Orizaba Express Mexico Trek
Orizaba Express
Difficulty Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Orizaba (Formally known as Pico de Orizaba) is North America’s third tallest peak and a classic climb. Situated in Mexico, it has it all: culture, high mountain huts, stunning views and the opportunity to get your crampons into plenty of snow and ice. This mountain is easily accessible to just about anyone willing to train and work hard on the climb.
- Climb Mexico’s tallest peak
- Build technical mountaineering skills
- Experience Mexico and it’s people
- Explore ancient Aztec culture and relics
- Eat the world’s best Mole in Puebla
- See the sunrise over Popo and its plume of steam, an active volcano, whilst acclimatizing from the slopes of Mt Ixta
Conditions on Orizaba were tougher than normal but under Mike’s leadership and his attention to detail, our entire team summited. Everything was planned perfectly and lifelong friendships were formed‑Kent Stewart
Orizaba is a stratovolcano that sits in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is just a short flight away from major hubs in the United States.
The beauty of our “Orizaba Express” climb is that it is a high-altitude gem is very conveniently located and you can do it in just a week. It’s the perfect ascent for time poor people who have limited vacation or those who are preparing to climb Aconcagua or Himalayan peaks. To maximize the trip we have scheduled it so it is book-ended by the weekend.
The climbing consists of mostly moderate glaciated terrain with a few protected steeper sections that involve roped travel, solid cramping and general snow climbing skills. We also take some time to explore the region and meet the locals who are amazingly friendly and welcoming, their culture rich and fascinating not to mention their food is delicious! We have a very close relationship with our local outfitters and staff and consider them like family.
Our Mexican Volcanoes program is high altitude climbing from beginning to end. We fly into Mexico City at 7,382ft/2,250m, so right from the start your body will start adjusting to the rarefied air. Because of this it is paramount to use a slow progression, promote hydration and temperance and watch each other for symptoms of altitude illness.
“Orizaba Express” is one of our shorter expeditions and as such one of our most popular trips because it allows those who are time poor to still get into the mountains. We acclimatize for Orizaba on the neighboring flanks of Ixta (short for Iztaccihuatl) allowing us to see more of the region. However, please note, we don’t intend to summit Ixta, we use it primarily as acclimatization training. This keeps our expedition within that week-long schedule whilst still giving us variety. Ixta is also less glaciated and summit day is long and boring with more objective danger. Summiting Ixta only fatigues our climbers and detracts from the real objective, Orizaba. Orizaba is not only more scenic, it allows us to get into our crampons and cement our technical mountaineering skills.
We have led many trips to Mexico and have stood on the top of Orizaba each time and hope to maintain our 100% success rate for many years to come. You don’t get better odds than that!
This expedition will be organized by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike has personally guided nearly well over 100 high altitude expeditions, 10 Mt. Everest expeditions, 23 X 8,000m expeditions, has 6 Everest summits, currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu, and has written the guide book to “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him one of the most experienced guides in the world.
Mike has an impeccable safety record and an unmatched success rate due to his expertise and professionalism and holds all of the CTSS guides to the same high standards as he holds himself.
He knows that his choice of guides is the most important decision factor to continued success so CTSS only employs world-class leaders known for their coal face experience, focus on client care and attention to safety.
Orizaba is a serious undertaking and climbers should be prepared with adequate fitness. Our guides will work with you throughout the expedition to provide logistics, guidance, and information to best ensure your summit success & safety.
Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits” Orizaba Express Expedition!
Orizaba is a classic. It’s such a great peak because it offers excellent climbing that is just so accessible and quick being so close to the United States.
I have personally designed our Mexico expedition and it is guided by either myself or my pick of senior mountaineers who have a huge breadth of experience, not just on Orizaba but on all the Seven Summits.
I’m proud to say I’ve had a 100% success rate on climbs under my direct leadership so you can be assured by and have confidence in our CTSS experience, advice and safety standards.
