Great crew, didn't die, had a blast, and learned a lot. Highly recommend the mentorship programs. read more

I'm giving Kaf adventures 1 star because of a serious safety incident during its Rock Climbing Mentorship Program. During a practice multi-pich climb, the participant assigned as my partner loaded the GRIGRI back while belaying from the top. Had I fallen, it'd have resulted in an unctrolled fall, leading to a serious injury or death. The guide did not verify the belay setup before I began climbing. I was the one who noticed the error when I got to the top. The fact that this setup went unnoticed for the entire pitch raises serious concerns about KAF's partner-check procedures, supervision, and risk management. I enrolled because KAF advertises professional instruction in safety evaluation, rope management, and multi-pitch climbing. After this incident, I no longer trust the program to provide that supervision. I cannot recommend KAF Adventures based on my experience. Even though, I emailed the KAF management about this, they haven't responded in two weeks, demonstrating the lack of care about safety. read more

There are guiding outfits, and then there is Kaf Adventures. I've had the pleasure of sampling many of their offerings - from single day clinics, online courses, a 4 month-long mentorship to multiple private/custom trips, I can wholeheartedly recommend Kaf to anyone. There's a reason why I keep coming back to Kaf guides. If you can dream it, they will help you do it! They are willing to work with you on designing the trip you want, they meet you where you are skill and fitness-wise, they are open to feedback, they are kind, patient and fair. I've been lucky to ice climb, crack climb, learn trad and rock rescue, practice avalanche rescue, and dial in my multipitch skills all with the Kaf crew. Even if you're more than just a beginner, you'll benefit from learning from highly skilled and experienced professionals whose passion for what they do is really evident. Their excitement is infectious, and you'll often find yourself in awe of their technical abilities and movement. Watching them in their element is a gift. They make sound decisions to keep you and themselves safe from the many objective dangers in the wild. They'll celebrate the smallest of wins with you, and offer encouragement and support to keep trying. I've heard that you shop for a guide, not a guide service, and this is really true once you get to know this team. Special mention to Woody who has guided me for 90% of it - about 130 hours to date! His problem-solving skills are so impressive and there is no guide I trust or respect more. And Mick who is the heart and soul of Kaf. Mick will have you smiling all through the online courses which are an excellent way to dip your toe into the world of climbing and mountaineering. I'm so excited for more adventures with Kaf in the years to come. read more

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We had a private course for 6 of us and Ryder was an amazing guide! We took the beginner crevasse rescue course. He was extremely knowledgeable and gave us the confidence we needed to head off to summit Mount rainier!! He was patient with us and so fun! Highly recommend :)! read more

Kaf Adventures - Hiking Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Awesome Mt Hood trip with Gen and the Kaf crew. Well organized from the initial planning meeting, early morning linkup, summit and back down. The trip stepped off right on time, and the climb to the summit went smoothly and was conducted safely. While this mountain is not noted as being one of the more challenging in the Cascades, there are a lot of ways for an inexperienced climber to get into trouble, so if there are any doubts on your skill level, go with Kaf. I really enjoyed the day, the other clients were strong and the guides were all great to be around. Highly recommended. read more

Kaf is a terrific organization. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Kelly remembered all of our names. Carly was a terrific instructor. AIARE certification helped improve my knowledge of avalanche terrain substantially. Plus it is a framework that is applicable to different kinds of endeavors. I feel much better prepared to pursue outdoor adventure! read more

Signed up for Kaf's Rainier Fundraising Summit that included summitting both Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. I recently finished the Mount Baker summit this past weekend. Overall the experiences was great! Woody and Ryder were excellent guides and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire climb. We covered numerous skills including: knot tying, ice axe arrest, being on a rope team, identifying hazards on the mountain, etc. I left the trip with much more confidence and knowledge of mountaineering skills. I'd highly recommend Kaf Adventures for your upcoming trip! read more

You're in good hands with Mick & team! Mick, Joel, & crew love their jobs, and it shines through at all times. They are knowledgeable but also know just the right time to offer some encouragement &/or check in to see how things are going. I enrolled in a back country ski course with KAF, just to try it out and see if I liked it. I appreciated that this was as much a guided tour as a class. Mick and Joel explained their decision making throughout the day. After assessing the avalanche risk, they put together a potential plan, and then changed it as needed based on the conditions that day. If you're thinking of trying the BC ski course-- I highly recommend it. You will get a good taste of the sport without having to invest too much in gear, etc. in a somewhat controlled environment. The ratings on the website are pretty true to form-- it is a full day of hard work, which is totally worth it but will be more fun the more fit you are. I look forward to future trips and learning more from the KAF crew! read more

