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OVERVIEW
The emphasis of this course will be learning basic ice climbing on glaciers and crevasse rescue skills. The instruction is designed for climbers seeking to gain experience in a glaciated environment.
Crevasse Rescue and Intro to Ice Climbing • 2 Day Course
Mount Baker offers superb access to glacier ice within a few hour hike from the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead. Our course covers the basic fundamentals of ice climbing and crevasse rescue, including the use of ice axe, crampons, and crevasse rescue equipment needed to travel safely on glaciated mountains. The course is designed for climbers seeking to gain independence in a glaciated environment such as Mount Baker and Mount Rainier.
Crevasse Rescue School Curriculum
- Ice Climbing & Crevasse Rescue Curriculum
- Movement on ice
- Ice axe techniques
- Crampon usage and techniques
- Introduction to snow & ice anchors
- Basic climbing knots & hitches
- Crevasse rescue
Course Highlights
- Learn basic ice climbing skills on Mount Baker’s Coleman Glacier.
- Develop advanced glacier mountaineering skills including anchors and crevasse rescue.
- Enjoy a Northwest Alpine Guides adventure training on glaciers.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 • Ice Climbing Instruction
Day 2 • Crevasse Rescue Instruction
4 to 1 Climber to Guide Ratio
We lead the Crevasse Rescue Course at a 4 to 1 climber to guide ratio ensuring that you receive personal attention and hands-on instruction throughout the course.
Northwest Alpine Guides holds a Special Use Permit and is an authorized outfitter guide within Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Mt. Baker Ranger District
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).”
ITINERARY
Course begins and ends in Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
Plan to arrive the day before the course begins.
Day 1 • Hike to Camp • Ice Climbing Instruction
Meet in Sedro Woolley, WA.
Northwest Alpine Guides will provide you with a detailed PreClimb departure book upon registration including personal gear list, meeting location and driving directions.
Our alpine guides will meet you for team introductions, gear check, and group gear distribution. The drive to Heliotrope Ridge trailhead at 3,500 feet takes approximately two hours.
The hike to high camp takes 2 to 3 hours. The afternoon is dedicated to learning the fundamentals of ice climbing.
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Day 2 • Crevasse Rescue Instruction
Today is dedicated to developing advanced glacier mountaineering skills. Instruction includes introduction to snow anchors and crevasse rescue systems including the use of the Z-pulley technique.
After training, we break camp, pack our gear and retrace our hike back to the trailhead. We generally arrive back to the trailhead by late-afternoon and conclude our adventure in Sedro Woolley.
Plan to depart the day after the course ends.
Itinerary Notes
Northwest Alpine Guides makes every effort to uphold the scheduled itinerary, although our guides are given discretion to adapt the itinerary for reasons beyond our control or due to the needs of the group. Meal schedule: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
DETAILS
Where to Meet
8:00 am, the morning of the climb, we meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check before heading to the trailhead. We will email you PreClimb info including gear list and departure details upon registration.
Deposit and Payments
$200.00 deposit per person includes a non-refundable registration fee, due with application. Balance due 90 days prior to start date.
Price Includes
- Guided instruction
- Boiled water for meals
- Professional mountain guide
- Group equipment (including tents, ropes, stoves, etc.)
- Wilderness Permits
Price Does Not Include
- Transportation
- Trailhead parking fees (NW Forest Pass)
- Meals and snack food
- Personal gear
- Hotels or lodging
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Medical and evacuation coverage
- Staff gratuities
Tipping
Our guides are dedicated to working hard to ensure your success and well-being on the mountain. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. Tips normally average 10 – 20% of the cost of the program. If you prefer to transfer funds, please send gratuities through paypal.me/mountaingurus
Date Changes
Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 30 days prior to your departure date for a $100 fee per person. Date changes are subject to availability and apply only to the current climbing season. There are no date changes allowed less than 30 days before departure.
Age Guidelines
Participants age 16 & 17, on a fixed date group climb, and accompanied by parent or legal guardian.
Participants age 15 or under, NWAG requires a private climb, and accompanied by parent or legal guardian.
A minor climber must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian throughout the entirety of the program. If either climber must descend at any time during the program, both climbers must descend together.
Travel Insurance
We highly recommend that all participants consider travel and trip cancellation insurance. Travel insurance offers the best possible protection in the event of a sudden, unexpected illness or injury prior to or while traveling. Northwest Alpine Guides does not insure you against these risks. For more info about current coverage plans and quotes please visit.
TripAssure
We recommend Assure Adventure Plans to cover travelers participating in climbing, skiing, mountaineering and trekking programs. Click here for a quote Reference code: MOUN0700WA
Adventure Plan and Adventure Plus Plan differ only in the coverage option which allows you to Cancel for Any Reason. In order to receive Cancel for Any Reason coverage you must purchase the Adventure Plan Plus within 15 days of paying your deposit or payment with NWAG.
Global Rescue
We recommend Signature Travel Insurance. For travel insurance or Global Rescue membership.
