Mt Baker Summit Climb - Private

A Private guided option for a Mt Baker summit climb that is custom built for your team. This is our most popular Baker trip on the most glaciated volcano in the Cascades & includes mountaineering skills training. We choose from Coleman-Deming, Squak, Easton, and North Ridge routes. Available as a 1, 2, or 3 Day program.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

Build your own Mt Baker summit climb or skills program
We can put together a full on expedition skills seminar or create a single push climb for your and your partners. Baker has a huge variety of routes and we're excited to share them with you!

  • Our private programs are for just you and your team, so we move with the speed of your team.
  • Ascent and descent options include: Coleman-Deming, Squak, Easton, and North Ridge routes.

If you choose a 1 Day Summit Climb of Mt Baker, please note that this is a massive undertaking. We'll climb 7,000 vertical feet in a continuous push to get up and back to the trailhead without camping or taking breaks longer than 15 minutes, with an exception for a longer stop on the summit.

Not looking for a private program? Check out our open enrollment Mt Baker Summit Climb

We're happy to build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip! Otherwise, here are some typical itineraries depending on the length of your climb.

Here's the schedule for a 3 DAY CLIMB: (Intermediate Level)

  • Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to Camp - 8:00 am meetup with your guide in town. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day. Your guide will discuss the route up to camp and we'll make any final adjustments before we caravan to the trailhead. The rest of the day will be spent hiking to camp and learning about camp craft.

  • 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 Gear
    • Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and
    • Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
    • Crampon Techniques
    • Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
    • Descending techniques for mountaineering
    • Basics of rope team 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. We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.

Here's the schedule for a 2 DAY CLIMB: (Advanced Level)

  • Day 1 - Tour to Camp & Mountaineering Skills Review - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day then tour to and set up camp. 12:00pm Mountaineering skills review. 5:00pm Dinner and bed.

  • Day 2 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am early alpine start with a quick breakfast. 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 We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags and descend to the trailhead.

Here's the schedule for a 1 DAY CLIMB: (Expert Level)

  • 3:00-4:00am - Early Alpine Start - Meet up with your guide at the trailhead for a gear check and review of the plan for the day.

  • 12:00-3:00pm - Summit Attempt - We'll make a push for the summit, stopping only to refuel, rehydrate and adjust layers on our way. We will go as long as stamina and conditions allow.

  • 2:00-4:00pm - Descent - Hard work and determination are handsomely rewarded as we enjoy the views and descend 7,000'+ feet back down to the trailhead!

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for a 2 or 3 Day Climb:

  • 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 are the skills and fitness you'll need for a 1 Day Climb:

  • Intermediate Mountaineering Experience - Including ice ax, crampon, and basic rope skills. Build those skills ahead of the mission with our Intro to Mountaineering Skills

  • 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
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Personal Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Washington Alpine Climbing Gear List


Know Before you go

SKILL LEVELIntermediate
Advanced
Expert
ELEVATION3,600-10,781'
LocationMt Baker

Price/Person $1,250.00
Private Programs
Duration: 1-3 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 build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip!

Build your own Mt Baker summit climb or skills program
We can put together a full on expedition skills seminar or create a single push climb for your and your partners. Baker has a huge variety of routes and we're excited to share them with you!

  • Our private programs are for just you and your team, so we move with the speed of your team.
  • Ascent and descent options include: Coleman-Deming, Squak, Easton, and North Ridge routes.

If you choose a 1 Day Summit Climb of Mt Baker, please note that this is a massive undertaking. We'll climb 7,000 vertical feet in a continuous push to get up and back to the trailhead without camping or taking breaks longer than 15 minutes, with an exception for a longer stop on the summit.

Not looking for a private program? Check out our open enrollment Mt Baker Summit Climb

We're happy to build a custom itinerary for your group based on your objectives, skills, and preferred length of trip! Otherwise, here are some typical itineraries depending on the length of your climb.

Here's the schedule for a 3 DAY CLIMB: (Intermediate Level)

  • Day 1 - Arrival & Tour to Camp - 8:00 am meetup with your guide in town. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day. Your guide will discuss the route up to camp and we'll make any final adjustments before we caravan to the trailhead. The rest of the day will be spent hiking to camp and learning about camp craft.

  • 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 Gear
    • Ice Axe Techniques including Self Arrest and
    • Team Arrest (for Glacier Travel)
    • Crampon Techniques
    • Mountaineering efficiency including the Rest Step
    • Descending techniques for mountaineering
    • Basics of rope team 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. We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags, and descend to the trailhead.

Here's the schedule for a 2 DAY CLIMB: (Advanced Level)

  • Day 1 - Tour to Camp & Mountaineering Skills Review - 8:00am meetup with your guide at the trailhead. We'll do a quick gear check and review the plan for the day then tour to and set up camp. 12:00pm Mountaineering skills review. 5:00pm Dinner and bed.

  • Day 2 -Summit Attempt 3:00-5:00am early alpine start with a quick breakfast. 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 We’ll break down camp, pack up our bags and descend to the trailhead.

Here's the schedule for a 1 DAY CLIMB: (Expert Level)

  • 3:00-4:00am - Early Alpine Start - Meet up with your guide at the trailhead for a gear check and review of the plan for the day.

  • 12:00-3:00pm - Summit Attempt - We'll make a push for the summit, stopping only to refuel, rehydrate and adjust layers on our way. We will go as long as stamina and conditions allow.

  • 2:00-4:00pm - Descent - Hard work and determination are handsomely rewarded as we enjoy the views and descend 7,000'+ feet back down to the trailhead!

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for a 2 or 3 Day Climb:

  • 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 are the skills and fitness you'll need for a 1 Day Climb:

  • Intermediate Mountaineering Experience - Including ice ax, crampon, and basic rope skills. Build those skills ahead of the mission with our Intro to Mountaineering Skills

  • 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
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Personal Mountaineering Gear - ice axe, crampons, climbing harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Washington Alpine Climbing Gear List

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Epic Reviews From Adventurers

12 reviews
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Literally the best guide I’ve come across!

    Zeb at Blackbird Mountain Guides is literally the best guide I've come across. I've worked with Zeb twice now including the most recent trip up Mt. Baker with my wife. Zeb provides excellent knowledge, route finding, and pace. Most importantly, his great attitude and patience really made the trip, especially for relative climbing novices like us. Put simply, Zeb is the best. I trust him and will definitely work with Blackbird Mountain Guides again!

    A B.
    Flag of United States
    Mt Baker Summit Climb 3 Day
  • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Plan to climb with Blackbird again!

    Zeb was great! Great planning; flexible; affordable; and customized the trip for me. Also was fun to climb with. Plan to climb with Blackbird again!

    Will D.
    Flag of United States
    Mt Baker Summit Climb 1 Day
  • 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
    Much better than expected.

    BlackBird guides were professional. I highly recommend them.

    Justin
    Mt Baker Summit Climb 1 Day
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