Adventure Hub FAQs:

Q: Do I need a permit to backpack the Grand Canyon?
A: Yes — and we handle that for you. Guided trips include permit planning, which is one of the hardest parts of DIY Grand Canyon backpacking. Rec.gov

Q: What’s the difference between Rim-to-Rim and out-and-back?
A: Rim-to-Rim is a full traverse from one side of the canyon to the other (usually North to South). It’s the most iconic route, and also the most logistically complex. Out-and-back trips (like South Rim to Bright Angel and back) are shorter and great for newer backpackers.

Q: I’m not a hardcore hiker. Can I do this?
A: It depends. Our trips are designed for everyday people — we’ll coach you on what to bring, how to train, and how to succeed. You do need baseline fitness, but you don’t need to be an elite athlete. If your willing to put your mind to it, then its possible.

Q: How hot does it get in the canyon?
A: Temps can exceed 90°F in April/May — especially in the inner canyon. We start early, plan for shade breaks, and help you stay cool and safe with hydration strategies and smart pacing. The best times to go are April and May for spring time trips. and October and September for fall. August sometimes can work but mind the mid day heat.

Q: What gear do I need to bring?
A: We provide a full gear list after booking. We supply group gear (like water filters and stoves), and you bring clothing, personal items, and a backpack. Rentals are available if needed. See our packing list for details

Q: What’s the food situation?
A: We provide backcountry meals and teach you how to fuel well on trail. You’ll need to pack your own snacks, and we’ll give you guidance on what works best for long days under the sun. Generally we eat like one might at home but with a better view.

Q: Where do we sleep?
A: Under the stars in a tent in beautiful, pre-approved backcountry campsites. We teach you how to set up camp, store food properly, and leave no trace. Tents included.

Q: How do you handle bathroom stuff?
A: We follow Grand Canyon regulations: catholes in designated areas, pack-out bags when required, and plenty of guidance if you’re new to it. In the Grand Canyon there are many bathrooms along the way in the main corridor which makes it very convenient for our Rim to Rim trips both in camp and on trail.

Q: What’s included in the price?
A: Permits, guiding, group gear, backcountry meals, trip planning support, and expert instruction. Transportation to the trailhead and personal gear is not included. We also design a one of a kind Sun hoodie that has a map of your trip as a momento of the trip.

Q: How do you get permits for Yosemite backpacking trips?
A: We handle that part. Yosemite permits are notoriously competitive — they open 24 weeks + 1 day in advance at midnight. We track those dates and secure them on your behalf. You can also get them as walk ups at the wilderness station, but that is more time intensive and not guaranteed. Rec.gov

Q: What routes do you guide in Yosemite?
A: Our core offerings include Yosemite Falls, Half Dome & Clouds Rest, the North Rim, and custom routes based on group interest. We focus on immersive experiences that balance challenge, beauty, and skill development.

Q: How do permits for national park backpacking trips work—and do I really need one?

A: If you’re planning to backpack overnight in most national parks—especially popular ones like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon—you’ll usually need a wilderness permit. These permits are required for backcountry camping and are meant to protect the land and limit crowding. They also provide the park with essential data for how to fund those trails. They’re managed through Recreation.gov, which handles permits for nearly all U.S. national parks, forests, and monuments.

But here’s the tricky part:

For high-demand routes (like Half Dome or Bright Angel in the Grand Canyon), permits can be tough to get. Some use a lottery system months in advance, and others get booked within minutes of being released. It’s a process that trips up a lot of new hikers.

That said—you don’t always need a wilderness permit to have an amazing adventure.

If you’re more into long day hikes and base camping, you can book a frontcountry campsite (like in Yosemite Valley’s Curry Village or South Rim campgrounds at the Grand Canyon) and explore incredible terrain without carrying everything on your back.

Pro tip for new backpackers:

If you have time, flexibility, or someone to help guide your planning, you can often snag a last-minute permit for something special. But if you’re overwhelmed, unsure what trail to pick, or just want the experience without the headache—that’s where a guide service like ours comes in.

Whether you go solo, with friends, or with a pro, the most important thing is to pick the experience that fits your style, your comfort zone, and your curiosity.

Q: Can I climb Half Dome with your team?
A: Yes — our 5-day Half Dome & Clouds Rest trip includes a permitted summit attempt, with full coaching and support. You’ll earn it, and we’ll help you every step of the way. Its also Possible to Hike it in one mega day which Ive guided before. its a lot less permit heavy but its also 18 miles and so not for the feint of heart.

Q: How hard are your Yosemite trips?
A: depending on the route it can be beginner friendly or intermediate in difficulty The first day is always the hardest but often after a few days people adjust to the packs. Expect full days of hiking, elevation gain, and some exposed terrain. That said, we tailor the pace to your ability and make sure everyone has time to take it all in.

We also use a spice rating to give a sense of the mental and physical challenge:

Our Classic Half Dome & Clouds Rest trip is a solid 🌶️ 3

The Yosemite Falls trip is a lighter 🌶️ 1+, with plenty of reward and just enough challenge to feel accomplished

If you're active and ready for a memorable experience, either one can be a great fit — we’ll help you find the right match.

Q: What’s the difference between Yosemite Falls and Half Dome trips?
A: The biggest difference is length and intensity.

Our Yosemite Falls trip is a 3-day loop that ascends the Yosemite Falls Trail and descends via Snow Creek. It’s ideal for newer backpackers or those short on time. The views of Half Dome from Indian Arch or Snow Creek between 3–5 PM? Absolutely stunning — and ironically, sometimes better than being on top of it.