On this trip, we acclimatize on the slopes of Ixta the neighbour of Orizaba. This allows us to take in more of the vast scenery Mexico has to offer, experience more of the Mexican flare, and to allow our climbers more time to acclimatize properly, thus increasing our chance of success.
We look forward to helping you achieve success on this expedition. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly regarding the expedition if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits
Expedition Options (Schedule and Prices)
At CTSS we offer a variety of different climb options to customize your Orizaba experience to your climbing style and ability:
Orizaba Express Guided Climb
January 11th – January 19, 2021: $3,495 USD
This is our most popular option. This expedition is our traditional guided team climb which ascends the stunning Northern Route.
For a detailed overview of the trip from an objective source, have a read of this great article by mountaineer Laura Lisowski: https://www.releasetravel.com/blog/2019/1/25/climbing-orizaba-preparation-for-everest-with-los-authenticos
Provided are guidance, leadership, and expedition oversight by renowned expedition leader Mike Hamill, local guides, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Orizaba. All prices are in US Dollars. CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
On Mountain Porterage 2 Days – $500
Our Orizaba expeditions are self-carry and there are two days in particular, moving to high camp and descending from high camp that packweights can be heavy. If you would like additional support, we encourage you to do so and contribute to the local economy by employing a porter.
This includes up to 20kg | 44 pounds of weight carried on your behalf.
Mexico Volcanoes Private Climb:
1:1 Client to Guide Ratio, $11,950 usd
Having your own private guide climbing with you can be an indispensable advantage! A private guide allows you to dictate the schedule, amend it depending on how you’re feeling, customize a program, and a private guide can coach you throughout the expedition, give you valuable feedback, be available if there are any medical issues, and make your climbing experience more enjoyable overall. Although summits a obviously never guaranteed but this is a great way to stack the odds in your favor.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
Orizaba Speed Ascent w/ Private Guide and Hypoxic Pre-acclimatization Chamber
(Please contact us directly for dates and prices)
CTSS offers select climbers our “Speed Ascent” option which employs state-of-the-art technology to allow you to summit in less time. If you are short on time and want to make the round trip safely but as quickly as possible, this is the ideal option. We use a time-tested training program in conjunction with the use of a portable hypoxic altitude chamber to pre-acclimate your body to the rarefied air found at altitude. This option is perfect for those who want to minimize time away from home while still stacking the odds in their favor for summit success.
If you think this option may be right for you please contact us directly and we will work with you on a personalized plan to allow our “Speed Ascent” Program to maximize results for you.
This expedition provides a Private guide at a 1:1 ratio, logistical oversight by expedition leader Mike Hamill, logistics, food, team gear, and support for a summit attempt on Orizaba. Whether you’re a less experienced climber or have climbed at altitude many times before, our speed ascent private climb with 1:1 Private Guide will give you the best chance at standing on top of Orizaba in less time than the normal expedition.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
Single rooming option: $500
We are happy to organize single rooming accommodations throughout the expedition for you. If you aren’t price sensitive, you snore or you are easily awakened by others that do snore this might be a great option.
We feel that having a single room helps climbers stay healthy and adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way. If you would like a single rooming option please let us know.
Please note that tent accommodations on the mountain are double-occupancy for safety and warmth.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. For more information, please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
- Pico de Orizaba is a stratovolcano and the tallest peak in Mexico standing at 18,880ft
- The volcano is currently dormant but not extinct, with the last eruption taking place during the 19th century
- Mexico City is built on the ruins of an Aztec city.
- Mexico has a population of 10 million
- Orizaba has also been called Citlaltépetl which means “Star Mountain”, “Cerro de San Andrés” and a third name, Poyauhtecatl, which means “the one that illuminates”
- It has so much prominence it can be seen from the Gulf of Mexico
Best expedition at a great value: CTSS believes in providing our clients with the highest quality service in the industry at a great value. Climbing and trekking is our passion, and our goal is to share these unique places and experiences with you. We want you to feel good about your experience because we believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising, and that begins with satisfied customers. There is a difference between our expeditions and those of our competitors, especially local cut-rate options. In choosing us, you are hiring the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from many Kilimanjaro expeditions, well over 100 high altitude expeditions, and drawing on decades of first hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value.
