Adventures in North Cascades National Park
Climbing, Hiking, and Skiing for All Ability Levels with American Alpine Institute
Tucked in the northwest corner of Washington State, North Cascades National Park preserves and protects the most heavily glaciated and wildest mountain range in the contiguous United States – a range so spectacular that it's been called "America's Alps".
Giant Douglas firs and cedars cling to the steep mountainsides, and bear, elk, and mountain goat roam the forests and alpine meadows. The region's rocky summits, massive glaciers, waterfalls, and hot springs have inspired generations of Americans, from John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt to Jack Kerouac.
American Alpine Institute offers programs in and around the park ranging from weekend introductory backpacking trips to advanced alpine climbs of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and Forbidden Peak, among many others. Browse our programs below and find your adventure in the North Cascades.
Adventures in North Cascades National Park
Climbing, Hiking, and Skiing for All Ability Levels with American Alpine Institute
Backpacking
A backpacker's high camp near White Rock Lake on the Ptarmigan Traverse backpacking route. Myron AllenAn introductory weekend backpacking trip designed for people with little or no overnight camping experience in the wilderness. Set in the North Cascades of Washington, this course covers equipment selection, navigation, meal planning and cooking, and campsite selection.
- Location:North Cascades, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:2-day weekend
- Cost:$675
From the summit of Mixup, at the start of the traverse. Andy BourneThis demanding technical backpacking and mountaineering trip traces the route pioneered by the Ptarmigan Climbing Club in 1938. The original traverse included ascents of many summits, including Mixup Peak, Mount Formidable, and Dome Peak. This program is offered with the option of summiting one or more peaks.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:July - September
- Length:7 days
- Cost:$1590
Mountaineering & Alpine Climbing
A student sets up a Z-pulley system to extract a fallen climber from a crevasse. Dylan TaylorThis 3-day course is a thorough introduction to the bare minimum skills necessary to climb glaciated peaks in a party led by a more seasoned climber. Though the course is designed as a cost-effective introduction, it is also popular with experienced leaders as a refresher course. Continual improvement of our curriculum ensures that this course is a good way to keep up with the state of the art.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:3 Days
- Cost:$925 Regular Season
AAI climbers admiring the expansive glaciers of Mt Baker.This 3- or 4-day guided climb of Mt. Baker (Koma Kulshan) is for novice mountaineers who have limited time, but would like to experience the thrill of ascending immense glaciers to the mountain's 10,781-foot summit. Climb this beautiful volcano with the American Alpine Institute, the company that has put more people on the summit of Mt. Baker than all of the other guide services combined!
- Location:Mount Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:3 or 4 days
- Cost:$1175 (3 day option) $1525 (4 day option) Late Season Discounts Available for September Climbs
A mock victim waits in a crevasse on Mt. Baker as students build a Z-pulley system to perform the rescue. Dylan TaylorThis 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:$1825
A climber finishing pitch 3 of the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell (7,720 ft.), a granite spire in Washington Pass. Jason MartinThis course provides a thorough introduction to alpine rock climbing at a moderate standard. Take this course to raise your skills to the intermediate level while climbing a series of spectacular North Cascades alpine summits such as South Early Winter Spire, Liberty Bell, Eldorado Peak, and Mt. Shuksan. Taken together with Alpinism 1, this course is the equivalent of our Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 1.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$2055
High on the North Ridge of Mt. Baker. Alasdair TurnerThe 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 - August
- Length:6 Days
- Cost:$2055
Climbers nearing the summit of Sahale Peak, with Sharkfin Tower and Boston Peak in the background. Gerry ChikeJournalists 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:$3495
Climbers near the summit of Forbidden Peak, on the West Ridge route. Bryan FeinsteinPart 2 of AAI’s four-part mountain leadership series introduces rock and alpine ice leadership skills. We then put those skills to the test on student-led ascents of the challenging peaks around Boston Basin, such as Forbidden Peak and Sharkfin Tower, and on an alpine ice climb on the massive glaciers of Mount Baker.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$3550
Rock Climbing
A student learning to rappel on the Sunset Slabs, Mt. Erie. Jason MartinThe Beginning Rock Climbing course is an introduction designed for people who have little or no experience in rock climbing. The course is ideal for those who are curious and want to experience the thrill of rock climbing in a beautiful natural setting. By the end of the course, participants should feel comfortable climbing with experienced friends and be able to pass a rock gym belayer's test.
- Location:Mt. Erie, WA
- Season:June - September
- Length:1 or 2 Days
- Cost:$225 per day (min. of 3 participants)
A climber learns rock-climbing fundamentals while protected by a top-rope. Scott SchumannA four-day intensive course that provides beginners and indoor climbers with a foundation in outdoor climbing techniques and the principals of rock climbing technical systems. By the end of the program, climbers will be able to belay, rappel, and set-up their own single-pitch top-rope systems to enable them to climb independently.
- Location:Washington, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California
- Season:Year-round
- Length:4 days
- Cost:$995
Many rescues begin by tying off a belay device. Ben TraxlerThe Technical Self-Rescue for Climbers program is an intensive one to two-day seminar on improvised multi-pitch rock rescue techniques. Participants study a series of haul, lower, rappel and rope-climbing systems and then apply them to a variety of practical scenarios. Individuals who complete this rock-rescue program should be able to apply these skills to a wide array of complex high-angle problems.