Our Half Dome & Clouds Rest trip is a longer, more rugged experience. Over 5 days, you'll summit both Clouds Rest and Half Dome via the cables, with time to enjoy Yosemite’s backcountry at a deeper pace. It’s a great choice if you’re ready for a little more “spice” and want to move through some of the park’s most iconic ridgelines and wilderness zones.

Both trips are unforgettable — it just depends how much time you’ve got and how far you want to go.

Q: What’s included in your Yosemite trips?
A: Permits, experienced guide(s), group gear (water filters, stoves), backcountry meals (excluding snacks), and logistics support. You’ll get a packing list and planning call ahead of time.

Q: What about bears? Should I be worried?
A: Not if we do it right. We use bear cans, store all scented items securely, and follow Yosemite’s best practices. We’ll teach you how to do the same — and it becomes second nature by Day 2.

Q: Is altitude a concern in Yosemite?
A: It can be for some guests, especially on trips that hit elevations above 9,000 ft. We build in time to acclimate, hydrate, and adjust — and we always prioritize safety over summits.

Q: Can beginners join your Yosemite trips?
A: Absolutely. If you’re reasonably active and up for a challenge, we’ll take care of the planning and coach you through the rest. Yosemite is one of the best places to start.

Q: What types of climbing and mountaineering trips do you offer?
A: We guide everything from introductory rock climbing days to multi-day alpine and glacier trips. That includes Flatiron summit climbs, Yosemite instruction days, and snow/glacier courses on peaks like Mount Shasta.

Q: Do I need previous climbing or mountaineering experience?
A: Not for all trips. Many are beginner-friendly, especially intro climbing or single-day ascents. For alpine and glacier objectives, we recommend a base level of hiking fitness and some outdoor experience — but we’re here to teach. If you're not sure where to start, we’ll point you to the right match.

Q: What’s the difference between rock climbing and mountaineering?
A: Rock climbing usually involves short, vertical routes with ropes and protection. Mountaineering blends hiking, snow travel, rope systems, and often early alpine starts to reach a summit. It’s less about pulling hard and more about moving smart and staying focused in big terrain.

Q: What gear do I need? Do you rent equipment?
A: After booking, we’ll send a full packing list and help you sort it all out. We also offer free rental gear for key items:

Helmets

Harnesses

Tents

Trekking poles

Need help with mountaineering boots, crampons, or ice axes? We can guide you on where to rent or buy based on your trip.

👉 View our full packing checklist here.

Q: How hard are your climbing and mountaineering trips?
A: Difficulty varies — that’s why we use our Fitness + Spice scale on every trip.
Examples:

Flatiron Summit: Fitness 2 / Spice 🌶️ 1

Shasta Glacier + Rescue: Fitness 4 / Spice 🌶️ 4

Intro Climbing Days: Fitness 1–2 / Spice 🌶️ 1

We’re transparent about what to expect — physically and mentally — and support you through it.

Q: Do you teach skills or just guide climbs?
A: We do both. Every trip includes coaching, but some are full-on instructional (like crevasse rescue, snow school, or anchor-building clinics). Others are summit-focused but still packed with learning.

Q: What if I’m afraid of heights or exposure?
A: That’s totally normal — and you're not alone. Our guides are trained to manage exposure, coach confidence, and keep things safe. If you’re nervous, we’ll work with you step by step. You might be surprised what you’re capable of with the right support.

Q: Do I need experience to join a climbing or mountaineering trip?
A: Not always. Some of our trips are beginner-friendly (like Flatiron summits and intro to outdoor climbing). Others, like alpine ridge traverses or glacier skills courses, are better for folks with prior hiking or climbing experience. We’ll help you find the right match.

Q: What’s the difference between rock climbing and mountaineering?
A: Rock climbing focuses on short, steep climbs (often single-pitch) using ropes and anchors. Mountaineering blends hiking, snow travel, rope systems, and sometimes climbing — often in alpine environments. You might carry a pack, wear crampons, and start at 2am for a summit. It’s about big terrain and good decisions, not just pulling hard.

Q: What gear do I need for climbing trips?
A: We provide group gear like ropes, anchors, and protection. You’ll need to bring climbing shoes, a harness, helmet, and proper clothing. For alpine and mountaineering trips, we’ll also guide you on boots, crampons, ice axe, and layering systems. Rental options are available for most gear.

Q: How hard are your mountaineering trips?
A: We use a spice scale to rate challenge.

A Flatiron summit might be 🌶️ 1–2

A Mount Shasta summit + crevasse rescue course is 🌶️ 4

Technical ridge traverses or mixed snow/rock routes could be 🌶️ 5

We’ll always be honest about what you’re signing up for — and help you prepare for success.

Q: Do you teach skills on these trips, or just guide?
A: Both. Every trip includes coaching and decision-making support. Some trips are instructional by design (like glacier skills or crevasse rescue), while others mix coaching with the goal of reaching a summit.

Q: What if I’m afraid of heights?
A: Totally normal — and we don’t push. Many people use guided climbs to rebuild confidence in a supportive environment. You can always talk through concerns ahead of time, and our guides are trained to manage exposure and comfort zones.This list reflects what we pack for our guided climbs like Matterhorn Peak and other classic Sierra and Rockies ascents. It’s perfect for beginners getting started with mountaineering, or for experienced climbers looking to streamline their system.