Been taking courses with Kaf since 2015. I started with zero knowledge. At that point I probably got dragged on a handful of day hikes with other people and didn't know the first thing about being "outdoorsy". Fast forward to 2019 and I've taken my own trips to Patagonia, Iceland, and Cuba to backpack, snowshoe, and rock climb. These lovely guides not only take you out to have a good time, they teach you to be self sufficient. Back in 2015 I used to boulder indoors at the gym. I had zero rope skills, and definitely didn't even know what trad gear was. Now I can rescue you off a cliff face if it comes to it. In 4 short years, I went from zero to hero. ;-) Kaf has given me the best gift, knowledge, skills, and confidence. Big thanks to Mick, Paul, Matt, David, Berndt, Woody, Joel, Erika, Molly, Lin, and the rest of the Kaf family! Love you guys! read more

A VERY late review, but a friend and I rented camping gear from here for a festival at The Gorge Amphitheater. It was close to freezing, and it rained on us one night, but the sleeping bag and tent kept us dry and warm. Staff are extremely friendly and nice too! It was also super easy and convenient to reserve online. If you have any questions, people on the phone are super helpful. Would definitely recommend and would rent from them again for future. UPDATE: used Kaf for a second trip to the Gorge Amphitheatre and it was just as wonderful as the first time! I've been won over as a repeat customer anytime I need camping gear in the Seattle area :) read more

After three seasons of backcountry skiing, it was high time to grow my own understanding of avalanche risk and safety, and not just rely on my ski friends who had AIARE training. I am so glad I chose Kaf Adventures for my AIARE 1 course! Mick and team are fantastic instructors with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. They were well organized, patient, and incredibly supportive of each of the course participants, all with different needs and skill levels. At the same time, they encouraged everyone to step outside their comfort zones and challenge themselves. Kaf's commitment to building community clearly sets them apart. The instructors, and the whole group of participants, were also a joy to hang out with! I haven't laughed that much in a long time! I expected to come away with a solid base of understanding about winter backcountry safety, which I did, but what I hadn't anticipated is how much fun I would have in the process and how welcomed I would feel! Highly, highly recommended! read more

Mt. Hood Skills Course was exactly what we were looking for! 5-to-1 class/teacher ratio was a great size. Ryder was extremely knowledgeable and helpful! Much recommended! read more

Great Company to work with. Had a free weekend pop up very last minute, and was able to coordinate directly with Mick to setup a full day multi-pitch excursion. It was overall a blast, loved the guide Kevin. I came back to Kaf since I had previously took Intro To Sport Leading with Woody. Love the guides and company overall! read more

Mick and the rest of the crew are wonderful. Extremely knowledgeable yet very humble. They keep things fun and enjoyable and emphasize safety (mental and physical). Highly recommend them, great people. read more

Awesome! From my first phone call to our time in the mountains, everyone at Kaf Adventures was professional, friendly, and totally committed to helping me achieve my climbing goals. I cannot say enough about Kaf, and encourage others to try them instead of one of the larger but less personal mountain guiding services based in the Seattle and North Cascades areas. I am an experienced mountaineer, but decided to hire a guide to help me visit several peaks that were too much for my limited skills. From the beginning, the Kaf staff understood and enthusiastically supported my goals. Even when I had to make changes to our original plan, they graciously adjusted their plans accordingly. Climbing mountains involves a lot of intimate time with your climbing partners. A close friend of mine recently hired one of Kaf's competitors, a larger guide service, for a guided trip up Mt. Baker. He came back reporting they had only a mediocre time. Their main guide, he said, seemed bored and uninterested in both the climb and their clients. This is in sharp contrast to my experience with Kaf. My four-day excursion was led by Mick. Mick is a consummate professional who trains other guides, and his experience shows in his vigilant attention to detail in making the climb both safe and enjoyable. Even while leading difficult sections, Mick was calm and relaxed and never condescending. I was the client, but I was also a part of the team and included in key decisions. Mick's quiet confidence enabled me to have a more complete experience of climbing a big mountain. Around the edges and at camp, Mick also was a genuine and engaging campmate. In contrast to the stiffness reported by my friend on his Mt. Baker trip, Mick and I shared stories throughout our trip - about outdoor adventures, life in the city, and the important people in our lives. It was a reminder that the experience of climbing and adventuring is made much richer when we are with good people who are passionate about what they are doing. I should emphasize that, before this trip, I had never met Mick or any of the people at Kaf. I also rarely write reviews of any type. But this trip was so good that I am compelled to write this review. For anyone who is looking for an outdoors guide who is professional and safe, yet also fun and engaging with a personal touch, you should contact Kaf Adventures. read more

