Mount Baker Climb Itinerary

Thursday 2:00pm
Gear check- Mandatory. A thorough gear check ensures everyone is fully equipped and prepared to depart the next morning. Rental gear is fitted and packed at this time. Location: Alpine Ascents Seattle office, 2:00pm. Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.

Friday: 7:00am meeting at Schrieber’s Meadow, south side of Mt. Baker. Most of the day is spent on the moderately strenuous approach, as we hike from 3,400’ in subalpine meadows. Climbing continues through forest, high alpine meadows and seasonal snow covered regions to high camp, spectacularly situated beneath the Easton glacier, just under 7,000’. Views from this elevation are both expansive and stunning.

Saturday: Snow skills. We cover basic snow skills, proper stepkicking, use of ice axe, self-arrest, walking/climbing in crampons and rope techniques for our heavily crevassed glacier climb.

Sunday: Summit day. To ensure safety and optimum traveling conditions, we begin the climb early to reach the summit by dawn. Our route takes us to approx. 9,800’ where we reach the crater rim and look deep into the steaming center of Mt. Baker. After a brief rest we head up along the crater rim to the summit. At a moderate pace, the summit climb should take 5-8hrs. Clear weather offers an awe-inspiring 3600 view from this most magnificent North Cascades summit.