- Location:BC, WA, CA, NV and UT
- Season:Year-round
- Length:2 days
- Cost:$595 (min. of 2 participants)
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Winter Programs
A skier in the North Cascades. Andy BourneThis 1-day course is designed for those who have little or no backcountry skiing experience and want to learn the basics. We'll introduce you to the different types of gear that allow us to travel through the backcountry, including use of climbing skins and other backcountry tools. Once on the snow, you'll learn specific techniques for moving through pristine backcountry terrain.
- Location:Washington
- Season:December - March
- Length:1 Days
- Cost:$395
A skier skins uphill in the Mt. Baker backcountry. Scott Schumann"One run in the backcountry is worth ten in the front country." This is so commonly said that it has become a cliche ... and, yet, it's true. Come and join us on our 2-day clinic designed to take you beyond the basics and get you ready to go further, higher, and steeper.
- Location:North Cascades, WA; Eastern Sierras, CA; San Juan Mountains, CO
- Season:January - April
- Length:2 Days
- Cost:$460 (3 person min); Private trip pricing listed in 'Details and Dates'
A skier enjoys backcountry terrain. Lyle HaugsvenAmerican Alpine Institute has a wide variety of winter programming available to teach you the skills you need to travel through the untracked backcountry. Many of these programs dovetail together and you can flow from one into another with minimal down-time. Whether you're beginner, intermediate, or advanced, there's a winning combination waiting for you.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:December - March
- Length:4 - 6 days + 2 evening lecture sessions
- Cost:$1250 (Skiing) $1475 (Splitboarding)
Demonstrating the use of a Rutschblock Test to determine slope stability. Rick KaiserThis entry-level avalanche course provides skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, mountaineers and snowmobilers with the tools, knowledge, and decision making skills necessary to minimize risk in avalanche terrain. AAI's program employs curriculum developed by American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), an organization with decades of experience developing techniques, protocols and skills for those that recreate and work in avalanche terrain.
- Location:Washington
- Season:December - March
- Length:2 Online Evenings + 2 Field Days or 1 Lecture Day + 2 Field Days
- Cost:$725 (Register by Nov. 15th for a $100 discount)
Discussing terrain choices. Rick KaiserThe AIARE Rec 2 course is designed for advanced recreational winter travelers who have already taken AIARE 1 and the Avalanche Rescue Course. Focusing on snowpack, weather, and terrain assessment, the course builds decision-making skills and grooms students for leadership in the backcountry.
- Location:Mount Baker backcountry
- Season:December - March
- Length:2 Online Evenings and 2 Field Days
- Cost:$745
A climber enjoying mixed terrain on Chair Peak, WA. Alasdair TurnerWashington is home to a great variety of ice climbing opportunities. Learn the basics of ice climbing in one of our introductory courses or, once you have the skills, join us for a guided winter ascent of an alpine route.
- Location:North Cascades and Central Washington
- Season:December - March
- Length:1 day and up
- Cost:Varies
Programs for Youth
Beginning the climb and six days of training on Mt. Baker, one of the most heavily glaciated peaks in the lower 48 states. Gerry ChikeAAI’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: $2395; 13-Day: $5395- All Inclusive Pricing
A climber learns rock climbing techniques with protection from a top-rope. Richard RiquelmeMount Erie is a great place for a beginning rock climber, or for someone looking to perfect their skills. Located on the top of a large bluff overlooking the San Juan Island and Pacific ocean, the views are stunning. The access at Mount Erie and it's central location in Western Washington make it an ideal spot for climbers who have only a day or even a half day to get out and climb.
- Location:Anacortes, WA
- Season:April - October
- Length:Half day and up
- Cost:Varies based on Climber to Guide ratio
Private & Special Programs
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A fortified camp on the summit of Mount Baker. AAI CollectionDesigned for serious Denali aspirants or those planning other cold-weather, high-altitude expeditions, this program provides an introduction to general mountaineering skills such as self-arrest and crevasse rescue, as well as more specific expedition skills like camp fortification, sled rigging, and fixed line climbing.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:January - March
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$2,255
Topping out on Chablis Spire. Mark HoustonThe clean granite of Washington Pass and the Liberty Bell Group provides some of the best and most accessible alpine rock climbing in the Pacific Northwest. Classics like the Southwest Buttress of South Early Winter Spire make for rewarding outings for intermediate climbers, while the spectacular Liberty Crack challenges the most advanced.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:1 day and up
- Cost:Private Pricing
A climber starts the 2nd pitch of Midway (5.5) in Leavenworth, WA. Mike PowersLeavenworth is perhaps the best rock climbing area in the state for recreation and skill-building at all levels. Ease of access, good camping, and high-quality granite combine to make a great outing, whether for a day or a week.
- Location:Leavenworth, WA
- Season:April - October
- Length:1 day and up
- Cost:Private Pricing
- A climber learns rock climbing techniques with protection from a top-rope. Richard Riquelme
Mount Erie is a great place for a beginning rock climber, or for someone looking to perfect their skills. Located on the top of a large bluff overlooking the San Juan Island and Pacific ocean, the views are stunning. The access at Mount Erie and it's central location in Western Washington make it an ideal spot for climbers who have only a day or even a half day to get out and climb.
- Location:Anacortes, WA
- Season:April - October
- Length:Half day and up
- Cost:Varies based on Climber to Guide ratio
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