North Cascades Alpine Climbing - Private
Build your own Washington climbing or skills program
- The North Cascades offer unparalleled alpine climbing opportunities due to their rugged terrain and vast network of glaciers, which provide both challenging routes and stunning views.
- Our private programs are for just you and your team, so we move with the speed of your team.
- Venues - We can guide most venues in the North Cascades, so reach out if you've got a venue in mind that you don't see on our list.
- North Cascades National Park
- Mt Baker
- Mt Shuksan
- Forbidden Peak
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- 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 climbing
- 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.
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
- Meals
- Transportation
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
North Cascades Alpine Climbing Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (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:
Know Before you go
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.
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Build your own Washington climbing or skills program
- The North Cascades offer unparalleled alpine climbing opportunities due to their rugged terrain and vast network of glaciers, which provide both challenging routes and stunning views.
- Our private programs are for just you and your team, so we move with the speed of your team.
- Venues - We can guide most venues in the North Cascades, so reach out if you've got a venue in mind that you don't see on our list.
- North Cascades National Park
- Mt Baker
- Mt Shuksan
- Forbidden Peak
We'll build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your trip:
- 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 climbing
- 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.
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
- Meals
- Transportation
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
North Cascades Alpine Climbing Gear List
- Mountaineering Gear (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:
Epic Reviews From Adventurers
the blackbird difference
We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!