Mt Baker Summit & Skills Seminar 4 Day

Mt Baker is the perfect place to build big mountain climbing skills. Massive relief, expansive glaciers, and moderate to steep snow slopes make for an excellent training ground and offer incredible climbing. You'll learn skills that will give you confidence on any big mountain climb, from Denali to Mt Everest.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:

  • Push Your Limits -The Mt Baker Summit & Skill Expedition encompasses the skills you need to tackle big mountain objectives the world over!

  • Route Options Include - Coleman-Deming and Easton / Squawk Glacier Routes.

  • Mountaineering Skills Training - Including Camp Craft, Movement and efficiency, Ice Axe Self Arrest and Team arrest, Rope Team Travel, Snow and Ice Anchors, Crevasse Rescue, Fixed Line Travel

  • Summit Attempt - At 10,781’ Mt Baker (aka Kulshan) is an incredible big mountain climbing experience and a great way to put the skills we've covered to use. The skills learned here are the perfect foundation for any big mountain climb, from Denali to Mount Everest.

Here's the schedule for your trip:

  • Day 1 - Arrival & Travel to Camp - Meet in Glacier, WA at 8AM. Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring. Approach to Hogsback or Coleman Glacier Camp and learn camp craft and knots!

  • Day 2 - Mountaineering Skills Training - We'll get an early start on the day, having breakfast with hot coffee or tea, and prepare any food for the day before gearing up and heading out. In this course we'll cover:
    • Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
    • Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
    • Rope Team Travel
    • Snow and Ice Anchors
    • Crevasse Rescue
    • Fixed Line Travel

    In the evening, we'll prepare an early dinner and head to bed
  • Day 3 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am quick breakfast followed by an early alpine start. Your guides will set the start time based on warming for the day and the weather forecast. Prepare for a long day, where we gaining over 4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route back down to camp.

  • Day 4 -Additional Skills, Breakdown Camp & Return to Trailhead We'll cover any additional skills that need fine tuning, then break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time on advanced skills

  • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.

  • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes & Gear
  • Tent
  • Stove & Fuel
  • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Washington Alpine Climbing Gear List


Know Before you go

SKILL LEVELIntermediate Advanced
ELEVATION3,500-11,000'
LocationMt Baker

Price $2,790.00
Private Programs
Duration: 4 Days
View Full Itinerary
Private Programs

Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

PRIVATE PROGRAMS

Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

Contact us
Full Itinerary

Day 1 

Meet in Glacier, WA at 8AM. Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring. 

Approach to Hogsback or Coleman Glacier Camp and learn camp craft and knots!

Day 2

Skills Day! We will cover:

  • Movement and efficiency
  • Ice axe self arrest and team arrest
  • Rope team travel
  • Snow and ice anchors
  • Crevasse rescue
  • Fixed line travel

Day 3

Alpine start and attempt to summit Mt. Baker!

Day 4

Cover any additional skills. Break down camp and return home.

We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:

  • Push Your Limits -The Mt Baker Summit & Skill Expedition encompasses the skills you need to tackle big mountain objectives the world over!

  • Route Options Include - Coleman-Deming and Easton / Squawk Glacier Routes.

  • Mountaineering Skills Training - Including Camp Craft, Movement and efficiency, Ice Axe Self Arrest and Team arrest, Rope Team Travel, Snow and Ice Anchors, Crevasse Rescue, Fixed Line Travel

  • Summit Attempt - At 10,781’ Mt Baker (aka Kulshan) is an incredible big mountain climbing experience and a great way to put the skills we've covered to use. The skills learned here are the perfect foundation for any big mountain climb, from Denali to Mount Everest.

Here's the schedule for your trip:

  • Day 1 - Arrival & Travel to Camp - Meet in Glacier, WA at 8AM. Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring. Approach to Hogsback or Coleman Glacier Camp and learn camp craft and knots!

  • Day 2 - Mountaineering Skills Training - We'll get an early start on the day, having breakfast with hot coffee or tea, and prepare any food for the day before gearing up and heading out. In this course we'll cover:
    • Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
    • Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
    • Rope Team Travel
    • Snow and Ice Anchors
    • Crevasse Rescue
    • Fixed Line Travel

    In the evening, we'll prepare an early dinner and head to bed
  • Day 3 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am quick breakfast followed by an early alpine start. Your guides will set the start time based on warming for the day and the weather forecast. Prepare for a long day, where we gaining over 4,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes. Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route back down to camp.

  • Day 4 -Additional Skills, Breakdown Camp & Return to Trailhead We'll cover any additional skills that need fine tuning, then break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time on advanced skills

  • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.

  • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes & Gear
  • Tent
  • Stove & Fuel
  • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Washington Alpine Climbing Gear List

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Participants:

Epic Reviews From Adventurers

11 reviews
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Coudn't have imagined a better Rainier Summit!

    Blackbird Guides is the best! I've been using their services for about 3 years and every adventure has been absolutely incredible. Each of the guides are full of knowledge and incredibly good at passing along their years of expertise. I just summited Rainier with Brandon and Andrew and I couldn't have imagined a better experience all around. I refer everyone I know to Blackbird.

    April H.
    Flag of United States
    Verified Buyer
    Mt Rainier Summit & Skills Expedition 5 Day
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Hit 3 Cascade summits, truly outstanding guiding!

    We did a five day trip. Hit three summits. Truly outstanding guiding by Zeb and Aaron. Their knowledge of the mountains is impressive. They knew how to modify the trip on the fly based on skill level. Pushed the right amount to get us there but still made it casual and fun. I rock climb but this was my first alpine climbing and I’d recommend Blackbird to any first timers.

    Anthony V.
    Flag of United States
    Forbidden Peak North Ridge
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Baker North Ridge was amazing!

    Did a 3 day trip with Blackbird on Baker North Ridge. Was an amazing experience. Our guide, Arthur, was knowledge, and willing to teach us. Would be happy to book another trip with them again.

    David S.
    Flag of United States
    Verified Buyer
    Mt Baker North Ridge
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic climb & outstanding guide company!

    A Fantastic Climb! Blackbird Mountain Guides is outstanding guide company. I had the opportunity to climb with Zeb Blais where we summited (along with two others) Forbidden Peak in the North Cascade mountain range in Washington. It was a challenging climb but well worth it. Zeb is a professional. His knowledge and calm demeanor made for a rewarding and memorable experience. One of things I like best about Blackbird is the communication. Zeb emphasized safety, training and having fun. If you're looking for a solid guide company, look no further. I can't recommend Zeb and Blackbird highly enough.

    Jay R.
    Flag of United States
    Forbidden Peak North Ridge
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