Mt Baker Alpine Skills Course – 4 Day

Ratio:3:1
Length:4 days
Price:1 climber $2,200
2+ $1,300 per climber
Dates:July 10-14th, 2023

Custom dates are available in July and August
Location:Mount Baker

Mt. Baker is an awesome arena for building alpine climbing skills. It holds the US snowfall record, at 1,140 inches! It also has one of the shortest approaches to the toe of a glacier anywhere in the United States. This program is a great way to build ice climbing and advanced glacier travel skills close to camp, without much commitment. It’s a great classroom and we’re excited to take you there.

Building Alpine Skills

On day one of this program, we’ll hike into Mirkwood camp at 4800′. As soon as we’re done setting up camp, we’ll head down to the glacier and go ice climbing. The lower Coleman Glacier has fantastic opportunities for learning and practicing skills for alpine climbing. Over the course of our four day program you’ll learn about integrating crampons and ice-tools into your movement focusing on efficiency and security. We’ll practice placing and removing ice protection, building anchors and self-anchoring.

Traveling in the Alpine

We’ll consider moving to successively higher camps as the trip continues. There are reasons for and against these choices. Some of those reasons, like weather and route conditions, won’t be known until we arrive and assess the mountain. You will learn, alongside your guide, about decision-making, route selection and strategies for successful alpine-style climbs. Along the way, you will be learning and practicing a progression of skills that will help you reach the summit on this and future adventures.

The Summit

We will usually attempt to reach the summit on the 3rd day of our program. Leaving time for additional skills or a quick descent on the 4th day.  However, we may adjust the itinerary if you and your guide believe that a change in plans is the best way to meet your personal and educational goals for the trip. In some cases, weather and route conditions will dictate a change in strategy to maximize the chance of summiting. It is always better to be working on skills in poor weather than to be high up on the mountain!

 

Get Started

Interested in a trip? Call us today to get started on your trip reservation. We will take the time to place you on the expedition that is a fit for you.

(541) 312-9242

When you call us you will speak to someone knowledgable about all or our trips and locations.

Snow and Ice, Alpine Skills Course

Mount Baker

This 4-day skills course is ideally suited to those folks who want to have a lot of time with a guide, working through skills, asking questions and getting input on their technique and movement. In 4 days, you will cover a lot of ground – both literally, and in terms of alpine skills. Climbers wishing to push into the alpine independently will greatly benefit from this level of instruction in an environment like Mount Baker.

Elevation:10,781 feet
Style:Glacier ice climbing, steep snow, and glacier travel
Skill Level:Difficult
george

"I am very happy with my TMG experience. The guides were professional, personable, and extremely concerned about safety. . . I absolutely give highest marks to these guys. If you don't have much Alpine experience, or just want the security of seasoned veterans guiding you up this mountain, then I strongly recommend you sign up with them. Thanks, guys, for a great experience!!"

George C
Highland, UT
malcom

"What a fantastic experience gaining the summit of a mountain we've gazed on from Portland for 25 years! . . . We learned a great deal, had a ton of fun, felt in very capable hands, and had the reward of summiting on a beautiful clear day. The value of being with a professional, certified, guide and guiding organization was evident throughout. Kudos to the TMG team who were responsive, supportive, and fun to work with every step of the way."

Malcolm C
Portland, OR
Lucyan

"We booked 2-day overnight program on Mt. Hood with Timberline Mountain Guides. Our guides were great, . . super friendly and reputable. The program did not go as planned due to inclement weather but we still had fun and good experience. The guides were definitely flexible and provided guidance during the trip. I would recommend going with them if it's your first climbing trip on Mt. Hood for sure."

Lucyan
Portland, OR

Skill Series

Next Steps

  • Fisher Chimneys is a great advanced alpine climb with lots of transitions
  • Climb the Cooper Spur to build more experience on steep snow, up to 50°

Know Before You Go

Prerequisites
  • Climbers should have previous alpine climbing experience before joining this program
  • Climbers should arrive comfortable with tying friction hitches, clove hitches, and basic knots like the figure-8 and overhand
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