Considered the best glacier training venue in the US, there’s no better place for a fantastic glacier school and a comprehensive overview of mountaineering than Mount Baker. This all-women glacier school is actually a two-in-one experience—we’ll learn the basics of glacier mountaineering, but also attempt to summit the iconic Mount Baker, proudly standing at 10,781 ft! With an intimate climber-to-guide ratio, our professional guides offer personal and hands-on training. This will be a comprehensive glacier school, where you’ll learn essential glacier mountaineering skills and put them to use! With women of all ages and all backgrounds, this welcoming trip will create lifelong memories and maybe even friendships.
Spend five days with professional mountain guides and a group of like-minded ladies and learn the fundamentals of alpine climbing! This instructional course will teach you the basics of glacier mountaineering, proper ice axe use, and self-arrest skills. Learn how to navigate glaciated terrain and how to use basic rope techniques while summiting Mt. Baker. This training will give you hands-on experience and the confidence for future climbs and summits, while you become a part of a strong community and make life-long friendships!
Arrive in Burlington, WA by 4pm to meet your team and kick off the adventure. You’ll go through a gear check and trip briefing, then spend the evening getting to know your teammates over a welcome dinner.*
Meals: Dinner
*Accommodation: Not included (possible to add at checkout)
Pick up any rented gear before transferring to Mt. Baker—self-drive, but you can book an optional logistics package at checkout. Once there, you’ll ascend to base camp, set up tents, and review essential camp craft skills.
Accommodation: Camping
Hiking: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Meals: Dinner
Spend the day diving into essential mountaineering skills—practicing footwork, using crampons and ice axes, learning self-arrest techniques, basic knots, rope team travel, snow anchors, and more.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
It’s summit day! After an early breakfast, we will rope up and ascend the magnificent Easton Glacier route towards the peak of Mount Baker. Throughout the climb, you will put your newly acquired skills into practice under the watchful eyes of our guides. Once we reach the summit (weather permitting), take a moment to celebrate your accomplishment and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views. We will then descend back to basecamp and return to town for a celebratory final dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel
Hiking: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to break down camp and depart from Mount Baker. With newfound knowledge and unforgettable memories, you will begin your journey home.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hiking: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Please note that all itineraries are subject to change based on weather conditions, team progress, and local logistics.
I completed Mt. Baker Climb with AWExpedition in August 2021. It was a great experience and I would do it again without any hesitation. The expedition was well organized and planned. All safety precautions were taken. Sunny, the founder of AWEpeditions was professional and very knowledgeable, but more importantly, she is a warm and friendly person, very inviting and welcoming. She was able to build a great climbing team and deliver an amazing overall experience. I highly recommend AWExpeditions!
What a pleasure to spend time in the backcountry with incredible women and two phenomenal guides. I am so happy to have found AWExpeditions and so proud of the work they are doing. Do not underestimate going into nature with women — it is powerful, rejuvenating, and inspirational.
I completed the Mt. Baker summit with Sunny and a great group of women in August 2021. This trip was fantastic! Sunny is an awesome trip leader; she was extremely knowledgeable, encouraging, kind, and dedicated to the mission of women climbing and wilderness exploration and conservation. Trip summary: We hiked up to the base camp on Day 1, and even though it was cloudy and gray everyone has in good spirits and having fun learning how to ice climb and walk with crampons. We got up early to hike to the summit on Day 2; it was not too challenging but was definitely intimidating at times. Mt.Baker has crevasses! We got back to camp after a 6.5 hour summit and 3 hours back down. We had a nice reflection on the mountain and watched the beautiful sunset over the cascade mountains. The last day we hiked out. In addition to the climb, Sunny helped build community by having a welcome dinner and a goodbye dinner and breakfast where we were able to reflect about our experiences. Last – I really appreciated being part of a group of women on the mountain! Everyone was kind and supportive and had a similar fitness/ability level while also competing only against themselves and the mountain. 10/10 would do again
Included:
Add-ons (available to add at checkout):
Not included:
While no mountaineering experience is necessary for this Comprehensive Glacier School on Mount Baker, very good good physical condition and previous hiking experience are required! Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended but not mandatory, and participants should be comfortable in cold and potentially wet weather conditions.
