Women's Mt. Baker Climb with International Mountain Guides

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

We invite you to spend a long mid-summer weekend with us on our 3-day Mt. Baker Women's Climb! Our women's programs were developed by the women guides at IMG, who are passionate about building comradery, competence, and confidence amongst women climbers.

This climb is open to women both new to mountaineering and those with previous climbing experience. Our route of ascent is via the Easton Glacier, a direct and relatively moderate route up the south side of the mountain with the fewest technical difficulties. However, it should be noted that the summit day is long (a 10 hour round trip) and glaciated (roped glacier travel all the way). The broad expanse of the Easton Glacier provides a moderate ascent at an angle of up to 30°. The summit crater provides a spectacular view of the surrounding Cascade Range. Mt. Baker is a perfect first introduction to roped glacier travel on snow and ice and one of the classic North Cascades summits. The second day of the program involves training with crampons, use of an ice axe, ice axe arrest, roped glacier travel and a brief review of the principals of crevasse rescue. This is a good introduction to glacier travel for first time climbers or a comprehensive refresher course for those with previous experience looking for a spectacular glacier ascent.

While our Baker Climbs are suitable for novice climbers with little or no previous climbing experience, this program does require adequate fitness and endurance training in order to be successful.

Safety is our number one priority. We make no guarantees with respect to the program objectives. Many circumstances, including weather and abilities of yourself or other climbers may inhibit you from reaching the summit. Our goal is to give each of our customers the best experience we possibly can, regardless of the weather, route conditions, or time of year.

Easton Glacier Route on Mt. Baker

We backpack our full load of gear in to base camp. All that is required is an eagerness to learn, a significant base of cardiovascular physical fitness, and previous experience carrying an overnight pack. You will be expected to carry this weight over the course of many hours each day. The need to train for this climb cannot be overstressed. For several months prior to the start of the climb, training should include lots of long, slow, distance runs, hikes or biking over hilly terrain, an hour or more in duration. Add additional weekend outings working up to carrying a heavy pack (35-50 lbs.) hiking up steep hills or stairs. Trail hikes should gain 2-3,000 feet over 3 or more miles. This is a novice climb for those interested in learning elements of travel on big, glaciated mountains. Technical training is conducted during the pre-climb orientation and continually throughout the climb.

Prerequisites

There are no specific climbing prerequisites for this program. All that is required is an eagerness to learn, a significant base of cardiovascular physical fitness, and previous experience carrying an overnight pack. You will be expected to carry this weight over the course of many hours each day. For training suggestions please review the information provided on our Training for Rainier page. This is a novice climb for those interested in learning elements of travel on big, glaciated mountains. Technical training is conducted during the pre-climb orientation and continually throughout the climb.