North Cascades Private Alpine Climbing

The North Cascades are known as the American Alps and live up to the name. Steep rock, hanging glaciers and beautiful meadows of heather are a few of the many highlights of this incredible National Park. This private alpine climbing program allows you pick the routes and time frame that is right for you and your team.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

Routes: We can guide any route in the North Cascades National Park but we need to make sure you're up to the commitment grade of the route with physical fitness and technical skills. If this is your first time climbing with us, we'll need to review your experience and potentially do a less committing route first.

    Some of our favorite offerings are:
  • Shuksan Fisher Chimneys

  • Shuksan North Face

  • Forbidden West Ridge

  • Forbidden North Ridge

  • Forbidden NW Face/NW Rib

  • Torment SW Face

  • Eldorado East Ridge

  • Mount Baker North Ridge

  • Mount Baker Coleman Deming

  • Mount Baker Easton Glacier

  • Mount Baker Coleman Headwall
We'll work with you to create a custom itinerary for your trip.
Generally, the routes of the North Cascades are for experienced climbers who move well on 3rd class rock terrain, steep, firm snow and are accustomed to challenge of climbing rugged terrain with a full pack. We do have a few options for climbers with excellent fitness that are looking to gain experience in alpine terrain.

  • AMGA Trained Guide
  • Climbing Gear: Ropes, Harness
  • Camping Gear: Tents, Stoves, Fuel
  • Group Safety Gear: Guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Leave No Trace Materials: wag bag

Not included: ice axes, crampons -

Mountaineering Gear

  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks

  • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELIntermediate Advanced Expert
    ELEVATION3,000-11,000'
    LocationNorth Cascades

    Price $470.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 1-7 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
    We'll work with you to create a custom itinerary for your trip.

    Routes: We can guide any route in the North Cascades National Park but we need to make sure you're up to the commitment grade of the route with physical fitness and technical skills. If this is your first time climbing with us, we'll need to review your experience and potentially do a less committing route first.

      Some of our favorite offerings are:
    • Shuksan Fisher Chimneys

    • Shuksan North Face

    • Forbidden West Ridge

    • Forbidden North Ridge

    • Forbidden NW Face/NW Rib

    • Torment SW Face

    • Eldorado East Ridge

    • Mount Baker North Ridge

    • Mount Baker Coleman Deming

    • Mount Baker Easton Glacier

    • Mount Baker Coleman Headwall
    We'll work with you to create a custom itinerary for your trip.
    Generally, the routes of the North Cascades are for experienced climbers who move well on 3rd class rock terrain, steep, firm snow and are accustomed to challenge of climbing rugged terrain with a full pack. We do have a few options for climbers with excellent fitness that are looking to gain experience in alpine terrain.

    • AMGA Trained Guide
    • Climbing Gear: Ropes, Harness
    • Camping Gear: Tents, Stoves, Fuel
    • Group Safety Gear: Guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
    • Leave No Trace Materials: wag bag

    Not included: ice axes, crampons -

    Mountaineering Gear

    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    Overnight Gear
    • Headlamp
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Sleeping Pad
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
  • 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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