At 10,781ft above sea level and 12 active glaciers, Mt. Baker is often considered the best glacier training venue in the US. This Cascadian volcano boasts breathtaking views and challenging but extremely rewarding mountaineering terrain—a paradise for any alpine climber! The highest peak of Washington State’s North Cascade has three classic routes that lead to the top, with the Easton Glacier considered to be the easiest way up. It is the best route for first time climbers as it offers a direct and relatively moderate route up the south side of the mountain with the fewest technical difficulties. Enjoy the magnificent panoramas filled with icefalls, seracs, and large crevasses that will leave you breathless, and learn everything about alpine climbing from well-experienced and friendly guides!
It’s the second most glaciated mountain in the lower 48
Accessible to beginners and seasoned climbers alike
With 12 glaciers and breathtaking views, it’s a paradise for any alpine climber
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!
Give yourself enough time to comfortably arrive in Seattle and check into your hotel before meeting your teammates. You’ll have dinner with your team and your guides at around 7pm.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll get transferred to Mount Baker. Hike up to the high camp, which is located at 5,500 ft above sea level (1,680m) on the edge of the Easton Glacier. Set up your camp and have a good night’s sleep.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
You have a day of training skills ahead of you. These skills may include use of an ice axe and crampons, self-arrest rescue techniques, and communication skills while traveling with a rope team.
Accommodation: Tent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Take advantage of an early alpine start and head up to the Easton Glacier. You’ll finally reach Mt. Baker’s summit, called Grant Peak, at 10,781 ft (3,286m) above sea level. The summit is actually a 1,300-foot-deep mound of ice, hiding a massive volcanic crater. After you’ve taken in the views from the top, get back down to your camp and then to the trailhead. You’ll be transferred to the city, where you’ll have your final dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Your adventure has come to an end, but you are more than welcome to stay in the area and talk to your guides about your plans!
Meals: Breakfast
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
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.
This is a beginner-friendly yet physically challenging mountaineering expedition. You have to be in excellent shape and able to hike for 6 to 8 hours a day with a 40-lbs backpack without feeling extremely exhausted at the end of the day. The challenge will also be the altitude and the rate of ascent.
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. 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, you’ll succeed in completing your climb.
Group camping equipment will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
Here’s a list of clothes we suggest you bring:
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.
Group sizes and prices:
Climbing days in Kilimanjaro 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.
A $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your place is due booking. The balance of the program fee is due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the following cancellation policy applies:
In some cases payments may be transferable; if you are required to forfeit your spot, you may find an acceptable replacement in which case your deposit and fees would transfer to your replacement without penalty.
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 expedition 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.
Your tour starts in Seattle. The easiest way to get there is by flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 15 minutes away from downtown.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Mount Baker, please refer to Washington’s COVID-19 travel requirements.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