We are a modestly sized guide service with highly personalized service: We maintain a moderate size so that we can tailor our Orizaba climbing experience to you. Not all climbers are the same, which is why Mike Hamill will work with you directly to make sure you choose only the programs that are right for you.
The best route: CTSS climbs northern route on Orizaba. By using this route, we provide you with the highest chance of success and give you the best climbing experience available on the mountain. This is due to the more relaxed terrain and greater amount of time for acclimatization en route to the summit. This route offers a stunning glaciated ascent of the peak and some of the best mountain vistas in North America. We climb through a variety of different ecological zones and take in the local culture along the way. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak.
Mexican culture: We take time on our first day in Mexico City to see some of the best cultural sites the country has to offer. If you’re a fan of Aztec history then this is a great experience for you. Beyond the sights in and around Mexico City we immerse ourselves in Mexico eating and staying and eating at some of the best and most quintessentially Mexican places in the region.
Leadership: As expedition leader, Mike’s almost unparalleled experience base at high altitude can make the difference between success and failure. Let Mike guide you through the many nuances of climbing Orizaba that will allow you to be successful. From start to finish, he will work with you to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to reach your goal of standing on top of Mexico. Often being able to trouble shoot problems before they occur can make the difference, and this is where Mike’s vast experience becomes crucial. See Mike’s success rate.
Best guides: The quality of an expedition is, in large part, dictated by the individual guide(s) leading the trip. CTSS hires only the finest guides operating at the highest standards for client care who are highly trained, well respected in the industry, and close friends that we trust. The have excellent personalities and are some of the most experienced professionals in the world. Mike and the rest of our guides are strong leaders who maintain high standards. Our guides make our company what it is and have extensive resumes of personal climbs, high altitude guiding, and certifications. All our lead guides maintain at least a Wilderness First Responder medical standard. Our local guides around the world are the best in the industry and do an amazing job helping you attain your goals and navigating local obstacles.
Safety: Our primary goal at CTSS is safety. We have an unparalleled safety record and our clientele’s wellbeing factors in to every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round trip endeavor and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We take many safety precautions including bringing multiple communication devices, high altitude safety equipment, medical kits, and the highest quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.
Success: Success rates on expeditions under Mike’s leadership are among the best in the business. Mike has maintained a 100% expedition success rate for expeditions under his direct guidance on Orizaba. This is a testament to our quality of service and attention to detail. Mike and our team of guides are incredibly proud of their summit success and work hard to get their clients to the top. As Mike says, “You can’t buy a summit, but you can buy better odds.” With our expertise, experience and infrastructure, you can stack those odds in your favor. We offer a longer acclimatization progression for proper acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. Many guide services race their clients up the mountain, especially local companies, to cut corners on costs. We are highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and are always striving to improve our programs to maintain our hard-earned status. Decision making in the mountains is supremely important, and our guides are the best in the business, have a hunger to summit whenever it’s safe to do so, and have a proven track record. All of our programs acclimatize conservatively to mitigate the risk of having altitude issues and to give them the highest chance of success.
You! Why choose us? Because of you! We consistently attract the best clients and believe this is because we offer the highest quality expedition at a great value. Our clientele takes the time to educate themselves about their options and choose us because of this. We feel that surrounding yourself with the right people will make you successful, and that goes for guide service owners, guides, and even those with whom you climb. Having a team with the right attitude and camaraderie is a key factor in making you successful.
Logistics: We have led countless high altitude expeditions and have perfected the logistics, allowing you to focus on climbing, safety and success. We eat well and live well on expedition. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while on your climb or safari to not be distracted from the task at hand. We feel that these creature-comforts go a long way to making your time in the backcountry enjoyable. We strive to work with the best local outfitters and provide the best local logistics hands down.
