Private Session with Celeste Olds
Not sure where to go, what to pack, or how to turn “wanting to get outside” into a realistic plan? This 1:1 session is designed to help you build a beginner-friendly outdoor plan that fits your goals, comfort level, budget, and experience.
Together, we’ll work through the decisions that tend to overwhelm people when they’re getting started. Things like choosing a trail or campground, understanding logistics and common pitfalls, building out your gear setup, or figuring out what kind of outdoor experience is actually enjoyable to you.
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-session questionnaire & preparation
- 60-minute virtual or in-person session
- Personalized resources, notes and recommendations tailored to your goals and 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.
In Your Session
Most sessions focus on 1–2 priorities in depth so you leave with clarity and a realistic next step.
Who's Its For
This is for you if:
- You want to hike or camp but don’t know where to start
- You feel overwhelmed by gear, planning, or conflicting advice online
- You keep saying “I should go outside” but haven’t made a plan yet
- You want help turning ideas into something realistic and doable
- You’d feel better having someone help you think through the details before you go
Common Starting Points
People usually come in with things like:
- “I want to hike, but I don’t know which trails are actually good for beginners.”
- “I’ve been looking at gear and now I’m more confused than when I started.”
- “I want to go camping, but I’m not sure what that even looks like in practice.”
- “I keep overthinking it and never actually go.”
What You’ll Leave With
Common takeaways include:
- A realistic hiking or camping plan that you are ready to execute
- Beginner-friendly trail, campground, or trip recommendations that match your comfort level
- A simplified gear plan including what you need, what you don’t, and what can be rented
- A better understanding of what to look out for while you plan and during your trip. Things like trail or campsite logistics, weather conditions, safety and pacing.
- A clearer sense of how to prepare for your next trip
Private Sessions FAQ
Absolutely. Many people arrive with a general goal ("I want to start hiking" or "I want to try camping") but aren't sure what questions to ask yet. We'll use the questionnaire and session time to identify priorities and build a plan from there.
No. This is for anyone who needs help working through trip planning, gear decisions, logistics, or specific outdoor goals. If you’re looking for guidance doing technical climbs or traversing backcountry, I humbly point you towards The Mountaineers.
Don’t we all! Most sessions focus on 1-2 priorities in depth so you leave with clear next steps rather than a long list of unfinished ideas. If you're working through a larger project or set of goals, we can discuss follow-up sessions.
Sometimes, yes. But the goal isn't just to hand you a destination. It's to help you understand how to make outdoor decisions that fit your goals, comfort level, budget, and experience so you can continue planning adventures on your own.
I suggest you start with one, but you can book as many as you'd like. Some people only need a single planning session, while others use multiple sessions as they build skills, gain experience, or work toward larger outdoor goals.
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.
