Summer Ice Climbing

Ice Climb on Frozen Glaciers in the Pacific Northwest

Develop Essential Ice Climbing Skills for Alpinism and Mountaineering

Many people don’t realize that Mount Baker’s stunning glaciers offer some of the best summer ice climbing in the Pacific Northwest. This guided program is for climbers of all levels and focuses on building essential skills for alpine objectives. You'll climb multi-pitch ice routes on the Coleman Icefall, practice crevasse rescue, and get direct coaching on movement and technical systems from AMGA trained guides, giving you the tools to tackle more difficult alpine objectives in the Cascades and beyond. Choose from one-, two-, or three-day options, with the potential to attempt more advanced routes like the North Ridge of Mount Baker.

Guided climbing days are custom scheduled dates only.

Course Highlights:

• Expert Ice Climbing Instruction: Learn from AMGA trained guides with extensive personal climbing experience and expertise. Perfect for climbers at all levels looking to improve their ice climbing skills.

• Breathtaking Glacier Terrain: Ice climb through stunning icefalls, crevasses, and moulins. Experience some of the best glacier ice climbing in the USA while surrounded by the awe-inspiring landscapes of Mount Baker and the North Cascades.

• Unique Climbing Experience: There’s nothing quite like the thrill of climbing on frozen ice with just a rope, ice tools, and crampons.  If you’ve never done it, you must try it. This is your chance to experience ice climbing in an area known for its incredible terrain but limited access during typical winter months.

• Beginner-Friendly to Advanced: Whether you're a beginner looking to try ice climbing for the first time or an experienced mountaineer aiming to tackle difficult alpine routes, we tailor the experience to suit your skill level. Opt for a 3-day Advanced Ice Climbing Program and potentially test your skills on the iconic North Ridge of Mount Baker.

Register Now for Your Summer Ice Climbing Adventure!

Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind ice climbing experience in the heart of our home, the Pacific Northwest. Register early—our summer ice climbing programs fill quickly. Reach out by phone or email to secure your spot on this unforgettable summer ice climbing expedition.

Best For

• Experienced Ice Climbers looking to enjoy the glaciers of the PNW. If you’ve already ice climbed and want to challenge yourself with multi-pitch ice climbing or steep ice climbing, this program will help refine your technique.

• Beginner Climbers looking to try ice climbing... If you’ve never tried ice climbing before, don’t worry! This course is designed to give you a safe and fun introduction to ice climbing, with expert guidance every step of the way.

• Alpinists and Mountaineers looking to broaden their skillset. If you're aiming for big alpine climbs but need to develop your technical ice climbing skills, this is the perfect course to gain the essential knowledge for more difficult alpine routes.

Learning Outcomes

• Ice Climbing Movement Skills: Perfect your technique with professional coaching on crampon use, ice tool swinging, and efficient movement on steep ice.

• Technical Ice Climbing Skills: Learn how to build ice anchors, place ice screws, make V-threads, manage the rope, and rappel on ice.

• Staying Warm and Dry: Learn layering and moisture management techniques so you can stay warm and dry even in the most demanding conditions. Ice climbing doesn’t have to be a “sufferfest”!

Itinerary

Day 1: 

• Meet at our office in Glacier, WA for an orientation with complimentary snacks and drinks.

• Hike to the Lower Coleman Icefall (~3 miles, 1500’ of vertical gain), set up camp, and start your first ice climbing lesson.

• Practice essential ice climbing skills and spend the day climbing under the guidance of our experts.

• Make dinner and sleep under the stars.

Day 2 (optional): 

• Start the day with an early climb, pushing your skills with multi-pitch routes or learning more advanced techniques.

• Whenever we tire out, return to camp and break down. Move camp up to the Hogsback camp if climbing the North Ridge the next day.

• Hike back to the car and return to the office in Glacier for celebratory snacks and drinks!

Day 3 (optional North Ridge Extension): 

• Tackle the iconic North Ridge of Mount Baker (11 miles, 4,000 feet of climbing) for a more challenging alpine experience.

• Break down camp and hike back to the car.

• Return to the office for celebratory drinks and snacks.