Washington's Nat'l Parks - Trip Prospectus - August 14-28, 2010

HIKING IN
WASHINGTON’S NATIONAL PARKS
Mt. Rainier and Olympic
Day trip to Vancouver Island

August 14-28, 2010

Thank you for your interest in our excursion to Mt Rainier and Olympic National Parks in the state of Washington Cost of this trip is $2250 - $2400 for fourteen nights lodging, van travel in Washington, some meals, ferry boat passage to Victoria, and guided hikes in Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks.

Hiking will be the main activity on this two-week vacation. There will be travel days and sightseeing to allow for some “down time”. Most days you will have a choice of two different hikes with varying distances and levels of difficulty. Nancy and Bob will lead the more difficult hikes. Kathy’s hikes will be shorter with less elevation gain. Four nights will be spent at each National Park location plus two nights at a motel near the airport in Seattle. We will visit two different sections of Mt. Rainier National Park – the White River/Sunshine and Paradise areas. On one of our Olympic NP days, we will take the ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Mt. Rainer National Park
At 14,410 feet high, Mount Rainier is the highest point in Washington. The region’s infamous moisture-laden air has made Mount Rainier one of the snowiest spots in the country. Record snowfalls have created numerous glaciers on the mountain’s flanks, and one of these, the Carbon Glacier, is the lowest-elevation glacier in the continental United States. Mount Rainier is located 110 miles SE of Seattle. Leaders hiked there in 2008 and will share favorite hikes.

Olympic National Park is situated in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula at land’s end in the northwestern corner of Washington, dominated by the towering glacier-capped peaks of the Olympic Range, stands as on e of the last genuine wilderness regions in the “lower 48”. Much of the park can only be accessed on foot and the park’s 600 miles of trails are proof that the Olympics are a hikers paradise.

An important element contributing to the fascination of Olympic Park is the astounding diversity embraced within its boundaries. From the Pacific beaches of Kalaloch through the rain forests of Quinault and the Hoh River, along the thunderous Rivers – the Elwha, Bogachiel, Quinault – that carve spectacular deep gorges, to the soaring snow clad summits of Mount Olympus and the Bailey Range, Olympic National Park offers an extraordinary adventure hiking opportunity.

From our base in Port Angeles we will drive to different trailheads to offer a variety of hikes.

Victoria, Vancouver Island. We will take the one hour “passenger only” ferry across the seventeen miles Strait of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island. While in Victoria, you will have a vast array of optional activities to choose from including the world famous Butchart Gardens founded in 1904. From the exquisite Sunken Garden (once a limestone quarry) to the charming Rose, Japanese and Stalion gardens, this 50acre showplace still maintains the gracious traditions of the past. The Royal B.C museum is located in the Inner Harbor area. The well designed museum offers something for everyone. Also located in the Inner Harbor is the grand old Empress Hotel; be sure to browse through the many intriguing shops and perhaps linger awhile and enjoy High Tea. Another interesting part of Victoria’s history is the Craigdarrouch Castle built in the late 1800’s by Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. IMPORTANT: A PASSPORT IS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS DAY TRIP TO VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA.

Accommodations -
Seattle - For the convenience of airline connections, we will spend one night at the beginning and one at the end of the trip at the Sleep Inn, Seatac Airport – Basic motel with free 24 hour shuttle to and from airport. Two beds per room. Breakfast is included. We are only twenty minutes outside downtown Seattle. Those who arrive early may want to explore the city..
http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=04855&brandInfo=DI
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Olympic NP - We will first explore Olympic National Park for four days, staying in the town of Port Angeles:
Downtown Hotel, Port Angeles, WA
http://www.portangelesdowntownhotel.com/

We are renting thirteen of the seventeen rooms in this conveniently located hotel. Private rooms will be available for most singles. Breakfast is NOT included, but, leaders will have rooms with kitchenettes where lunch makings and beverages can be stored in refrigerators. You can walk out the door to many restaurants and also to the ferry to Vancouver Island.

Mount Rainier NP –
We spend four nights at the southwestern entrance to Mt. Rainier NP :
Nisqually Lodge, Ashton, WA
http://www.escapetothemountains.com/old_site/old_nisqually.html
Continental Breakfast is included. While there are no refrigerators in our rooms, there is a refrigerator in the hall for group use. There is a microwave in the breakfast room. If you do not choose to prepare your own breakfast, you have the option of going to a restaurant next door for a hearty breakfast (you pay). There will be two people to a room. Each of the 24 rooms in this chateau-style establishment is equipped with air conditioning, telephone, and television. There is a Great Room, with fireplace and open beam cathedral ceiling, for reading, relaxing or conversation with friends. An outdoor hot tub is available for guests. There are a few options for dinners. Good food at restaurant next door….or drive five minutes to other restaurants.

White River/Sunrise Entrance – We will spend four nights near the Hite River/Sunrise Entrance in the northwestern corner of the park at a Crystal Mountain hotel. TBA

Weather – That is a tough one….. Temperatures could range from 35 – 85 degrees. It could be wet (after all it is Washington)…..or it could be dry. We pack our raingear…..and our sunscreen. Actually, this is a very desirable time of year to hike in these National Parks.

Transportation - The cost of your flight from your home city to Seattle is not included. Because we are flying from different cities and people have their favorite airlines…..we will not all be arriving in Seattle at the same time. Schedule a convenient flight that arrives in Seattle, any time, on Saturday, August 14. You can take a free shuttle to the our motel near Seatac Airport . Cost of this hotel stay is included in price of trip. It is only twenty minutes from the city if you arrive early. You can walk to restaurants for dinner. We will rent three mini vans for our transportation within Washington.


