Conditions for Mountaineering/Climbing

Conditions for Commercial Use Authorizations in the Park

This page lays out the conditions that companies which provide certain activities in Olympic National Park must meet while doing business in the park. Return to the general Do Business With Us page here.

 

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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATION
SPECIFIC ACTIVITY CONDITIONS

Activity: Guided Mountaineering/Climbing. These conditions are applicable to all authorized activities and areas listed on the authorization.

Authorized Services – The commercial activity authorized by this authorization is Guided Mountaineering/Climbing within authorized areas and on established trails within Olympic National Park. Hikes lasting one day or less require a guided interpretive day hiking authorization. No other commercial activity is permitted.

Parking and Loading/Unloading – All trips will begin and end at designated trails. Vehicles will park in designated parking spaces only.

Area Use – This authorization is applicable only for the use of the area, terms, and conditions designated herein. The area(s) authorized for use under this authorization must be left in substantially the same condition as it was prior to the activities authorized herein.

Approved Locations/Travel – Areas of operation and permit availability may be subject to change based on park management decisions to protect wilderness character. This permit does not give exclusive use to any area in the park.

Park Entrance Fee –

• Individuals participating in the activity will pay the individual per-person entrance fee.

• Annual and lifetime federal recreational land passes are accepted. These passes are good for the owner(s) of the pass plus three additional adults 16 and over who are part of the same party.

• Children under 16 are not charged.

• Individuals or groups who have previously paid the entrance fee must show proof of prior payment.

• Appropriate commercial non-road-based tour fees will be calculated and charged upon entry. The vehicle and driver/guide have free entry into the park.

• The CUA holder and/or guides may not use personal annual or lifetime federal recreational land passes to gain entry to the park for themselves or their customers when conducting business.

When entering the park each time, permittees must identify themselves; show a copy of the CUA, and state that they are transporting visitors. This will enable the entrance station personnel to verify that you are on the approved list for commercial activities and are to be charged the correct commercial fee. If the entrance station is closed, arrangements should be made to pay fees.

Employee Training and Guiding –

• Trips must be led by a designated employee who knows the park rules, regulations, and resources; is knowledgeable of the provisions of this authorization and can provide direction and instruction to participants.

• Each group must have one person identified as the group or trip leader who will remain with the group at all times and will carry a functioning two-way satellite communication device.

• All guides must have previous climbing and guiding experience that is equal in difficulty to the objective of their course or climb.

• All guides must have previous climbing and guiding experience for the terrain in which they are guiding. IE Glacier, Ice, Rock.

• Prior to any trip, all guides must have successfully completed training that is relevant to the terrain in which they will be working. This training may be industry standard, I.e. AMGA, or company sponsored.

• All guides must have successfully completed a Leave No Trace (LNT) program that meets or exceeds LNT’s Awareness course. At least one owner or employee in the organization must have attended a LNT Master Educator course.

• All CUA representatives and employees must exercise courtesy and consideration in their dealings with the public and the Park, and will present a neat, clean and otherwise professional personal appearance.

• All guides, when leading trips through areas of avalanche hazard must have successfully completed an avalanche training course that meets or exceeds the American Avalanche Association’s Recreational Level 2 or Professional Level 1.

• Olympic National Park takes our visitors safety seriously. Therefore, we urge ALL Guides leading a commercial group to possess a minimum Current Wilderness First Responder Certification or its equivalent and a current CPR certification. A list of guides and their certifications will be filed with the commercial services office. A copy of all current certifications must be maintained by the CUA holder base of operations and must be presented upon request from the park service within 24 hours.

• Guides must be at least 18 years of age.

• Guides must provide interpretation of the park to clients that reflect the park’s interpretive themes, significance statements and Leave No Trace.

• Guides must be trained in risk management principles, such as Leave No Trace, park rules and regulations, and in the requirements of the CUA conditions.

• Guides MUST carry a copy of the following and are required to present it up on request:

1. Current WFR/First Aid and CPR Certification

2. Valid, signed and current CUA

3. Food Handlers Certification

4. Backcountry Permits

Group Size – Each wilderness (backcountry) trip will be accompanied by one staff member for each five visitors or fraction thereof, with a maximum group size of 12 persons, which includes the staff. No clients will be left alone in technical terrain. If a client must be left in non-technical terrain, they must have two-way communication with the group leader.

Climbing – The following principles will apply to  

•  “Clean climbing” techniques will be used when climbing in Olympic National Park.  

• The use of motorized equipment (e.g., power drills) is prohibited by the Wilderness Act and federal regulation (36CFR 2.12). Practices such as gluing or chipping holds and damaging or removing vegetation on or at the base of climbing routes are prohibited (36 CFR 2.1). Entering a closed area and/or disturbing wildlife nesting, breeding or other activities is prohibited. (36CFR 1.5, 36CFR 2.2) These are regulations developed to protect all national park areas, including wilderness.  

• Climbers are required to adopt “Leave No Trace” principles and practices, to include packing out all track and human waste when on or in the vicinity of climbing routes. 

• Fixed anchors must be in compliance with NPS Reference Manual 41.

Camping – Camping is authorized only within designated campsites and may not exceed the group size limits.

Food Storage – All of Olympic National Park is designated as a secure food storage area. All food, garbage, and scented items must be properly stored at all times. Proper food storage methods are addressed at http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-food-storage.htm. All refuse will be packed out. Packers transporting food and other scented items for groups must fulfill food storage requirements until the load is transferred to the group receiving it.

• In the following areas, park approved animal resistant food containers (bear canisters) are the only authorized food storage method:   

1. on the wilderness coast (Hoh River to north boundary at Shi-Shi);  

2. Royal Basin area from the Lower Meadow (.75miles below Royal Lake) to and including Upper Royal Basin and Deception Basin;  

3. Sol Duc River drainage/Seven Lakes Basin High Divide Loop area to include all camps adjacent to and enclosed by the Deer Lake Trail,  

4. High Divide Trail, Lunch Lake Trail, Sol Duc River Trail,  

5. Mink Lake Trail,  

6. East High Divide Trail,  

7. Cat Basin Way Trail;   

• All areas of Olympic National Park must use park approved bear canisters.

• CUA holders are urged to use their own, park approved, bear canisters for clients.

Caches Prohibited - Equipment or food caches (items left unattended for more than 24 hours) are prohibited within Olympic National Park.

Itinerary – Approved backpacking itinerary, route, and campsites will be carried with this CUA. This CUA has been conditionally approved based on the attached itinerary. ALL Backcountry permits must be booked using an official email address from the CUA holder. Failure to comply could result in a delay in permit issuance and cost recovery fees for administrative time.

Violations – Violations of park regulations or the terms of this permit may result in the suspension of privileges granted by this permit and could lead to appropriate fines or citations, as well as suspension or revocation.