Climbing Mt. Baker, Washington

Guided Mt. Baker Climbs with American Alpine Institute

At 10,780 feet, Mt. Baker towers over northwest Washington and southern British Columbia. This active, though dormant, volcano is a magnificent climbing objective, with gentle glacier routes, steep alpine ice climbs, and challenging, friable rock ribs and sub-summits. The dramatic, open crater allows climbers a view of fumaroles, thermal springs, and a main vent that emits sounds akin to those of a jet engine. Listed below is a selection of AAI programs that feature a Mt. Baker summit climb, including 3-day weekend trips, 6- and 12-day instructional courses, ski or snowboard ascents, and special programs for youth.

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  • Climbers at the Sherman Crater
  • Approaching Sandy Camp
  • Sunrise on Mt Baker Climb
  • Descending Mt Baker
  • Happy Climbers with Mt Baker
  • Mt Baker Alpine Glow
  • Mt Baker Glaciers
  • Rope Team Descending Baker
  • Summit of Mt Baker
  • Clouds around Mt Baker
  • Sherman Crater

  Mt. Baker Skills and Climb

  This program is for novice climbers who have limited time but would like to experience the thrill of climbing immense glaciers to the summit of one the alpine giants of North America. Mt. Baker's 10,781-foot summit is the highest point in northern Washington and offers commanding views of Vancouver, the San Juans, and the North Cascades.

  • Location:Mount Baker, Washington
  • Season:May - September
  • Length:3 or 4 days
  • Cost:$1150 (3 day option) $1495 (4 day option)

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  • Crevasse Rescue Practice on Mt. Baker
  • Easton Glacier descent towards the Black Buttes
  • Learning to Rappel
  • Glacier Travel
  • Cramponing
  • Ropeteam at Crater
  • Cascade Approach
  • Descending Coleman Glacier
  • Crevasse Rescue Practice
  • Crevasse on Easton Glacier
  • Rock Climbers at Mt. Erie
  • Snow School on Mt. Baker
  • Prusik Practice
  • Ice Skills Practice
  • Climbing up from the Mt. Baker crater

  Alpinism 1 - Introduction to Mountaineering

  This course provides a general introduction to the sport of mountain climbing, including one day of rock climbing and five days on Mt. Baker for a thorough introduction to glacier travel, crevasse rescue, self-arrest, and movement on snow and ice. The course culminates with a climb of Mt. Baker.

  • Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
  • Season:May - September
  • Length:6 days
  • Cost:$1775

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  • Ropeteam on the Quien-Sabe Glacier
  • Starting up South Early Winter Spire
  • Crevasse Rescue Practice
  • Climbing Kangaroo Temple
  • Starting up Beckey Route Chimney Pitch
  • Climbers at Crater Rim
  • Multi-pitch Climbing Systems at Fun Rock
  • Mt. Baker from the East

  Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 1

  Journalists have called AAI's four-part mountain leadership program "the country's most respected and thorough rock and mountaineering course." Part one (12 days) introduces glacier skills and alpine rock climbing at a moderate difficulty level. After training on the Easton Glacier, we climb Mount Baker, make ascents in the Washington Pass area, and conclude with a student-led ascent of a major North Cascades summit.

  • Location:North Cascades, WA
  • Season:May - September
  • Length:12 days
  • Cost:$3395

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  • Climbing N. Ridge of Baker
  • Top-roped ice climbing in the Coleman Icefall
  • Coleman Glacier Icefall
  • Rappelling from a serac in the Coleman Icefall
  • Overhanging ice in a crevasse
  • Emerging from steep ice in a crevasse, Coleman Icefall
  • Top-roped climbing on sun-cupped ice on a crevasse wall
  • Ice climbing in a crevasse
  • Descending past massive seracs on the Coleman Glacier
  • Ice Climbing in a Crevasse 2
  • Routefinding in complex terrain in the Coleman Icefall

  Alpine Ice Climbing - Introduction

  The first course offered by AAI in 1975, this intensive program provides thorough instruction in all the skills required on difficult alpine ice climbs. Through this curriculum, you will develop a complete repertoire of state-of-the-art high-angle snow and ice climbing skills and learn to apply them efficiently in all conditions. All of this instruction is located in America's top glacier training area, the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker.

  • Location:North Cascades, WA
  • Season:May - September
  • Length:6 Days
  • Cost:$1995

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  • Skier at the Summit
  • Mt. Baker Skiing - Heliotrope Ridge
  • N. Ridge Baker
  • Mt. Baker Crater
  • Mike and Liz
  • Chamonix 04
  • Early morning Baker
  • Liz smile
  • Descent

  Mt. Baker Summit on Skis or Snowboard

  This is a skills- and objectives-based course in which we will climb Mt. Baker and have the thrill of skiing or splitboarding down. For people who have intermediate to advanced touring experience and moderate to advanced riding skills, a ride down Mt. Baker will be a ride you'll never forget!

  • Location:Mount Baker, Washington
  • Season:May - July
  • Length:3 days
  • Cost:$1075

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  • Mt. Baker Approach
  • Approaching Basecamp on Mt Baker
  • Rock Climbing at Mt. Erie, WA
  • Glacier Travel on Mt Shuksan
  • Leading up Becky Route on Liberty Bell
  • East Buttress Direct
  • Crossing the Whaleback
  • South Early Winters Spire
  • Munter-Mule
  • SW Butt SEWS
  • Crevasse Hang
  • Crevasse Rescue Team

  Leaders of Tomorrow

  AAI’s flagship youth leadership program focuses on situational judgment and decision-making in a mountain setting while providing a base of general outdoor know-how and mountain sense. Participants learn rock-climbing skills, glacier travel techniques, crevasse rescue, navigation and other skills necessary for an attempt on 10,781-foot Mt. Baker as well as on other peaks.

  • Location:North Cascades, WA
  • Season:July - August
  • Length:6 or 13-Days
  • Cost:6-Day: $2295; 13-Day: $5225- All Inclusive Pricing

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  • Shuksan Summit Ridge
  • Stuart Range
  • Washington Pass Alpine Rock
  • Mixup Summit
  • Whiterock Lake Camp
  • Phenomenal Exposure
  • Liberty Bell
  • West Ridge of Forbidden Peak
  • Pickets Sunset

  Guided Alpine Climbing in the Cascades

  The glacier and rock ascents in the North Cascades offer beginners and experts alike the opportunity to experience some of the best alpine climbing in America.

  • Location:Northern Cascade Range, Washington
  • Season:May - September
  • Length:Varies
  • Cost:Price varies. See details.

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  • Mt Baker Summit Women
  • Approaching Camp
  • Women Alpine Rock Climbing
  • Red Rock Climbing Smile
  • Women's Rope Team
  • Mt Erie Rock Climbing Views
  • Women Red Rock Climbing
  • Women Alpine Ice Climbing
  • Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Scenic
  • Climbers on Fandango, First Flatiron
  • Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Camp2
  • Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Camp
  • Mt. Baker Women's Climb, BP2
  • Mt. Baker Women's Climb, Ascending2
  • Guide Training on Mt. Baker
  • Glacier Travel, Patagonia

  Women's Climbing & Mountaineering Programs

  Women interested in climbing with other women are invited to take their rock climbing or mountaineering skills to the next level on a women-specific AAI course. Learn to lead climb or summit a snow-capped peak in a supportive, all-women environment. Our women's programs include rock climbing clinics, mountaineering courses, and custom trips.

  • Location:Washington, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California
  • Season:Year-round
  • Length:Varies
  • Cost:Varies