Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program
Backcountry Mentorship Program

Backcountry Mentorship Program

$1,499.00
/
Location
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Traveling in the backcountry is a lifelong pursuit. While access to the wilderness can be incredibly liberating, a myriad of factors can inhibit personal confidence and leadership. With learning the hazards and complexities of avalanches, and reading terrain, and finding good snow in a given location, and understanding weather and its effect on snow conditions, one can be left feeling incredibly overwhelmed. Even after learning how to ski/ride inbounds and taking the prerequisite AIARE Level 1 and Rescue courses, the learning curve to gain confidence is slow. Often our students and clients feel timid to make decisions even after a few years in the backcountry.

The Backcountry Mentorship Program is designed to support you as a backcountry traveler. You’ll be working directly with a trained professional ski and avalanche educator. Spend 3 months this winter (mid December – mid March) traveling in backcountry terrain all over the Cascades. You’ll practice skills like decision-making, conditions and safety evaluation, and skiing/riding technique; all with a professional guiding you along the way. Learn how to assess new areas and pick the best locations in any given condition. You might even find secret areas to shred some untracked powder! Feel confident knowing you have a pro by your side, and take that newfound confidence with you when the program is over. As a bonus, you’ll gain a community of new touring partners along the way! It’s a win, win, win!

Duration

  • 3 months

Season

  • Winter

Client:Guide Ratio

6:1

Minimum Participants

3

How it Works

The Backcountry Mentorship Program will run between mid-December and mid-March, and have up to 24 total days to choose from. Mentees will be given a code to register for a handful of days in a series throughout the season.

  • The enrollment period closes on December 10th, and registration is limited to 24 participants. Once registration is closed, Kaf Adventures will release a custom calendar for each participant to register for the dates of their choosing.
  • Participants will be eligible to enroll for up to 12 outdoor excursions. Trip sizes will be limited to 6 people. To keep things equitable and for participants to have a similar amount of time in the program, Kaf reserves the ability to adjust mentee participation.
  • Participants in the program can expect to work with a mentor for 9 – 12 days total in the program. Because dates are self-selected you can choose how much or little you’d like to participate.
  • A fee structure and last-minute cancellation/rebooking policy will be enforced once in the program to ensure we maximize spaces filled for each program day.
  • Kaf Adventures reserves the right to alter the scheduling process in the event of low enrollment. However, all participants will be well informed of any changes being made.


2025-2026 Program Dates Coming Soon

  • AIARE Level 1 Certificate.
  • AIARE Avalanche Rescue Certificate in the past 3 years.
  • Advanced skiing or snowboarding skills (ability to ski or ride black diamond runs and off-piste in all snow conditions).
  • At least 1 full year of backcountry touring experience applying the principles you learned in previous courses.
  • Ability to tour for 6-8 hours and ascend 3000-5000' with a 30 lb pack.
  • Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email full of important information - make sure to read it thoroughly!
  • Expect to hear from your guide or our team about a month before your trip or course. You will receive an email containing even more details, including exact meet up location and time and any other pertinent precourse information.
  • Leading up to your course, make sure to eat healthy, drink extra water, and get plenty of sleep.
  • Please arrive on time and ready to go at your pre-arranged meeting location. To get the most of our day, we'd like to begin right at the designated start time.
  • All along the way, our office team is available via email or phone to answer any questions you may have.

This program will leave you with knowledge and practical application of:

  • Following the weather and tracking the season’s conditions.
  • Regional variances.
  • Choosing tours based on weather and snow conditions.
  • Building route plans.
  • Best practices to become a more proficient and efficient backcountry traveler.
  • Uphill and downhill group management.
  • Decision making and communication in a small group.

PLUS:

  • A fun experience you’ll remember forever! 
  • A sense of accomplishment in achieving your goals for the season.
  • Confidence in your newfound skills and where to take them next.
  • Tips and tricks to add to your toolbox from our professional and knowledgeable guides.
  • New friends and a strong community!

Payment & Cancellation Policies

Travel Information & Trip Insurance

Meet the Team

Gratuities

FAQs

Equipment Lists

Required Gear

  1. Ski or splitboard setup
    -boots 
    -skis/splitboard
    -appropriate bindings
    -climbing skins
    -poles 
  2. Insulating/puffy layer
  3. Waterproof layer *hooded jacket and pants/bibs
  4. Head/face protection 
    -warm hat 
    -sun hat *baseball cap is fine
    -neck gaiter *buff
    -sunglasses with good side coverage 
  5. Hemet and googles for downhill riding
  6. Moisture wicking, non-cotton base layer top and bottom
  7. 2 pairs of gloves 
    -insulating gloves
    -waterproof gloves
  8. Personal kit
    -sunscreen *SPF 40 or higher
    -lip balm
    -headlamp and extra batteries
    -toiletries *please bring a plastic baggie for waste
    -personal medications and first aid
  9. Avalanche safety gear
    -transceiver
    -shovel
    -probe *longer is better for the maritime snowpack
  10. Water and your favorite snacks (maybe a thermos of hot soup!)
  11. 30-50L backpack *must fit avalanche safety gear inside


Not Pictured/Optional Gear
☐ Pre-made lunch items, easy to eat with gloves on
☐ Handy pocket items; gel, chews, bars, etc. ☐ Whistle
☐ Area maps and compass  ☐ Heavy duty plastic trash bags (for water-proofing) ☐ Camera ☐ Watch ☐ Half foam pad to stand/sit in snow ☐ Bandana

Car Equipment (items to keep in your car) *All of these items are optional but recommended when traveling in the mountains in winter.
☐ Water bottle or thermos ☐ Non-perishable food (salty snacks!) ☐ Comfortable and warm cloths, socks, and shoes ☐ First aid kit ☐ Folding saw ☐ Shovel ☐ Warm blanket or sleeping bag ☐ Tire chains

Backcountry Mentorship Program

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