Updates: In today’s connected world people want to know how things are going on expedition. CTSS maintains regular updates on our blog to keep friends and families informed. This can relieve a lot of the stress loved ones have when you’re away on climbing. We want to make the climb as stress-free for both the climber and the folks back home.
Professional Business Practices: Running a professional guide service that you feel comfortable putting your trust in is important to us. We comply with all local, state, federal and international laws. We hope that this makes you feel more confident about choosing us and our programs.
Enjoyment: This is your vacation, and you’re here to have a good time. Our goal is to give you the experience of a lifetime, inspire you in the mountains, and to have a great time doing it. This, again, comes back to our guides; they all have great personalities, and their love for the mountain is contagious.
Low client to guide ratio: We operate all of our trips at a low client to guide ratio which offers you a better, safer, and more personalized experience.
“Again, thanks for an awesome adventure. It’s the people, the friendship and the camaraderie that make up for more than half of the experience. Thanks for being so great!! and getting me up and down that hill safely. I look forward to climbing with you again in the future.” Jason V
“Thank you again for the trip of a lifetime” -Rick B
Difficulty: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Climbing Orizaba requires solid fitness and an ability to perform well at altitude, but it is not beyond the abilities of many people who are willing to train for the climb and work hard on the trip. Prior use of crampons and an ice axe is preferred but not mandatory as we will do a brief snow school for those with experience to touch up their skills and for others to become familiar. If you want to join this expedition but feel unsure of your ability, chat to us as we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb as we take immense pride in helping people achieve their goals.
The following is a sample daily schedule of our Orizaba Express climb:
Day One – Arrive Mexico City
Day Two – Gear Checks
Day Three – Drive to Cortez Pass and trek
Day Four – Move to hut at Cortez Pass and hike above Pass
Day Five – Drive to Hut on Orizaba, Short hike
Day Six – Carry to high camp
Day Seven – Move to high camp
Day Eight – Summit and descend to Tlachicuca
Day Nine – Drive to Mexico city for afternoon flights
Check the gear list. Pack and repack to make sure you know your gear. The gear on the gear list is mandatory to allow you to have a safe, successful climb as well as your entire team. Any questions we’re here to help.
For a complete gear list with descriptions and links to actual recommended items please see our Bolivia gear list page at:
Travel Gear:
- Travel Wallet: It should sling over your shoulder and lay discreetly next to your body
- Passport, cash and travel documents: Make sure to have a print out of all travel documents, pen, plenty of csh for the trip, and your passport handy.
- Sneakers: Light weight sneakers for travel and at base camp
- 2 pairs light socks: For use with sneakers.
- Day pack: Light weight 30 liter pack doubles as a carry on and a trekking pack
- 2 Duffel Bags: Heavy PVC duffel bags hold up to abuse and pack well on donkeys and in jeeps.
- 1 small duffel: to leave city clothes in at the hotel. Please no rolling duffels. Your duffels will be carried by porters and donkeys and rolling duffels make this very difficult for them and are much heavier.
- 3 Locks for Duffel bags: It is best to not tempt anyone into going through your gear so one lock per duffel is smart. TSA-type locks that customs officials can access and re-lock are handy as are zipties that can be cut off and put back on easily. Duffel locks are good for locking bags stored at the hotel or while on the donkeys/porters while climbing.
- Passport photos (3)
You will need at least 1 for your Visas and it’s always good to have a few extra. - Casual Travel Clothes: Several days will be spent in transit, in Mexico City, driving to base camp and at base camp so it is nice to have some casual clothes to travel in.
- Hotel vouchers if laying over en route to Mexico: If you have extended layovers make sure to pre-book a hotel and print out the voucher. Our travel agent can help you with this.
Lower Body:
- Medium weight trekking boots: Comfortable boots with plenty of ankle support and warmth to trek to base camps and ascend to high camps.
- 4 pairs of climbing socks, synthetic or wool: 2 medium weight for lower altitudes, and 2 heavier weight for summit days. They must not be too tight when used with climbing boots.