I just got back from a 3-day Mountaineering Intermediate course on Mt. Baker, and I couldn't be happier that Kaf Adventures lead the way. Weather was ideal the first 2 days but on summit day the decision was made to stay put as conditions were questionable and miserable. Our 3 guides (Joel, Archer and Todd) were absolutely fantastic - extremely knowledgeable and high-energy and I loved how they infused the trip with their own personalities and experiences. They were constantly assessing and checking in with us to make sure we were all comfortable physically, mentally, spiritually. :) It was a feeling of complete comfort, which was most welcome in an environment I'm naturally a little terrified of. Can't wait for my Rainier climb with Kaf, and to take more courses. I definitely recommend them, and can't say enough good things! read more

Mick and the staff of Kaf Adventures ensure an awesome time outside. They teach valuable safety skills that will allow you to move through the mountains with confidence. read more

My husband and I had an absolutely amazing experience with Kaf Adventures. We took the Mt. Hood Skills Course and then summitted Mt. Hood with the group. The guides (Drew, Joe, and Cam) were fantastic: patient, friendly, kind, encouraging, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. They were so helpful in providing advice and guidance with our equipment, and they always had our safety in mind. It was clear that they were watching all of us climbers carefully to make sure our techniques were acceptable and we were safe and secure. They reminded us to apply sunscreen, eat, drink water, etc. We knew they had our best interests in mind 100% of the time. We couldn't have asked for a better team to lead us in this life-changing adventure. Thank you! read more

Everyone at Kaf Adventures was awesome!! So engaging and a pleasure to climb and spend time with! I wasn't able to summit and my guide, John, kept my head in the game and helped me to feel great about what I was able to accomplish! I can't wait to climb with them again!! read more

I was a bit skeptical over how much I would get out of the backpacking trip since it was only two days and one night, but I was really happy to have signed up. I had hoped to learn enough during the course to be able to go backpacking by myself, and even though the trip was short, my goals were met and I'm confident enough now to be planning my own little wilderness escapade. We had Archer as our instructor and not only was he knowledgeable and instructional, he is also a really cool guy and genuinely loves the outdoors. He acted more like a knowledgeable companion rather than a tour guide. We set our own pace and had the option to change the itinerary if we desired (within reason, of course). I really appreciated this as it made the experience that much more my own, as opposed to just being there for the ride. Highly recommend Kaf Adventures. Would definitely take their mountaineering course too if I ever want to get into that. read more

Absolutely great, very personal learning experience. I took the beginner mountaineering course and they really teach you alot for a super affordable price. Almost feel like I stole from them lol. They awnsered all my questions and have a great team based atmosphere. Differently sticking with these guys :) read more

I rented a shade tent for a picnic. When I went to pick it up the owner or another employee had taken it! The guys were super helpful and located another one for me. I was relieved and happy they found a solution. One suggestion, call in advance to confirm your reservation and assure your items are available for pick up! read more

I got climbing certified by Joel at Kaf adventures - He was courteous, very informative to talk to as a beginner, and super helpful with his tips. Looking forward to taking classes with Kaf when the weather gets nicer and I have some extra spare time to get outdoors when I'm not on kid duty. read more

Incredible. Worth every penny and more. Our leader/teacher was Mick. What a great guy. During our two-day safety class, we learned and practiced SO MUCH. I feel much more confident as a safe climber and one who can actually participate in a climbing rescue now. Mick would also pepper us with intermittent "tech tips!" Fun! Thanks Again Mick. read more

