Fred Hutch Glacier Peak Climb
Last week Alpine Ascents teamed up with the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center for another fundraising climb! For more than 20 years, climbers from around the country have summited some of the world’s highest peaks and raised nearly $11 million for cancer research. We love it to see it! It’s always a treat to guide the Climb to Fight crew and this time was no different. The team headed to Glacier Peak and the results were highly scenic. All mountain glamour shots by Devin Bishop!
7/18 SheJumps 6-Day Mountaineering Course
Our SheJumps 6-Day Mountaineering Course just wrapped up a beautiful week on Kulshan (Baker)! They enjoyed perfect weather and had a wonderful time learning the ropes (pun intended) of glaciated climbing techniques.
The Latest from Kulshan (Baker)
Alpine Ascents Guide Kristie Kayl just checked in from Mount Baker on the SheJumps 6-Day mountaineering course. As you can see, it’s a beautiful day up there and the group can’t ask for a more scenic classroom for practicing knots. In general, our mountaineering courses typically go to the Squak Glacier on the south side of Mount Baker. It tends to be pretty quiet in that zone and groups can spend almost a whole course without seeing any other climbers.
Some climbers on upcoming Baker summit climbs have reached out with concerns regarding trip reports referencing overhead serac hazard. Please note, the problematic serac is threatening the Coleman-Deming on the north side of Baker. We have not run any trips on the north side for most of the climbing season and our operations are only on the south side for the rest of the summer.
On the south side, the approach trail is snow free until Sandy Camp and climbers are leaving the parking lot in approach shoes. Teams are accessing the Easton Glacier around 6,800′. Sections of the mountain are starting to melt out and expose patches of glacial ice. The route is direct up to the crater rim and teams are reaching the summit daily with an average time of 6 hours from camp to the summit.
7/15 North Ridge of Baker Climb
Our 7/15 North Ridge of Baker climb was not able to make an summit attempt due to significant hazards approaching the start of the route. Instead of throwing in the towel, they used the extra time to work on their ice climbing skills on the seracs of the Lower Coleman Deming.
Kulshan (Baker) Climbs Going Great!
Despite the record breaking temperatures last month, the south side of Mount Baker (Easton & Squak Glaciers) is still in phenomenal shape! As you can see, it’s been a lot of happy climbers.
My second climb with Alpine Ascents, and it just keeps getting better. Quality of guides, program, culture, positivity, conversation, fun, food provided, information — just awesome.