- Double climbing boots: Warm plastic double boots such as the Scarpa Inverno, La Sportiva Spantik, and La Sportiva Baruntse are ideal. Triple Boots are overkill and will be too warm. Single leather boots are not enough for the summit days!
- Medium weight gaiters: Must fit your boots. They will be used trekking to base camp, higher camps, and on the summit days.
- Chemical foot warmers: Optional, if needed. Some people use foot warmers for high altitude climbing and swear by them, others don’t. If you get cold feet you should seriously consider purchasing a pair of boot warmers and fitting them to your boots. They could prevent you from needing to turn around on summit day with cold feet.
- Foot powder: Foot power keeps feet dry and warm and can really help on summit day.
- Down booties: These are great for walking around base camp and at the upper camps. Try to find something light weight with a sole.
- 2 pairs of long johns: 1 thin and 1 medium weight. They will be worn underneath climbing pants so make sure the climbing pants will fit over them.
- 6 pairs of underwear: 3 pairs of synthetic underwear for climbing, 3 pairs cotton underwear for off mountain use. Three pairs of each for travel and on the mountain should be sufficient.
- 2 pairs of synthetic climbing pants: 1 thin and 1 medium weight. They need to fit over the synthetic under layers. Scholler type pants or quick drying zip-off pants are both great options.
- Jeans: For travel and base camp
- 1 pair of Goretex type full-zippered shell pants
These must be full zipper and should be light weight. They need to fit over your synthetic under layer and climbing pant combination to layer for warmth. They must be waterproof and breathable.
Upper body:
- Casual shirts for travel and base camp
- 2 synthetic under layers: 1 light, 1 medium. These must fit underneath your mid weight layers. The light one will be for lower on the mountain and the medium weight for up higher. A zippered collar is a nice option to have.
- 2 medium weight layers: 1 synthetic pile jacket, 1 down or synthetic vest. These two layers must be able to be worn in unison over the synthetic under layer and underneath the Shell jacket and down jacket. They should be light and one should have a hood.
- 1 waterproof shell jacket: This need to fit over your medium weight pile layers and be light weight, waterproof, and breathable.
- 1 mid-weight down jacket: This is to be worn at base camp, higher camps, and on the summit days. It must be able to layer over your other layers and have a hood. It doesn’t need to be an 8,000m parka but should be the step just below.
Head and Hands:
- 2 buff neck gaiters: These can be worn on the dusty drives to base camp to avoid sickness and on the mountain to warm and humidify the air.
- 1 face mask: A full face mask that can cover all of the skin on your face when used in unison with goggles is a necessity for cold, windy days.
- 2 heavy weight winter hats
- 1 sun/baseball hat: A sun hat that protects the neck is a great addition to your gear for trekking and on the mountain.
- 1 light weight fleece/synthetic liner gloves: These may be used on their own or underneath the warmer glove and mitten layers
- 1 medium weight fleece/ski glove: These will be used on their own lower on the mountain
- 1 heavy weight pair of climbing gloves: These can be used on their own or with a lighter pair of fleece liners higher on the mountain when climbing in cold weather. They are required gear and should be warm enough to climb to the summit in. Gloves have more dexterity than mittens for manipulating gear so they should be warn as much as possible as long as your hands are warm.
- 1 heavy weight pair of down mitts: These are used as a back up pair if you were to drop a glove or if it is extremely cold and you need a layer warmer than heavy climbing gloves. They should fit over a lighter fleece liner glove.
- Hand warmers: Like foot warmers, some people use hand warmers, others don’t. If you get cold hands you should consider bringing them although they don’t burn very warm due to the low oxygen at higher altitudes needed for the chemical reaction to take place.
- 2 pairs of Glacier glasses (one spare): These must block out as much light as possible and be the darkest level of protection (Cat 4). Removable side shields are useful. Bring a spare pair in case one is lost or broken.
- 2 pairs of goggles: 1 clear lens and 1 dark lens. The light pair will be worn on summit night when it is dark if it is really cold and windy, and the dark pair the rest of the climb. They both should block UVA/UVB and fans are quite effective.
