Mt. Baker is an excellent introduction to Cascade Volcanoe climbing and with the high snowyear, routes throughout the range are in excellent condition!
We took off for Portal camp on the Easton Glacier on the south side of the mountain and made great time through the open meadows and dense forest. Our team was focused on learning everything needed for a successful trip and when we reached camp, all were eager to pitch in and discover the unique possibilities in setting camp on snow.
After a through snowschool on our second day, we began prepping for our summit climb that evening and after a hot meal, we called it a night.
We woke to clear skies lines with thousands of stars and began our climb upward. The snow was firm, air cool, and we were all moving strong. As the rising sun cast the shadow of Mt. Baker over the Twin Sisters Range to the west, our team reached the base of the Ronan wall and continued the steep climb to the summit plateau. After a victory summit photo, we retraces our steps ,packed camp, and made for burgers and beers in town.
All in all it was a wonderful time in good company and beautiful day to be climbing Mt.Baker!
J.Hankins
