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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 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.

Adventure highlights

  • Learn glacier travel

    Mount Baker is the second most glaciated mountain in the Lower 48, an ideal chance to learn glacier travel

  • All-women company

    Open both to adult women and girls aged 14 and up—inspiration and mentorship frequently emerge within teams

  • Superb glacier training venue

    With 12 glac­i­ers and breath­tak­ing views, it’s a paradise for anyone wanting to try mountaineering & overnighting in the outdoors

Itinerary

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!

  • All expeditions kick off with a warm welcome dinner on Day 1. Please plan to arrive at your destination by mid-morning to afternoon, with plenty of time to clear customs and check into your hotel before meeting your teammates for gear check at 3:00PM at the hotel and the welcome dinner, which typically starts around 7:00 pm local time. If you are flying in for an international expedition, your flights should land no later than 3:00 pm local time.

    Accommodation: Hotel
    Meals: Dinner

    Seattle, Washington, dawn.
  • We will depart Seattle and journey to Mount Baker. After a scenic drive, we will embark on a hike to our basecamp, settling in for the evening and enjoying the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

    Accommodation: Tent
    Meals: Breakfast and dinner

    Climbers on Mt. Baker, Washington.
  • A crucial day focused on honing your essential glacier mountaineering skills. Our experienced guides will lead you through comprehensive training on proper ice axe use, self-arrest techniques, glacier travel, and basic rope work, ensuring you feel confident and prepared for the summit attempt.

    Accommodation: Tent
    Meals: Breakfast and dinner

    All-women climbing Mt. Baker.
  • 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
    Meals: Breakfast and dinner

    Happy climbers on Mt. Baker.
  • After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to depart from Mount Baker. With newfound knowledge and unforgettable memories, you will begin your journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Women climbers on Mt. Baker.
  • Please note that all itineraries are subject to change based on weather conditions, team progress, and local logistics.

Adventure brochure
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Meet your guides

Sunny Stroeer
5.00
Sunny Stroeer
Lead guide and the owner of AWExpeditions
Lead guide and the owner of AWExpeditions
Sunny led a career-oriented life as an international strategy consultant with a Harvard MBA until a formative adventure on Aconcagua made her drop everything and take on the outdoors full-time. Before long, her exploits on high-altitude hiking and climbing routes saw her breaking speed records worldwide. When she’s not traveling and setting FKTs left and right, Sunny organizes guided adventures, celebrates the sporting life and promotes female empowerment through her writing and photography.
AWExpeditions
5.00
AWExpeditions
AWExpeditions organizes mountaineering, high altitude and backcountry adventures for women, by women. AWE decreases barriers of entry to the world of big mountain adventures for women from all walks of life by providing a platform for women and organization adventures in all-female or predominantly-female environments. Today, AWE runs all-women's (and a few co-ed) trips across five continents, with more destinations in the works. No matter the location of a trip, AWExpeditions always partners with carefully vetted & permitted local operators to create the best possible experience for all adventure participants.
5.00 (4 reviews)
Marta T (source: Tripadvisor)

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!

rjharbitter88 (source: Tripadvisor)

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.

Amelia K (source: AWExpeditions)

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

Farah S (source: AWExpeditions)

This was my second trip with AWExpeditions and it once again, did not disappoint. Sunny does such a wonderful job with planning, preparing, guiding, and caring for us on and off the mountain. I ran into some personal health issues and Sunny was proactive with what my next steps were to ensure my safety. It was truly an AWEsome experience, and the AWE community is the real thing.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • 5-day comprehensive glacier school on Mount Baker
      • Professional guiding team
      • Hotel accommodations pre- and post climb in Seattle and/or Sedro-Woolley (double occupancy)
      • Welcome & final dinners in town
      • Transfers from Seattle to Mount Baker and return
      • Team gear including four-season tents (double occupancy), ropes, snow anchors, and team medical kit
      • Meals during the tour (listed day-by-day in the itinerary)
      • On-trail real-time GPS tracking and communications

    What’s not included:

      • Flights or alternate travel to/from Seattle, WA
      • Airport transfers in Seattle
      • Meals not listed in the itinerary
      • Personal climbing gear and attire
      • Personal medications
      • Sodas & alcoholic beverages
      • Personal trekking snacks (such as bars, trail mix, or beef jerky) for on-trail sustenance
      • Single supplement — contact us to discuss availability and pricing
      • Medical, travel, and rescue insurance (rescue insurance is mandatory)
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • 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.

    Climbing Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route is a moderate glacier climb that entails moderately steep terrain and crevasse crossings. Depending on the season, some sections can require exposed climbing moves. Summit day typically involves 5-7 hours of continuous effort.

    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).

  • No prior mountaineering experience is required, but it is always welcome. Participants must be in good physical condition. Some previous hiking experience is required and previous backpacking experience is always helpful. This instructional course and the climb of Mount Baker via the Easton Glacier Route 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 we suggest you bring:

      • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 65L bag)
      • Glacier glasses & ski goggles
      • Four-season sleeping bag
      • Sleeping mat and liner
      • Compression sack for sleeping bag
      • Crampons — can be rented
      • Ice axe  — can be rented
      • Water bottle
      • Food you can eat on-the-go (energy bars, electrolytes, sports drinks)
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, chapstick with SPF, etc.)
      • 100% UV Sunglasses
      • Headlamp
      • Extra batteries
      • Camera — optional

    Here’s a list of clothes we suggest you bring:

      • Insulated mountaineering boots that work with crampons
      • Training boots for camp
      • Thick wool socks & thin trekking socks
      • Gloves (lightweight liner gloves, softshell gloves, insulated mittens)
      • Expedition-weight insulated puffy jacket
      • Hardshell (GoreTex) wind- and waterproof shell jacket
      • Softshell jacket
      • Warm mid-layer top & long-sleeve hoodie
      • Short or long-sleeved base layer top
      • Softshell pants & hardshell (GoreTex) pants
      • Fast-drying base layer bottom (no cotton)
      • Underwear
      • Neck gaiter
      • Buff, sun hat, and beanie
      • Set of town clothes
      • Light towel

    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. There are numerous rental shops in Seattle, check out Gear House or Ascent Outdoors.

  • 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:

      • The group size for both Mount Baker Glacier School 1 & Mount Baker Comprehensive Glacier School 2 is set at maximum 10 guests.
      • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

    Climbing days on Mount Baker can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors older than 14 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • Private trips are possible to arrange! Even if the displayed dates don’t work for you, please contact us—we’ll work with you to arrange a trip for you and your group (even co-ed is possible in this case).

  • Your tour starts in Seattle. The easiest way to get there is by flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 15 minutes away from downtown. 

    Both glacier schools begin with a welcome dinner on Day 1. Please plan to arrive at your destination by mid-afternoon of Day 1, with plenty of time to clear immigration and customs and/or check into your hotel prior to meeting your teammates for the welcome dinner, which typically starts around 7 pm local time. If you are flying in for an international expedition, your flights should land no later than 3pm local time.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

    With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

    If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits

    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

    • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

    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.

  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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