- Prescription eyewear: If you wear prescription eye wear make sure to figure out how you will deal with tis on the mountain when it is cold, dusty, and windy. Many people purchase prescription glacier glasses and goggles to use up high and use glasses and contacts down low.
- Sunscreen: SPF 30 or so is good with Zinc in it.
Personal Gear:
- Trekking Poles: These must be collapsible and fit in your duffel bags. A medium sized snow basket is recommend.
- 80L climbing pack: This pack will be used on the mountain. It must be lightweight and fit your back. Since we need to carry a load to high camp on Ixta and carry that same gear back down again we need a large pack.
- Pack cover: This is convenient for the trekking to base camp and upper camps. It must fit your pack.
- Umbrella: An umbrella is nice to have for the trip to base camps. Buy a large one with a long handle.
- 1 sleeping bag: 1 rated to 0F or -10F: The should be made of down and light weight.
- 2 sleeping pads: 1 closed cell foam, 1 inflatable. They will be used together at the mountain camps. They should be light weight and have a high R-value.
- 2 headlamps; 1 medium sized and 1 small sized as a backup both with extra batteries. The main headlamp must be bright but light weight and the other will be used as a back up. Bring extra batteries for both.
- Batteries: 8 AA batteries and 8 AAA batteries depending on what your electronics use. Make sure to have enough batteries for all your electronics and gadgets.
- 2 litre water bottles, wide mouth Nalgene-type.
- 2 water bottle covers (jackets): These must fit over your water bottles and be as insulating as possible.
- 1 litre thermos (optional): This will be used high on the mountain to make sure you always have unfrozen water. Make sure it insulates well and doesn’t leak. It is also nice for carrying hot tea on the route with you.
- Snack food: We will provide lunches (and of course breakfasts and dinners) but be sure to bring enough palatable personal snack food as you will need on the mountain. We recommend 2 pounds/1 kilograms. It needs to be palatable when you don’t want to eat at altitude. Specialty items such as “Gu”, “Nuun”, and shot blocks are excellent.
- Water purification (optional): Iodine tablets, filter or UV treatment. We will boil all the water you will need to drink while on the trip. However, since it is boiled it takes a while to cool. If you want cold water then bring personal water purification. You can buy bottles water while in town, but it is nice to not create more trash than necessary and save some money. Don’t pack bottled water in your bags because the extra weight gets expensive when hiring mules and bottles can break. We don’t recommend drinking un-purified water out of the tap in Mexico.
- Books: Bring one or two and we will be able to share them around to save weight.
- Camera: Lightweight is good for the mountain but you can bring a heavier one for the drive and in to base camps. Make sure to bring plenty of storage and your battery charger. Many people just bring their Iphones on climbs now.
- Multitool: Good for around camp but make sure not to cut yourself with the knife!
- Toilet paper (1 roll): Toilet Paper will be provided once we arrive at base camp. It’s nice to have one roll for the upper camps.
- Altitude watch: Knowing your altitude is important in the mountains. Everyone should have an altitude watch.
- Sun screen: SPF 30 or higher. Make sure to bring enough for the entire expedition.
- Hand Sanitizer: Bring several small bottles to keep in your pocket at all times and one or two medium bottles for use at camps.
- Tooth Brush and Toothpaste
- Nail trimmers
- Baby wipes: These are invaluable while at the mountain camps for cleaning up.
- Basic medical kit: Should include: blister kit, low dose aspirin, bandaids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, diamox (acetezolomide, 125mg) for AMS, niphedepine (for pulmonary edema, time release), dexamethazone (for cerebral edema, 4mg), antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrhoea, duct tape, ear plugs, Antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastrointestinal such as Ciproflaxin), melatonin, Asthma medication if you use it (Advair), cold and flu medication,
Climbing Gear:
- Harness: This should be lightweight and have detachable leg loops.
- -1 locking carabiners and 2 non-locking carabiners
- Helmet: There are a few sections with rock fall and ice fall.
- Ice axe: Bring an alpine axe that is long enough for walking and has a leash.
