Glacier Mountaineering

All our mountaineering courses provide breakfast, dinner and hot drinks on the mountain. We utilize the lightest high quality mountaineering tents, stoves and group equipment available to lessen pack weight. We meet in Sedro Woolley for equipment check the morning of the course and make our way to the trail head and high camp the same day. Day’s two and four are dedicated to learning glacier mountaineering skills, on day three we make our summit climb. Day five we return to the trailhead.

Or put it all together and combine our 5-day Glacier Mountaineering Course with our 2-day Introduction to Alpine Rock Course and discover what alpine climbing is really about.

• Rest step, step kicking and pressure breathing
• Ice axe techniques and self arrest training
• Crampon usage and techniques
• Glacier travel, climbing as a rope team
• Introduction to snow & ice anchors
• Crevasse rescue and self extrication
• Basic climbing knots & hitches
• Ascending fixed lines
• Belaying, rappelling, rope management
• Introduction to ice climbing (late season courses only)
• Leave no trace skills
• Summit climb of Mount Baker
• Discussion topics will include: Clothing and equipment, packing a backpack, mountain weather, glaciology, acclimatization, route finding, snow camp skills. Our professional guides will follow the above curriculum, introducing the basic mountaineering skills necessary to make a successful summit climb.

Easton Glacier / Southside

• Approach Time to Camp: 4-5 hours
• Distance: 3.5 miles, 2600 ft. gain
• Trailhead: Schriebers Meadow, 3400 ft.
• High Camp: 6000 ft.
• Camp to Summit: 5-6 hours, 4800 ft. gain
• Total Elevation Gain: 7,400 feet
• High Camp to Summit to High Camp: 6 miles round trip, 9+ hours
• Pack Weight: 50-55 lbs trailhead to high camp, 20-25 lbs high camp to summit
• Trail synopsis: This well-maintained trail is longer than the Northside route but gains elevation more gradually. We start the hike in the river valley, crossing the Easton Glacier stream (Sulphur Creek) and proceed up several switchbacks to gain a meadow at 4500 feet. From here the trail ascends the “Railroad Grade” which is a glacial moraine at a moderate angle. In early season we often camp at 5600 ft. at protected camps near the trees. We continue up the moraines overlooking the lower Easton Glacier. This takes us right into Sandy Camp at around 6000 ft.

Coleman Deming Glacier / Northside

• Approach Time to Camp: 3-4 hours
• Distance: 2.5 miles, 2500 ft. gain
• Trailhead: Heliotrope Ridge, 3500 ft.
• High Camp: 6000 ft.
• Camp to Summit: 5-6 hours, 4800 ft. gain
• Total Elevation Gain: 7,300 feet
• High Camp to Summit to High Camp: 6 miles round trip, 9+ hours
• Pack Weight: 50-55 lbs trailhead to high camp, 20-25 lbs high camp to summit
• Trail synopsis: From the parking area, the well-maintained trail gains elevation quickly, which makes this approach a bit shorter than the southside. After crossing Kulshan Creek at 2 miles (4500 ft.), we break through the trees, crossing another stream at 5400 feet, we climb the final steep moraine we and arrive at the Hogsback Camp between 6000 ft. and 6200 ft. Camp sites are scattered along the edge of the Coleman Glacier, and exact elevation and location will vary depending on water sources and other climbing parties.

Course begins and ends in Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest

Plan to arrive the day before the course begins.

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 Schreibers Meadow trailhead at 3,400 feet takes approximately one hour. The drive to Heliotrope Ridge trailhead at 3,500 feet takes approximately two hours.

The hike to high camp takes 4 to 5 hours. The team will set camp between 5,600 – 6,200 feet depending on the season, we prepare dinner and relax for the evening.

Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Dinner (D)

Today is dedicated to learning the fundamentals of mountaineering. The course instruction includes snow climbing, use of ice axe and self-rescue, crampon techniques, rope travel, and basic introduction on knots and anchors. Throughout the program guides will host discussions on numerous mountaineering topics.

Each team member will be assessed throughout the mountaineering school. You will need to demonstrate adequate fitness and proficiency in climbing skills as your safety is our priority.

After mountaineering training, we return to camp and prepare for our summit bid. The team enjoys dinner and early to bed for the next day’s climb.

Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner (B, D)

Our summit day starts early with a pre-dawn alpine start. From high camp, we climb moderate snowfields to the saddle between Sherman Crater at 9600 feet or Colfax Peak at 9000 feet depending on the route we choose. From here, it takes between one to two hours to reach the top. Both routes ascend the final Roman Wall steeply to Mount Baker’s expansive summit.

After enjoying summit views from Mount Baker’s highest point and celebrating our success we descend the route to high camp. During the afternoon guides will continue instruction as time warrants.

Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner (B, D)

Today is dedicated to developing advanced glacier mountaineering skills, preparing aspiring climbers for expedition mountaineering. We continue building on the essential skills needed to climb higher peaks. Instruction includes snow protection, crevasse rescue, ascending fixed lines, belaying, rappelling, and rope management. Introduction to ice climbing is dependent on conditions in the field (typically for late season courses).

Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner (B, D)

After enjoying breakfast, we wrap of skills training and break camp, pack our gear and retrace our hike back to the trailhead. We generally arrive back to the trailhead by early-afternoon and conclude our adventure in Sedro Woolley.

Meals Included: Breakfast (B)

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

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.

$500.00 deposit per person includes a $200.00 non-refundable registration fee, due with application. Balance due 90 days prior to start date.

Price Includes

• Guided climb and instruction
• Scheduled meals on the mountain (breakfast, dinner, hot drinks)
• Professional mountain guide
• Group equipment (including tents, ropes, stoves, etc.)
• Wilderness Permits

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.

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.

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.

When preparing lunches, please do not bring food items that require cooking or extensive preparation.

Day 1: Lunch & snacks for hike from trailhead to high camp
Three or four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks

Day 2: Lunch & snacks for mountaineering school
8-hour training includes a 30-minute lunch break, two 15-minute snack breaks

Day 3: Lunch & snacks for climb to summit and descent
Four 15-minute snack breaks on the ascent from high camp to summit, two or three 15-minute snack breaks on the descent from summit to high camp

Day 4: Lunch & snacks for mountaineering school
8-hour training includes a 30-minute lunch break, two 15-minute snack breaks

Day 5: Remaining snacks for the descent to trailhead

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.

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.

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