Education leaves this entirely up to you! If you had an EXCEPTIONAL time it’s likely that at least one of your guides had a hand in that.

What is expected for me to bring on my trip?
A complete clothing, gear & equipment list will be sent to you upon registration. Each list comes with a complete description of each item. Please call us if you have questions or need help locating any of the items on the list. For your safety and comfort, it is extremely important that you adhere strictly to the equipment list.

How do I know if I have the right clothing and equipment?
Well before you depart on your adventure, we will give you a call to discuss the particulars of your course or climb. At this time you can review the equipment you have selected and get our input. Selecting the right gear can be a quite a challenge and we are happy to help so give us a call if you have further questions.

How much weight will I be carrying in my pack?
On each of our trips you will be required to carry a portion of the group gear and food, in addition to your gear. Please consider this when deciding what you will bring. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your pack weight below 40 pounds and be sure to leave extra space to pack the group gear and food.

What is the weather like in the Pacific Northwest?
The Puget Sound area and the Pacific Northwest are somewhat unique in the respect that it makes conditions nearly impossible to predict. Generally June, July, August, and September have the best weather, but adverse weather can occur at any time. You should be prepared for a wide range of temperatures, from freezing nights and snowy and windy conditions, to bright sunshine intensified by high altitude. These conditions make it especially important that you bring everything on the equipment list. Because our climbs, courses and adventures take place in the alpine environment, our guides and instructors will be constantly making decisions regarding the trip itinerary based on current weather and route conditions. Gary Brill Avalanche Education will make every attempt to follow our trip schedules, but the decision to amend an itinerary is always at the sole discretion of your guide or instructor. If you are unable to reach a summit because of weather, or any other reason, Cascade Alpine Guides will not provide a refund or credit.

Are trips rated as to difficulty level?
Yes. The following indicates how we rate our trips and what the recommendations are for participation on such a climb or course.

Gary Brill Avalanche Education Adventure Ratings
Mountaineering:
• Beginner - no previous mountaineering skills required.
• Advanced Beginner - basic mountaineering skills recommended including self-arrest, cramponing, ice axe use, rope and glacier travel experience.
• Intermediate - basic mountaineering skills recommended in addition to experience on technical terrain consisting of 40-50 degree snow/ice slopes.
• Advanced Intermediate- intermediate mountaineering skills recommended and proven experience on technical terrain and high altitudes to 20,000 feet.
• Advanced - intermediate/advanced mountaineering skills recommended in addition to experience on technical terrain, including rock and ice climbing and ascents over 20,000 feet.

Hiking & Backpacking:
• Easy - 1-2 hours of daily activity. No previous backpacking skills required.
• Easy - Moderate - 1-2 hours of daily activity. No previous backpacking skills required.
• Moderate - 4-5 hours of daily activity over varity of terrain. Hiking 4-10 miles. Active novices are welcome
• Moderate-Plus+ - 5+ hours of daily activity on steep terrain. Hiking up to 12 miles. Familiarity with basic skills is recomended.
• Strenuous - 7-8 hours of daily activity over hilly - steep terrain with heavy loads. Hiking up to 14 miles. Prior experience and a physician's release required.

Can I be in too good of shape?
No! Most, if not all of our adventures require some level of exceptional physical conditioning. Your ability to enjoy your adventure and the spectacular surroundings are greatly increased the better condition you are in. We recommend that you simulate the activity you are training for and increasing the level of exertion as the routine becomes easier. We suggest that you use containers of water for uphill hikes and empty the contents for the descent to reduce knee strain. In order for you to adequately prepare for you adventure we recommend you begin your training regiment at least 6-9 months prior to your adventure. We offer many different options to help ensure you arrive in good physical condition. Call our office for more details.

How does Gary Brill Avalanche Education handle summit ascents when a team member is unable to continue?
Safety is our HIGHEST consideration and is of primary concern on all our offerings. Participants should remember that they are part of a team and that the safety and security of the entire team member is the highest priority. In the unlikely event that the entire group is required to get a team member down, they will be called upon to assist the guides and instructors. If an individual trip member can be escorted safely by another qualified individual, we will make every attempt to complete our climb.

Will we customize a trip specific to my needs?
Gary Brill Avalanche Education welcomes the opportunity to customize a trip for you, your friends, or organization. Our published land costs are typically based on 8 - 10 individuals and therefore the number in your party may affect your land costs. We can arrange custom trips for as few as one individual as well as a large group. A $200 non-refundable deposit for custom trip planning which will be applied towards your trip cost at the time of your reservation.

Will we offer trips for my Family?
Yes, we currently do offer trips that are specifically designed for families. Please call our office for details 1-800-981-0381

Does Gary Brill Avalanche Education have a minimum age requirement?
We will gladly accept participants 16 years or older on our regularly scheduled trips, if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You must be 18 years or older to participate in a Gary Brill Avalanche Education trip on your own. We will be happy to accommodate people under the age of 16 on custom trips only.