- Crampons: 12 point crampons that MUST fit your boots perfectly. Once we get on the mountain there is no option to change crampons so a proper fit is crucial. We will double-check the fit during the gear checks.
Thanks for your interest in our expeditions. We're looking forward to climbing with you!
To apply for our expeditions, please contact us to send you an application packet.
Steps:
1. Fill in the application form (you can fill it out digitally or print and scan) and email it back to us at: info@climbingthesevensummits.com
2. Pay your 25% deposit (wire transfers are preferred and the details are on the application form. Credit cards attract a merchant surcharge)
3. Upon receiving your application and your deposit, and accepting you onto the trip, we will then issue you an invoice reflecting that and your balance amount and due date
4. Please send us the remainder of the forms to info@climbingthesevensummits.com which are due 4 months of departure along with your balance.
5. At the same time, please send a copy of the photo page of the passport you intend to travel on and a copy of your trip insurance*
*It’s worth noting most insurers require you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit for their trip cancellation/interruption clauses. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like recommendations on who we use for our guide’s insurance etc.
Travel can be booked through our partner travel agent: Pirjo DeHart at CTT Destinations.
Included:
- Guides
- Hotels
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: While we’re on the mountain all of the food (dinners, breakfasts, snacks/lunch) will be provided but it’s best to supplement as usual with a few pounds of your favorite snack and climbing food. Make sure it’s palatable up high.
- All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- Satellite Phone: Available to clientele at $3/min
- 1 drink per meal
Not Included:
- Flights to and from Mexico
- Any extensions prior or post the specified itinerary (however we can help you plan these add ons)
- Personal gear: all personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide Tip (Customary but optional)
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
- Snack food: We will have some snacks/lunches for the team but we always recommend bringing about 3lbs of snack food that you know you like and will be bale to eat at altitude when you’re not hungry.
- Bar tabs
Mike Hamill oversees each Orizaba expedition and leads many of them personally.
Mike Hamill, lead guide and owner of CTSS, is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders in the world.
He has personally guided thousands of climbers on the Seven Summits and well over 150 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest with him. A guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions worldwide.
He has stood on top of Everest 6x and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guidebook “Climbing the Seven Summits,”
To complement his leadership, Mike has hand-picked a selection of the finest mountaineering professionals from around the world to make up the international CTSS guiding team.
Our team are highly qualified and some of the most highly experienced climbers in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records along with their fun, genuine and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards as he holds himself.
Who you choose for expedition organization and leadership is a big deal – it can be the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.
Mike and the CTSS team’s love for the mountains and adventure continues in our corporate social responsibility policy. A portion of profits and fundraising climbs are organized every year in support of the “Tiger of the Snows Fund” a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.
“Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.” -Tim Igo
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures. and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top-of-the-line logistics, individualized and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top-of-the-line mountaineering, camping, and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders, and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style.” By this, we mean prioritizing the well-being and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard, and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to the Tiger of the Snows Fund.
We take immense pride in our expeditions, and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
Mountaineer Laura Lisowski details her climb with CTSS on Orizaba:
“I’ve had the pleasure of climbing with Mike on several expeditions over the past 12 years from Antarctica to Alaska to Russia to Everest. Not only is he one of the most respected mountain guides in the world, he is as fine a person as you will ever meet. There is no one I would rather have on my team should something go wrong on a big mountain. I was fortunate to be on Mike’s first Climbing the Seven Summits expedition last month on Orizaba and it was flawless” -Kent Stewart
Please visit our Client Testimonials page for quotes reflecting CTSS leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a big deal, and it’s important to feel comfortable with the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are return customers because of their overwhelmingly positive experiences.
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Elbrus Family & Friends Options
Elbrus Classic Climb Non Climber: $4,295 USD
June 27 – July 8, 2021
Elbrus Express Non Climber: $3,795 USD
June 29 – July 7, 2021
We welcome you to invite your non-climbing friends and family to join you on your Elbrus expedition.