Mountaineering demands both physical strength and mental grit—being well-prepared is essential for your safety, success, and overall enjoyment. This isn’t a climb for untrained legs or wishful thinking. Start training early, focusing on endurance and strength, especially hikes on steep, uneven terrain with a weighted pack. Simulating real conditions is the best way to prepare, and the work you put in now will pay off with every step—and every view—on the mountain.
Not sure where you stand? To thrive on Mount Baker, you should be able to…
You should be able to comfortably carry a 40-50 pound backpack for several hours while hiking on uneven terrain (your personal gear as well as an allotment of group gear, expect a pack weight of 40-50 lbs). For summit day, you’ll only be carrying layers, snacks, and water (typically no more than 10-15 lbs).
We usually approach Komo Kulshan from the south, using established routes on either the Easton or Squak Glaciers. The final route depends on glacier conditions and crowd levels—on busy weekends, we often opt for the quieter but equally scenic Squak Glacier. Regardless of the route, you can expect the following one-way distances:
No prior mountaineering experience is required, but it is always welcome. However, participants must be in excellent physical condition. To thrive on Mount Baker, you should be able to…
Some previous hiking experience is required and previous backpacking experience is always helpful. This instructional course and the climb of Mount Baker is a moderate glacier climb that entails moderately steep terrain and crevasse crossings. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. As long as you check all the boxes above and listen to the given instructions, there is a really high chance of completing your climb.
Group camping equipment will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Clothing:
You will need clothes for hiking during the day, resting in the evening, and for sleeping. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, which means no cotton
Yes, you can rent equipment for this all-women climbing adventure on Mt. Baker. While your guides provide group camping, cooking, and emergency gear, you are responsible for your personal climbing gear and attire. Your guides recommend gear rental from Northwest Mountain Shop.
On the way to basecamp you will need to carry all of your personal & climbing gear, as well as an allotment of group gear; expect a pack weight of 40-50 lbs. For summit day you’ll only be carrying layers, snacks and water — typically no more than 10-15 lbs.
June through September typically show low precipitation on Mount Baker. That said, the North Cascades are known for precarious weather and fast-moving storms. Always be prepared for wet weather, and temperatures that can range anywhere from the eighties as low as sub-freezing. Your gear should be dialed for 20 degree temperatures.
Group sizes and prices:
Climbing days on Mount Baker can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Your tour starts in Burlington, WA. The easiest way to get there is by flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, one hour away from Burlington.
Plan to arrive at your destination in time for your 4pm briefing with the guides and gear check. You can make your planning as simple as possible by booking a lodging & transfers package at checkout!
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Though unlikely, an expedition may be canceled for any reason prior to departure. In that event, the deposit and expedition fees paid by the participants will be refunded. In the event of cancellation of a program and upon refund to participants of all program fee payments, the organizer shall be released from any further liability to participants, including but not limited to liability for additional costs participants may have incurred, pre-departure expenses, non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees, equipment purchases and medical expenses.
Participants agree that beginning on the first date of the program itinerary, there will be no refunds of program fees for any reason whatsoever. Expedition participants agree the cost of any search and rescue undertaken on their behalf will be their financial responsibility. Including costs incurred by the expedition leader, other expeditions, government, and/or other entities.
I completed Mt. Baker Climb with AWExpedition in August 2021. It was a great experience and I would do it again without any hesitation. The expedition was well organized and planned. All safety precautions were taken. Sunny, the founder of AWEpeditions was professional and very knowledgeable, but more importantly, she is a warm and friendly person, very inviting and welcoming. She was able to build a great climbing team and deliver an amazing overall experience. I highly recommend AWExpeditions!