I took a class here last year in preparation for climbing Mt. Baker in WA state. I had zero mountaineering experience but really wanted to learn what it was all about. I was sold when Chris did his first information session. Chris is such an experienced, calm, and teaching focused person. He described his approach to teaching climbing that just made sense for me. During the course we learned navigational skills, learned how to use all the climbing gear, how to safely cross glaciers, practice rescuing teammates from crevices (amazing experience!). We would learn the concepts in a classroom setting, then do an overnight camp/hike to practice all the skills in the wild. I knew nothing when I started the class, and I am now comfortable doing some of these things on my own, this is a testament to Chris’ ability to teach and make sure you remember what you are taught. I would recommend this for anyone that is interested in mountaineering, it was such an amazing experience, and I have since drawn upon those skills in other outdoor scenarios. Chris makes this a comfortable learning environment, where you can challenge yourself, explore the wonder that is the mountains, and make some great friends! What are you waiting for?? GO GO GO!
Join us on this backpacking adventure through Washington’s wonderful wilderness. We’ll take you on an exclusive tour far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where time itself has little meaning. Escape the big city and discover a new part of this world that has been barely touched by human presence. Let yourself reconnect with nature in a place that you’ll soon discover is one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever seen.
Trip Details
Price
2 days/1 night: $595 per person
3 days/2 nights: $875 per person
4 days/3 nights: $1,125 per person
5 days/4 nights: $1,345 per person
10% discount for groups of 8 or more
Minimum rates apply
Departure time
8 AM
Meeting point
Within 30-60 minutes drive of Seattle, WA.
Meeting location will be provided in your pre-trip information packet.
Availability
July through September
Duration
2-5 day options available
Group size
2-10 people
If you have more than 8 people in your group, contact us about doing a private tour.
Experience level
No previous experience required
This trip is suitable for beginners of all ages who are looking to enjoy an active, adventurous and educational outdoor experience. Adult participants should be able to carry a pack weighing 25-45 pounds. Pack weights vary depending on the area, trip duration, time of year and your height and weight.
Difficulty rating
2-3
Level 1
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy hiking on well maintained trails
- Canyoneering: Easy hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 2 miles
- Surfaces: Easy terrain
- Elevation Change: Little to none. Short sections of uphill travel.
Level 2
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy to moderate hiking
- Canyoneering: Easy to moderate hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 3 miles
- Surfaces: Flat or rolling terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 600 ft/day
Level 3
- Activity:
- Hiking: Moderate, off-trail hiking on rugged trails
- Canyoneering: Moderate, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 6 miles
- Surfaces: Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 1200 ft/day
Level 4
- Activity:
- Hiking: Difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 10 miles
- Surfaces: Rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 3000 ft/day
Level 5
- Activity:
- Hiking: Very difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Very difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs. May require advanced canyoneering techniques including guided rappels, multi-pitch rappels, complex ropework difficult pothole escapes, and advanced problem-solving and anchor building.
- Distances: Hike up to 14 miles
- Surfaces: Extremely rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 4000 ft/day
Solitude rating
4
- Expect to be around other hikers and travelers most of the time.
- Expect to have some solitude, as much as an hour at a time without seeing other groups.
- Expect several hours of solitude at a time.
- Expect to see no more than one or two groups on your trip.
- Expect to see no other hikers or travelers on your trip.
Included
- Experienced and professional guides
- Trail snacks and refreshments
- All meals
- Federal land permit fees
- Safety equipment, including a team first-aid kit and satellite messenger
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, and informative as you’d like
Not included
- Travel Insurance
- Transportation to trailhead
- Gratuity for your guide
What to bring
A full packing list will be provided upon booking.
What Lies Ahead of You
Discover Washington From Another Angle
We’ve designed and adapted these trips exclusively for families with children ages 8 and up. This excursion is the perfect opportunity for all family members to experience nature at its finest. We’ll travel to pristine and awe-inspiring destinations beyond the reach of day hikers. You will experience divine landscapes and breathtaking wilderness that are both remarkably unique.
Our experienced guides are dedicated to providing you with a trip that is entertaining, safe and unique. In the evenings, enjoy relaxing around the campfire and eating great tasting backcountry meals while reconnecting with nature. This experience is tailored perfectly to families looking to build beautiful and long-lasting memories.
Itinerary
Arrival
Most people arrive in Seattle, Washington the day before the trip departs. Enjoy the beauty of this wonderful seaport city before the start of our epic North Cascades adventure.
Day 1
Depart Seattle for the beautiful snowcapped mountains of the North Cascades. A spectacular, glacier-carved landscape of rugged alpine peaks, sublime forests and cool mountain streams. At the trailhead, we will check our gear and provisions for the trip, put on our backpacks and head out on the trail. Once at our mountain basecamp we will set up our living quarters, explore the surrounding landscape and enjoy a healthy and delicious dinner before retiring to our new wilderness home.
Day 2 – 4
Awake to the grandeur of our alpine basecamp. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack up for the day, and get ready for another epic day of hiking, adventure and exploration. We’ll travel through magnificent old-growth forests and glacier-carved valleys crossing many small streams along the way. At the end of the day, we’ll break for camp and enjoy an evening of great food, conversation and fun.
Last Day
Rise with the sun, gather for breakfast and break camp in preparation for your final day of adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. This particular adventure is designed for beginners. We’ll teach you the ropes at the beginning, and then let you put into practice all your new skills.
Wear clothes you can move in and don’t mind if they get “worn-in” by the elements. Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures. For your feet, comfortable medium-weight hiking shoes or boots work best. You definitely need closed-toed shoes that you’ve worn before and broken in well.
Entrance fees, meals and snacks are included in the price.
Have more questions? Head to our FAQ page to read more!
Photo Gallery
Chris and Melissa are awesome! I summited Mt Baker with them in 2010 and could not have asked for a better instructor. I had never held an ice ax and didn’t know what crampons were before I took the glacier climbing course, but Chris taught me everything I needed to know. He is very professional and methodical in his approach, teaching all of the necessary skills to a considerable amount of depth, and allowing for lots of practice between the classroom sessions and field trips. If you want to be hand-held up Baker in a hurry, look elsewhere. If you want to learn the skills and feel confident that you could navigate your way to the top or run a crevasse rescue, you can’t do better than Chris. Definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life!
I took the basic glacier climbing course a few years ago from Chris. I was completely new to mountaineering, and I wanted to learn from someone who was passionate and experienced. I had a real interest in learning skills and enjoying the outdoors, and I wasn’t interested in merely checking off a box. Chris was an amazing instructor. He taught our class navigational skills, rope skills, glacier travel skills, and everything else you can imagine. We practiced everything until everyone was very comfortable. I walked away from this class extremely comfortable with the basic mountaineering skills. Chris’ vast knowledge and experience, as well as his intimate approach to teaching, really set his class apart. Our final trip was a summit attempt of Mt. Baker, and I’ll never forget the experience. We successfully made the summit, and the views of the Puget Sound and surrounding mountains were unreal. The experience was truly unique, and I can’t recommend this enough. I enjoyed it so much that I assisted with the class the following year!
