Private Session with Celeste Olds
Want to hike with a little extra support? I’ll meet you at the trailhead.
A lot of outdoor skills make far more sense once you’re actually outside doing them. Things like pacing, layering, navigation, trail etiquette, weather awareness, packing, and decision-making are difficult to fully learn from videos or gear lists alone.
This session puts you on a real trail, learning in real time, with an experienced instructor beside you to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and help you build practical outdoor systems that make hiking feel safer, easier, and more enjoyable. You’ll learn the practical systems and habits that experienced hikers rely on to stay comfortable, prepared, and adaptable outdoors.
These sessions are designed to help you understand how to prepare, adapt, and move through the outdoors in a way that feels approachable and enjoyable.
2026 private sessions are currently in pilot mode and are offered on a limited basis. Join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch to share availability, rates, and next steps.
Not sure if this is the right fit? Contact Celeste, she's happy to answer questions.
What’s included?
- Pre-hike questionnaire to understand your goals, experience level, and what you'd like help with
- Planning call to choose a trail, discuss logistics, and answer questions before the hike
- Personalized gear check and packing recommendations - if applicable
- In-person hiking support tailored to your goals, pace, and learning style
- Hands-on guidance with topics like trip planning, navigation, pacing, gear, trail etiquette, outdoor safety, and hiking systems
- Opportunities to ask questions and learn in real time while on trail
- Follow-up notes, resources, and next steps tailored to your goals and session priorities
Who is your outdoor instructor?
Celeste Olds is a PNW outdoor instructor dedicated to building wilderness skills, confidence, and meaningful connections in nature. Her work is shaped by decades of project management, thousands of miles trekked through alpine terrain locally and abroad, and a lifetime of camping in the Pacific Northwest.
Half-Day Session
Format:
- Up to 4 hours, including travel time from Seattle
- In-Person consultation
Best for:
- Beginner-friendly trails
- Learning core hiking systems and trail habits
- Gear and pacing support
- Building comfort navigating local trails
- People newer to hiking or outdoor planning
Full-Day Session
Format:
- Up to 8 hours, including travel time from Seattle
- In-Person consultation
Best for:
- Getting onto more rural trails (Mt Rainier National Park, Central Cascades)
- Longer hikes or more ambitious trail goals
- Building endurance and trail confidence
- More in-depth navigation, pacing, weather, and planning discussions
- Practicing adapting to changing conditions over the course of a full day outside
Join the waitlist and we’ll be in touch to learn more about your goals, answer questions, and share availability, rates, and next steps.
In Your Session
Every session is a little different depending on your goals and experience level.
Who's Its for
This is for you if:
- You’ve never been on a hike before and want guidance getting started
- You’ve been on trails with friends but feel uncertain planning or navigating one on your own
- You’re not sure how to choose routes, estimate timing, or know what to bring
- You want to experience what hiking feels like with someone experienced nearby before heading out on your own
Common Starting Points
People usually come in with things like:
- “I’ve done a few hikes with friends but I’ve never planned one myself.”
- “I’m not sure how to read a trail map or know if a route matches my ability level.”
- “I want to hike solo eventually, and want to do it once with support nearby first.”
- “I’m not sure what to bring. I don’t want to underprepare or carry way more than I need.”
- “I feel like everyone else already knows how this works…I don’t know what I don’t know.”
What You’ll Leave With
Common takeaways include:
- Hands-on experience planning and navigating a hike from start to finish
- A better understanding of pacing, layering, navigation, trail etiquette, and how to adapt to changing conditions
- A practical understanding of the 10 Essentials and how to scale them for different types of hikes
- Real-world experience using gear, packing efficiently, and preparing for a day on trail
- A clearer sense of what kinds of hikes and outdoor experiences feel enjoyable and realistic for you
- More comfort making decisions outdoors and knowing what to do when things don’t go exactly as planned
Private Sessions FAQ
Nope. This is designed for beginners and outdoor-hesitant folks. We’ll choose a trail that matches your comfort level, goals, and experience.
That’s completely fine. Many beginners start with things they already own. Before the hike, I’ll help you determine what’s essential, what can be improvised, and what’s worth borrowing or renting before buying.
That’s normal. People book these sessions because they want support easing into outdoor spaces. That’s what I’m here for. Let me know how you’re feeling and we’ll build a trip that feels accessible to you.
Yes, up to 4 people can join. Reach out for pricing for groups of 5 or more.
Most people book these as solo sessions so we can tailor the experience closely to them, but friends, couples, or small groups wanting to learn together are absolutely welcome.
Some rain and muddy trails are part of Pacific Northwest hiking. If conditions are unsafe or severe, we’ll reschedule or adjust the plan as needed.
Perfect. These sessions are flexible. Some people come with a long list of questions, while others mostly want company, reassurance, and occasional guidance along the way. We'll tailor the experience to your goals and learning style.
Absolutely. Most sessions naturally include conversations about future trails, gear, pacing, and next steps. If you want more in-depth planning support, you may also want to book an Outdoor Planning Session.
Celeste Olds
Celeste Olds is a PNW outdoor instructor dedicated to building wilderness skills, confidence, and meaningful connections in nature. Her work is shaped by thousands of miles trekked through alpine terrain locally & abroad, a lifetime of camping in the Pacific Northwest and decades of project management.
Years of problem-solving gear failures, unpredictable weather, and backcountry panic attacks have spawned the systems that make being outside safer, more comfortable, and more accessible. Celeste’s approach recognizes that while safety and stewardship are an essential baseline, confidence and comfort outdoors look different for everyone.
She creates supportive environments where people build skills at their own pace and leave with the tools and a grounded sense of capability to get outside.
About SSC
Sequoia Social Club organizes casual, educational gatherings for adults who want to enjoy the outdoors, but don’t know where to start. Like Girl Scouts, but for grown-ups.
Through beginner-friendly hikes, camping trips, and in-city classes, we teach practical outdoor skills in a low-pressure, supportive environment. You’ll learn how to plan trips, use gear, stay safe, and build outdoor confidence through real experience.
Hiking and camping isn’t just for the outdoor extremists. We’re here to help you find a version of the outdoors that fits you.