Worked with KAF to rent some outdoor gear while I was visiting the Seattle area for work. They are great! My schedule didn't allow me to get outfitted during normal hours but Mick worked with me to get what I needed! We were supposed to take their intro ice climbing course but was cancelled due to High Avalanche conditions so can't comment on the course but Dave was quick to call us and let us know the status. However, they were very smooth and very cool to refund me my money Thanks Joel!!! Will try to work with them again the next time I'm in the Seattle Area! Sad I couldn't ice climb but KAF's customer service was great! read more

Woody and Kevin provided excellent guidance on my 127 mile backpacking trip in Northern Washington. Not only by carrying the extra weight, but also by helping me get through downed trees, forcing creeks/rivers, overgrown vegetation on the trail. Their emotional support and gentle coaxing when it got tough, was appreciated. This was the hardest trek I've done and I couldn't have completed it without them. I hope to do another section next year with them. I highly recommend Kaf not only because of Kevin and Woody but also Erika and John. Erika was so accommodating to my needs and helped craft an itinerary that allowed me to complete a goal. read more

Kaf Adventures was terrific to work with in planning a private trip for my son to climb Mt. Hood in August 2020. They are very professional and detailed, and they made the whole process very smooth. A special thank you to climbing guide, Kevin Dombrock, for his guidance and expertise on this trip. read more

Over the weekend I took my first course with Kaf. The class, rock rescue, was super informative and a must take class for all multi-pitch climbers. Our instructor, Kevin, was great. Super knowledgeable, great teacher and very good at managing the different skill levels of students. Highly recommend their courses. read more

Kaf Adventures is fantastic. I could not have asked for a better experience with my Intermediate Mountaineering class I took with Kaf. The instructors were knowledgeable, excellent teachers, supportive, and fun. I felt like I was in excellent hands. And I actually got the chance to use my new skills on our climb of Mount Baker, as I took a short fall and self-arrested! I had a great time climbing Mount Baker and improving my mountaineering skills with Kaf. Highly recommended. read more

I would not recommend anyone to climb with this organization. They are unprofessional and not safe. I had not one, but two poor experiences on both Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. I signed-up to do a charity climb as I typically do one big climb a year - Peru, Himalayas, Greenland, Switzerland, etc. but this was my first time with KAF and I highly discourage anyone from using them. I do not regret the trip as it was for a charity, but I regret it was with KAF. To summarize both of my experiences with them, I took their 101 course and they told us we MUST be able to climb 1000ft with 45lbs to 55lbs within an 1 hour. However, this was not the actual standard. In two separate instances we had the exact same person who did not meet the fitness expectations and in one case we did not get to summit because of this person and in the second instance she caused us to only get 30 minutes of sleep and we had to hike for 19 hours straight. KAF knew this individual could not summit Mount Baker. Just getting to base camp this person was averaging 500 ft per an hour. KAF then allowed her to attempt summit and it took us 5 hours to go 2000ft. She did not meet the standard rules off the rope and why KAF let her attempt on the rope was beside me. I called the company and told them about the instance and so did another climber. The owner said this individual would not be allowed to summit Rainier, however they lied, Joel was the person I spoke with and exchanged emails. Come Rainier day, she was even slower and they allowed her to attempt summit. It took us an additional 6 hours to get to base camp and thus our guides did not get to sleep and we only got 30 minutes. I thought KAF would not let her to attempt summit, but they allowed her. We had to wait an additional 30 minutes for her to get on the rope as she was not ready when everyone else was ready and she was just generally slow and kept falling. She barely made it 500 ft and then we had to turn back. It added about 3 hours to the trip with changing all the rope teams, getting her down, etc and caused us to meet warm snow which became a high risk for falling in a crevasse and one of the snow bridges became unsafe and we had to reroute. This all could have been avoided if they had actually stuck to the standards they outlined. Although we made summit, one of the guides kept literally falling asleep from exhaustion and the other one we had to stop to let nap as he got zero sleep. The guides (2) said they have never taken so long to get to base camp and were surprised that the owners let her attempt. Again this all could have been avoided. KAF knew a team member was nowhere close to meeting the fitness rules outlined and thus 12 other people had to suffer. I am grateful for the charity and that our guides got us down safely, but it was very unfortunate experience. I have had to turn around on climbs because team members have had altitude sickness, a broken ankle, etc. and I have done trips where someone may be a bit slower, but not because someone was clearly unfit and then proved it in the first hour on 2 separate occasions that they did not meet the standards outlined by the company. I was disappointed when it happened on Baker, but when KAF allowed it to happen again after they said she would not be allowed to come, I thought I should share my experience. I have climbed with a lot of companies in a lot of different countries, but this company only cared about money. Every person I have spoken to in the climbing community said they have never heard of a company allowing someone to summit in this bad of shape. read more

