Mt. Baker 5 Day Mountaineering Course

Intermediate Mountaineering Skills Course – Learn Glacier Climbing & Summit Mt. Baker.

Expedition Overview

Dates: 14 Jul - 18 Jul 2027 21 Jul - 25 Jul 2027 28 Jul - 1 Aug 2027
PMG: Professional Mountain Guide
Duration: 5 Days
Difficulty: Level 1
Location: Washington
Price: $1,600 USD

Our 5-day Mount Baker program is designed for climbers who want a deeper, more comprehensive mountaineering experience. In addition to a summit attempt, you’ll spend extra time developing technical skills such as crampon and ice axe technique, self-arrest, rope-team travel, crevasse rescue, snow anchors, fixed-line ascension, and rappelling.

With more days on the mountain, there’s time to practice, repeat systems, and build real confidence on glaciated terrain.

If you’re looking for a more basic introduction and shorter commitment, the 3-day course focuses on fundamental skills and a summit climb. For those wanting in-depth training and stronger technical progression, the 5-day program is the better choice.

Mt. Baker 5 Day Climb and Instruction

This classic mountaineering peak serves as our classroom for mountain climbing skills. Packed into a focused high-altitude climbing itinerary. Designed to develop acclimatization, movement on glaciated terrain, and expedition pacing. Learn crevasse rescue, fixed line ascension, rappelling, and advanced knots and anchor placement. This is a proven stepping stone toward higher goals such more technical routes or the Seven Summits.

Expedition Gallery

Itinerary

Day 01 - Arrival in Sedro-Woolley Washington: Our team will meet at the Sedro Woolley Ranger Station parking lot for an orientation and gear check. Transportation to the Schrieber’s Meadow Trailhead will be via carpool. We will trek on a trail through temperate rainforest and reach the Railroad Grade Moraine and make camp at Sandy Camp at 5500 feet or higher at the high camp location at approximately 6000 feet, depending on the month/conditions (approximately a 4 hour hike to camp.) Camp set up and skills.
Day 02 - Glacier School Skills: Today consists of instruction on mountaineering skills important to safely ascend the mountain. Topics will include; climbing knots, crampon footwork, harnesses, ice axe, self arrest, and rope team travel skills.
Day 03 - Advanced Skills: We pack our backpacks and move a short distance to practice traveling in a rope team, similar to how climbers travel on Denali and Vinson. Discussion on personal glacier rigging system for big mountain glacier travel.
Day 04 - Advanced Skills: Practice skills including; rappelling, fixed line ascension, as well as snow anchors and crevasse rescue set up. An early dinner will be prepared by the guides and we will rest in the tents preparing for the summit.
Day 05 - Summit and Descent: A pre-dawn alpine-start to climb to the summit. The climb takes on average 8 hours to the summit and back to high camp. After a short rest to rehydrate, we will eat and pack up camp. We'll descend to the trailhead for the end of the program in the mid to late afternoon.

Exped Destination Cascades Range

The Cascade Mountains are the perfect introduction to glaciated mountain climbing or as stand alone climbing trips for those with previous experience. The moderate slopes of the Eastman Glacier Route provide an excellent training ground for skills practice and a foundation of general mountaineering experience. It is one of the classic North American climbs and is superb mountain terrain for developing or refreshing mountaineering/glacier travel skills. The summit of Mt. Baker is 10,781’ (3286m) above sea level, making it the 3rd tallest peak in Washington State.

The perfect classroom setting to learn basic mountaineering skills. Topics will include; climbing knots, crampon footwork, harnesses, ice axe, self arrest, and rope team travel skills that are necessary to climb the peak. These are also the foundation mountaineering skills to take onward on future climbs of glaciated peaks beyond Mt. Baker.

Average Summer Temperature:: 0°C
Max Altitude:: 3286m
Total Distance:: 20km

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What's Included

All permits

All of your climbing and park permits are included in the cost of the expedition.

Group & safety equipment

Included in your expedition is all essential group safety equipment, carefully selected and refined from years of experience. This includes GPS navigation, and first aid supplies, all overseen by a Wilderness First Responder and guides to ensure your safety every step of the way.

Group Gear

We provide all the camping tents, group climbing gear such as ropes, fixed snow protection, all climbing gear for a group to travel on glaciated terrain.

Meals on the expedition itinerary

All breakfasts and dinners during the mountain itinerary are provided. Lunch food is brought by individual as the limited amount of lunches are more “on the move snack foods”.

Mountain Professionals Guides

Your expedition is guided by highly experienced instructors. Mountain Professionals has decades of expedition leadership on glaciated mountain terrain, we bring a level of safety, skill, and authenticity that sets us apart.

Navigation tools (GPS, maps)

Our seasoned guides are experts in navigating the challenging terrain, where precision is crucial. Using GPS waypoints and compass and monitoring the slopes for avalanche risk.

What's Not Included

Guide Tips

We are happy to share recommended tipping guidelines for your guides.

Lodging

If you need to stay in hotels or lodging before or after you climb, please plan accordingly to fit your travel needs.

Personal clothing & gear

Team members are responsible for arriving with the required personal clothing and equipment for the expedition. Upon signing up, we provide a detailed gear list and are always available to offer advice or answer any questions about what to bring, ensuring you're fully prepared for the journey.

Personal Lunch and Snack Food

During all three days of the trip, we are essentially in transit during lunch time, so we ask participants to bring simple snack type lunch food that they prefer.

Personal travel insurance

Upon signing up, we provide a list of recommended insurance providers that specialize in covering climbing trips, ensuring you're fully protected for the journey.

Trailhead Parking fee

Some of our group will likely car-pool to park in the trailhead parking area, we will as a group purchase Northwest Forest Passes.

Transportation to Sedro-Woolley

Our trip begins early morning on the first day at the Sedro-Woolley Ranger station parking lot. From there, we car-pool to the trailhead to begin the trek. Detailed information and sharing will be provided upon sign-up.