Click here for a quote
Cancellations
Since departures require a minimum number of participates, Northwest Alpine Guides must adhere to a stringent refund policy. The policy is intended to protect participants who have otherwise committed time and resources to the departure. Please read our Online Reservation for Terms and Conditions.
MEALS
During the Crevasse Rescue 2-Day Course, you will need to provide all your own meals while on the mountain including (1) breakfast, (2) lunch & snacks, (1) dinner. Northwest Alpine Guides will provide the group with hot water during breakfast and dinner.
Meal Schedule
Day 1: Lunch & snacks, Dinner for hike from trailhead to high camp
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch & snacks for the course
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks
Day 2: Remaining snacks for the descent to trailhead
Mountain Lunches
We recommend a variety of snack food for eating on the go, we do not stop for a big lunch break, we eat during short maintenance breaks throughout the day.
The idea is to keep your energy level up for the climb eating small amounts about every hour or so.
Some examples of snack-lunch foods are dried meats (salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars, GORP trail mix.
The importance of having foods that you like to eat cannot be overstated. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength while in the mountains. A diet of sweet, sour and salty foods is recommended.
Mountain Breakfasts and Dinners
Here is a list of suggested meal ideas for you to prepare prior to the climb.
Breakfast: Instant Oatmeal, Pop Tarts, Fruit and Granola Bars, Bagels, Peanut Butter, Cream Cheese
Dinner: Freeze-dried dinners are easy to prepare but do not always taste good, and may effect your stomach. Instant noodle soups and rice are also popular. You may also consider bringing a cold meal such as dried meats, bread, pizza, or sandwiches.
Hot Drinks: Coffee, Caffeinated Tea, Herbal Tea, Cocoa, Cider
Cold water is available for drinking and filling water bottles. Hot water (boiled water) will be provided for your meals (for freeze-dried dinners, instant soups, instant oatmeal, etc) and hot drinks.
When preparing meals, please do not bring food items that require cooking or extensive preparation.
Contact us for questions.
TRAVEL
Getting There
8:00 am, the morning of the climb, we meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check before heading to the trailhead. We will email you PreClimb info including gear list and departure details upon registration.
The town of Sedro Woolley is approximately 76 miles and an hour and thirty minute drive from Seattle or Bellevue depending on traffic. The small town of Sedro Woolley is referred as “The Gateway to the North Cascades”. The cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington offer more food and lodging than Sedro Woolley.
Bingham Park
Sedro Woolley, WA 98284
Click for location on Google maps
We meet at the picnic table under the trees, in view of the playground. Following the gear check you will have an opportunity to stop at a market for last minutes items.
Flight Travel
Most climbers will fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) the evening before the program and rent a car for the hour and forty-five minute drive to Sedro Woolley, Washington.
Northwest programs our itineraries reflect the date and time the program begins at a start location (Mount Baker, North Cascades National Park). When flying to Washington State you will need to arrive the day before the climb begins to meet the group at the program start location. With regards to your departure flight, our return time to the program start location is often unpredictable. We suggest a hotel reservation for the night of the last day and plan to return home the day after the end of the program. If departing on the last day of the program, we recommend booking a flight later than 10pm.
Transportation
Group transportation is not included within the price of the trip. This includes transportation from the meeting location to the trailhead. Guides are not responsible to provide transportation to team members. We often have a mix of local and out of town customers on each Northwest climb or course. Climbers are free to rideshare with other team members at their own responsibility. Our office will forward your name and email to other team members if you give us permission to share your contact information indicating that you are interested in ridesharing. The NWAG office does not coordinate ridesharing/ carpooling. In some cases, a Northwest Alpine Guides staff member can provide limited transportation from Seattle or Bellevue to the trailhead as a fee service.
Trailhead Parking
You will need to obtain a NW Forest Service parking permit at the trailhead lot. Passes are $5.00 per day. They can be purchased in advance or the day of the gear check.
Driving Directions
From Seattle
Take I-5 North towards Burlington to Cook Road in Skagit County.
Take exit 232 from I-5 N
Turn right onto Cook Road, Head East to Sedro Woolley
Follow Cook Road to Bingham Park Loop in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)
At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on Cook Road
Turn left onto Bingham Park Loop
From Bellingham
Take I-5 South towards Burlington to Cook Road in Skagit County.
Take exit 232 from I-5 S
Follow Cook Road to Bingham Park Loop in Sedro-Woolley, 7 min (4.3 mi)
From Burlington
From State Highway 20 East, at the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Cook Road (after the Walgreens)
Turn right onto Bingham Park Loop
Hotels
Lodging in Burlington and Sedro Woolley, Washington. For those who wish to lodge close to the meeting location the night before the climb, the following options are recommended.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Burlington
9384 Old Hwy 99 North
Burlington, WA 98233
Three Rivers Inn
210 Ball Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
There are many hotel choices in Seattle, Bellevue and Issaquah.
Red Lion Hotel Bellevue
11211 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98004
Motel 6 Seattle East Issaquah
1885 15th Pl NW
Issaquah, WA 98027
