About the Fisher Chimneys Route:

• Push Your Limits - Athletes with minimal mountaineering experience and excellent fitness will love this challenging route. 4th and low 5th class rock, snow, and glacier travel characterize this route. None of the movement is technically difficult, but it offers challenges in multiple disciplines of climbing. There can often a bit of easy ice climbing later in the season!


• The Route - The Fisher Chimneys has it all. Complex glacier travel, moderate and exposed rock climbing and often a bit of easy ice climbing later in the season!


• Summit Attempt - Climbing on summit day jumps right into steep glacier travel as we gain the Upper Curtis Glacier and tackle Hell's Highway, a steep section of snow and ice that connects the Curtis to the Sulphide Glacier. Once on the Sulphide, we traverse toward the summit pyramid of Mount Shuksan and climb 4th class or low 5th class rock to the top.


• Descent - After taking a few moments on the summit, it’s time to go down! From the top, rappelling and downclimbing gets us back to the Sulphide Glacier, where we navigate back to the Upper Curtis and return to camp. Our final day of the climb is downclimbing the Fisher Chimneys and a pleasant hike back to Artist Point.


• Confirmed Wilderness Reservations - Overnight trips in the North Cascades National Park require wilderness permits. We have reserved a number of prime dates for season, which are guaranteed:


• June 26-28, 2024
• July 12-14, 2024
• August 2-4, 2024
• August 12-15, 2024
• August 23-25, 2024
• August 31-September 2, 2024

* Non-Reserved Wilderness Dates mean that we do not currently have these dates reserved with wilderness permits. We can usually get reservations for these dates and there are other camping options if we are unable to obtain a wilderness camping permit.

Here's the schedule for your trip:

• Day 1 - Gear Check and Approach to Winnies Slide - Gear Check: Meet early for a gear check in Glacier, WA. 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 to pack, and choose how much food and water to bring.
  
  Approach to Winnies Slide Camp: This is some of the most interesting and engaging climbing as summit day! After a beautiful hike through fir trees and alpine meadows, we walk past Lake Ann and get into the engaging terrain of the Fisher Chimneys.
  
  The chimneys are huge gulleys, with breathtaking exposure overlooking the Curtis Glacier. The climbing is fun 4th class terrain with packs filled with camping gear, so it can feel strenuous if you are unaccustomed to this type of terrain. The approach to camp is a long day that often takes 6-8 hours.


• Day 2 -Summit Attempt - We rise early and start with a moderate pitch or two of snow or ice to gain the Upper Curtis glacier. From here, we stretch our ropes to a glacier interval and traverse towards Hell’s Highway, which is a steep steep of snow that brings us to the Sulphide Glacier.
  
  Once on the Sulphide, we’ll navigate crevasses toward the summit pyramid where we’ll remove crampons and get onto the 4th class rock that leads to the summit. The summit is a small block with 360 degree views of Baker and the North Cascades. From the top, we downclimb and/or rappel back to the glacier and make our way back to camp where we’ll spend the night.


• Day 3 - Break Down Camp & Return to Trailhead - While not quite as early as Day 2, our final day will be an early start to pack up camp, descend the Fisher Chimneys and hike back up to the trailhead. This usually takes around 5 hours.

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

• Intermediate Alpine Climbing Experience - Including basic rope skills, experience with belaying, rappelling and technical climbing on 4th and 5th class rock. Depending on the time of year, crampon and ice axe techniques may be required. Looking to build these skills? Join us for an Intro to Mountaineering course!


• Excellent fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a sufferfest!

Here's what's included with your trip:

• Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
• Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Permit
• Ropes & Gear
• SlingFin 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

• Meals
• Transportation
• Personal Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
• Guide Gratuities

North Cascades Alpine Climbing Gear List

• Avalanche & Mountaineering Gear (beacon, shovel, probe, ice ax, crampon, harness) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from Blackbird


• Other Mountaineering Gear (sleeping bag, pad, etc.) - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from:
  • Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham