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.
What is a private session?
There’s no shortage of outdoor information out there, but figuring out what actually makes sense for you can be the harder part.
These sessions are designed to help turn all that information into something practical, realistic, and approachable, whether that means choosing gear without overspending, planning your first trip, or learning outdoor systems step by step with support nearby.
Private sessions work best for people who want personalized guidance building outdoor skills and experiences that fit their goals and comfort level.
How many sessions can I book?
Most sessions focus on 1–2 priorities of your choosing so we can go deep enough to create a clear, actionable next step. If you’re working through a bigger set of goals, we can map out future steps or additional sessions as needed.
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
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.
Yes, you’ll need to bring your own hiking clothing, footwear, water, snacks, and basic gear. Don’t worry if you’re unsure what that means yet. I’ll help you figure out what you actually need beforehand.
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.
Usually, yes. Many Washington trailheads require a Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass. I’ll let you know what’s needed for the specific hike we choose, but you’re responsible for purchasing your own permits/passes.
Most sessions focus on beginner-friendly day hikes in the greater Seattle area or central Cascades. We can tailor the experience around things like pacing, outdoor confidence, nature observation/photography, or simply getting comfortable on trail.
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.
Not unless you want it to be. Most people start with low-to-moderate hikes focused more on learning the basics before pushing their limits.
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.
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.