Had a blast climbing on Mount Erie this past weekend! Kevin was great -- a skilled guide with a calm, positive voice that helped us get comfortable, trust the equipment, and reach higher. Thanks for a great climb! read more

Went on a 2 day custom climb with Kevin. I was late both days and super low energy because of some work stuff. Kevin smiled the whole time and was so sweet and accommodating. With Kevin I got a lot of amazing info, a great climbing experience AND a friend. read more

My partner Ross Eckert and I took the Intro to Mountaineering Course on Mt. Shuksan in early September. Archer and Amber were such amazing instructors as well as generally awesome people. The weather was just a little less than ideal (pretty much constantly wet and cloudy) but their attitude and advice made the experience even that much more meaningful. They thoroughly taught us the skills we set out to learn and happily answered all of our questions. The insight they provided has left a lasting mark and we can't wait to continue this journey. We hope to definitely keep in touch and couldn't recommend Kaf Adventures enough!! read more

I've had three experiences this spring/summer with Kaf, each one has been incredible. I signed up for a fundraiser climb through AEX who partners with Kaf Adventures for mountaineering training and trips. My first training was at their office, Intro to Mountaineering, where they provided us with training guides and walked us through all the basics of mountaineering fundamentals. My next second training was an Intro to Mountaineering 3 day trip at Mt Baker. Our group included 5 clients, 3 instructors (Paul, Matt and Archer) and 1 Kaf intern (Austin). The Kaf team members were absolutely delightful people - very knowledgeable, approachable, patient and inspiring. They did an excellent job preparing us for the mountain as well as keeping us safe & in high spirits despite some pretty gnarly weather that rolled through! Our summit attempt was cancelled due to a storm that hit Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, but they kept us busy with training the entire time (not to mention very well fed!) The third training was a 3 night trip up Mt Rainier via Emmons Glacier. Paul, Archer and Austin again led our group (3 clients) up, up and to the summit! They were very attentive to everyone's condition the entire time - climbing Rainier was physically & mentally exhausting, and they knew when to encourage us to press on & hold back when needed. I definitely plan to climb more mountains in the NW and continue my training through Kaf Adventures. Absolutely recommend them to anyone who's excited to learn how to handle themselves up high. read more

I rented mountaineering gear from Kaf for my Mt Baker climb last weekend. They were awesome! Even though I wasn't going on this trip with Kaf but with another guide company that my cousin had already arranged for us. Elise was so helpful and fitted me to the proper size boots, helmet, harness, etc. When she found out this was my first climb, she went above and beyond encouraging me and answering random questions I had. She told me to remember her voice in my head up there on the mountain that I "can totally do this!" and that meant so much to me! I want to give a huge shout out to Kaf Adventures! Everything I rented including boots, crampons, gaiters, trekking poles, harness, helmet and ice axe was very high quality and in terrific condition. The rates were reasonable and they only charged for the days being used. So I picked up the gear on Thursday, my climb was Friday/Saturday and then I returned the gear on Monday and was only charged for Friday/Saturday. Returning the gear was super quick and hassle free. I will always and only ever rent gear from Kaf in the future! And I'd love to book a trip with them in the future as well! read more

Just took an intermediate rock climbing course. What a fantastic class. Our instructor was Joel and we started off covering all the different types of gear, static vs dynamic force, etc. before going into how to correctly and safely use it. There were only 3 of us and with an 8 hour day we got lots of practice in. Joel was super patient and adapted the class to our skill level and the questions we had. I walked away feeling like I could do this on my own safely. Cannot recommend Kaf enough, if you're thinking of transitioning to outdoor climbing, call them up. read more

What a great company! I had the pleasure of going on a climb with kaf and learning so much! There guides are super helpful and very nice. The trip we went on to mt. Baker was A great trip and we had a great group of people to climb with. I will definitely be going back to kaf for future learning experiences read more