Regarding flights - Kathy will keep an eye on the cost of flights and will let you know when there is a good fare available. You may prefer to use your frequent flyer mileage or some other plan for a free or discounted ticket. Cost of flight from Boston or New York can range $450 - $550

TRIP LEADERSHIP - Kathy, Bob, and Nancy led this same trip to Washington in 2008.

Kathy Didier owns and manages Pembrook in Woodstock, NH. She has been an AMC Boston Chapter leader for eightteen years. Kathy leads an average of eight week-long Interchapter and Major AMC Excursions each year. She leads trips all over the world…..from New Hampshire to Antarctica to Botswana. She led the trips to the Canadian Rockies in 2004 and 2007 and Washington’s National Parks in 2008. She is up to date with advanced wilderness first aid and CPR.

Nancy DiMeo is a Boston Chapter leader who has led interchapter excursions in the White Mountains annually for many years and often leads weekend trips out of Pembrook. She led AMC trips to Sedona, AZ in 1997 & 1998, Patagonia, Chile in 2001, New Zealand, Iceland, and Italy . She has led private groups to Alaska, to the Copper Canyons of Mexico, to Mount Hood, Oregon, Washington, the Canadian Rockies as well as a rim to rim trip to the Grand Canyon. For many years, Nancy has led hut to hut trips in New Hampshires’s White Mountains. While completing her degree in occupational therapy she earned a minor in outdoor education. She also has a masters degree in Human Services Administration. She has completed Advanced SOLO Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR.

Robert DiMeo is a Boston Chapter Intro leader who has led an interchapter excursion in the White Mountains as well as AMC hikes from Pembrook. He led AMC trips to New Zealand, Iceland and Italy. In addition to this he co-led a private camping trip to Alaska in 1999, Mt. Hood in 2003, Washington State in 2008, Canadian Rockies in 2004 and 2007. He also assisted leaders on 2 AMC trips to Sedona and another to Patagonia, Chile. He has led the Hut to Hut trips in the White Mtns. of NH. He has completed Advanced SOLO Wilderness First Aid Training and CPR. On a personal note Bob works as a licensed, independent clinical social worker and has a great deal of experience leading groups in this capacity.

While leaders are trained to administer emergency first aid, the cost of evacuation or any treatment beyond such first aid will be borne by the participant.

REQUIREMENTS Each participant must fulfill these requirements:

· Have the proper physical strength and stamina to participate in daily activities, which include strenuous up and downhill hiking over moderate terrain. Regular physical conditioning is necessary to prepare for this trip. Strength training (nautilus, free weights, etc.) is helpful. Remember that, the better condition you are in, the more enjoyable the trip will be for you. You should be able to hike several days in a row at a pace of two miles per hour. Our goal is not to bag mountain peaks…but, to enjoy the scenery along the way.

· Adaptability: An important criterion for this trip is the ability to be flexible. Our itinerary could change from day to day, planes can be delayed, and vans can break down. Everyone is expected to be able to “roll with the punches” as much as possible, be cooperative, abide by leader decision, and add to the total group experience while enjoying themselves.

· Understand Purpose of Trip: This trip is designed for everyone to experience the natural wonders of the State of Washington through hiking and sightseeing. Although each person comes with his or her own expectations, this is primarily a group trip and everyone is expected to be a cooperative member of it. Everyone is expected to participate in each day’s activities, barring of course, accident or illness.

· Although, enjoyment and appreciation of the National Parks are our purpose, our main objective will be a safe trip. Safety will always take priority in the leaders’ decision.

· This is a “Non-Smoking” trip.

COST $ 2250 – if we have a full trip of 13 participants and 3 leaders
$2400 – for a group of 11 participants and 3 leaders.
There is much interest in this trip and we expect to fill it…..and price will be $2250.

This is a non-profit trip. If cost of trip is less than estimated, you will receive a refund.

Included in the price:
· All transportation by rental cars or vans within Washington
· Three Leaders
· 6 breakfasts (2 at Seatac Motel, 4 at Nisqually Lodge)
· 2 dinners (Port Angeles and Crystal Mountain)
· Accommodations (motels, lodge rooms)
· National Park Entry
· Ticket – Round trip ferry ride to Vancouver Island

Not included in price:.
· Airfare: ranges $450 - $550
· Transportation to and from home airport
· Personal charges such as wine, liquor, laundry
· Any pre-trip costs or anything else not in the above list of “Included in the Price”
· Meals not included on itinerary
· Activities pursued on Vancouver Island

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Registration $700 deposit ($100 nonrefundable)
November 15 - payment of $700
April 15 - balance is due.

CANCELLATION POLICY
This trip is limited to thirteen participants. Trip is expected to fill very early. Once filled, Kathy will keep a waitlist. Kathy will make every effort to find a replacement…..but, it might not happen.

There is a $100 non-refundable fee charged if you cancel your reservation. Cancellation must be in writing. If we find a replacement for you, you will be refunded your payments minus $100. If we do not find a replacement, you will lose total of payments made to date.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE
It is advisable to have cancellation and baggage insurance

REGISTRATION
A separate application is required for each person. To reserve a spot on the trip, please mail the Application and deposit to :

Kathy Didier
PO Box C
Woodstock, NH 03293
603-726-3553
kdidier@suchmail.com