All-Women Glacier School & Summiting Mount Baker

Things to know

• What’s included?

  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
• How fit do I need to be?

  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).

• What if I’ve never climbed before?

  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. 

• What about required equipment?

  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

• Can I rent equipment?

  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.

• How much weight will I have to carry?

  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.

• What types of conditions should I expect on Mount Baker?

  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 age requirements

  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.

• Can I book a private tour?

  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).

• Getting there and meeting location

  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.

• Safety measures in Washington

  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 and cancellations

  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.