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!
Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! The sport of canyoneering is quickly taking off in the verdant, rugged and wet canyons of the Pacific Northwest. It’s not hard to see why – the thrill and exhilaration of rappelling under a waterfall is unmatched. These natural obstacle courses provide plenty of unique and fun challenges to overcome, which may include hiking, scrambling, wading, swimming and rappelling. Canyoneering may sound challenging, but with the support and guidance of a professional guide, canyoneering is a family-friendly adventure.
From $349 per person | 8 hours
Trip Details
Price
From $349 per person*
*Minimum day rate of $698 for solo travelers if not joining another group
Departure time
8 AM
Meeting point
Meeting location will be provided in your pre-trip information packet.
We’ll meet outside of Seattle, Washington. Typically it’s a 30 to 60-minute drive, but we’ll let you know with plenty of time in advance.
Availability
July through September.
Summer 2024 Dates are FULL.
Now Booking for Summer 2025.
Duration
Full day (8 hours)
Group size
2-6
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 enjoy an active, adventurous, and educational outdoor experience. Adult participants should be able to carry a pack weighing 10-20 pounds.
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
4-5
- 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
- Canyoneering equipment
- Canyoneering and rappelling instruction
- 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
- Gratuities or tips for instructors and guides
- Snacks and refreshments
What to bring
- Layered clothing
- Comfortable, sturdy footwear
- Sun protection
- Small backpack
- Water bottles or bladder
- Headlamp or flashlight
A full packing list will be provided upon booking.
What Lies Ahead of You
Explore the Dramatic North Cascades Mountain Range
A journey to the North Cascades mountains with Get In The Wild is a journey into soaring alpine peaks and mystifying solitude. Take a trip through charming foothills past cascading waterfalls and remote glaciers that span an area of 684,000 acres and find yourself at the pinnacle with views that only Mother Nature could provide.
The North Cascades mountains are the premier destination for alpine canyoneering in North America. Glimpse at our example itineraries below for tried and tested canyoneering adventures in a setting you won’t forget anytime soon.
Itinerary
We begin our adventure with a warm welcome from your experienced guide who will provide a brief overview of the canyoneering itinerary for the day. Characterized by jagged peaks, cascading waterfalls and wild and remote glaciers, the North Cascades offers some of the finest alpine canyoneering on the planet.
We’ll do a final check of gear and provisions and caravan by vehicle to the trailhead. Once there, we’ll have a short safety discussion and practice session before setting out on the day’s 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 canyons. 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 (no Chacos!) that you’ve worn before and broken in well.
Entrance fees are included in the price.
There is usually little to no signal where we tour. It’s the perfect time to unplug and truly enjoy nature! If you need to stay connected for a specific reason, please get in touch with us and we’ll work together to get it sorted.
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 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!
