Mount Baker doesn’t get the name recognition of Rainier, but for climbers building toward bigger objectives, it’s one of the most effective training grounds in North America. At 10,781 feet, it offers quick access to real glacier travel, technical terrain, and hands-on experience that actually transfers to higher peaks, without the logistics, crowds, and objective hazards of its more famous neighbor. In 2025, nearly 50 climbers summited under the leadership of the CTSS guide team, including webinar host Dallas Glass, the same guides who lead on Everest, Denali, and across the Seven Summits.

The season runs from June through August and includes options for every level, from first-timers and all-women’s cohorts to advanced climbers and the Masters (50+). Each program is built around essential expedition skills: carrying weight, traveling roped on glaciers, setting snow camp, and practicing crevasse rescue, with a guide focused on your development as a climber. If you want a closer look at what the mountain and the curriculum are about, watch our Mountaineering 101 Webinar or visit the Mount Baker program page to find the course that fits your goals.