The Elbrus expedition is a fantastic trip that suits this with its unique balance of sightseeing and climbing. The logistics surrounding the actual climb itself are also favourable, allowing your travelling companions to join you all the way up onto the lower part of the mountain and stay in the mountain hut with the team and enjoy some short R&R time while you climb & summit. This way, they will be with you every night of the trip and only miss you for a few short hours while you are climbing. (The alpine start on summit day also means they will only have a few short hours after breakfast to read a book or enjoy the mountain scenery before you return)
Please note; this option does require some physical excursions and general fitness with the walking tours in the cities, acclimatization hikes, and the short 20-30min hike moving up to the hut
The benefits are:
- The joy of sharing this once in a lifetime experience with your loved ones and the opportunity to explore the best of Russia together
- Lessening the time apart
- Putting family at ease as they get a first hand understanding and empathy of the nature of your expedition and goal
Chat to us if you would like to bring your family and friends and we’ll organise the trip of a lifetime for you all.
This is a sample itinerary only. Your actual daily schedule may be refined and strategically planned to account for the best weather and summit windows etc.
- Day 1: Arrive in St Petersburg
- Day 2: A full day exploring St. Petersburg and taking in the sights
- Day 3: Fly as a team to Min Vody, transfer to Elbrus Region
- Day 4: Scenic Acclimatisation hike & free time to explore and unwind
- Day 5: Foray up the mountain for a new acclimatisation high point. Family & Friends can observe your training, and enjoy being on the mountain with you, return to the valley to pack and for the evening at the hotel
- Day 6: Move up to the mountain hut and settle in
- Day 7: Climbers do half day acclimatisation climb and family and friends enjoy free time at the hut
- Day 8: Climbers summit - Alpine start so family and friends enjoy half day free time at the hut until climbers return. Celebrate together
- Day 9: Pack up & descend to the valley, Russian Banya spa/contingency summit day
- Day 10: Free day in the valley (horseriding, hiking, rest etc)/contingency summit day
- Day 11: Fly to Moscow and afternoon city tour
- Day 12: Morning city tour & fly home in afternoon/evening
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect
Included in the Family & Friends Elbrus Option:
- Full expedition logistics
- City tours in St. Pete's & Moscow with English speaking guides
- Hotel Accommodation in St. Petes, Moscow & the Elbrus region
- Mountain Hut Accommodation & meals on the mountain
- In country ground transportation (i.e mini bus etc Note: this does not include your domestic flights)
- Local registration, and chairlift/gondola fees
Excluded in the Family & Friends Elbrus Option:
- International flights to/from Russia and domestic flights to/from Mineralnye Vody. (You will be advised as to flight numbers of which domestic flights to book)
- Russian visa fees
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Associated travel expenses including: Visa, Passport, Reciprocity Fees, Vaccination Charges, Excess Baggage, transit hotels
- Optional excursions not included in the itinerary or additional days before or after the scheduled program
- Personal luggage, clothing, toiletries etc
- Personal sundries including but not limited to; personal snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, medical expenses, gratuities, internet, email or phone charges, bottled water, specialty coffees
- Lunch & Dinner meals in town
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips (Customary but optional)
- Satellite telephone charges and any 3rd party wifi
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, medical treatment, etc.)
Application Process & Payments
Application Process & Payments
To apply for any of our expeditions, there are three simple initial steps.
- Make contact with us by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button or fill in our online application form HERE, and our team will review it within 24-48 hours.
- Read, agree, sign, and return the ‘Program Terms and Conditions’ that we send to you.
- Upon acceptance, we will send you an invoice with payment details and ask you to pay your 25% non-refundable deposit. We recommend wire transfers as credit card payments will incur a merchant surcharge for the payer.
It’s worth noting that many insurers expect you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit to activate any trip cancellation or interruption policies. You can find our recommendations on insurance for mountaineering HERE.
It is only upon receipt of your completed application form, program terms and conditions, and your 25% non-refundable deposit that will we enrol you onto a CTSS expedition and allocate you a spot on our team.
Following the initial application process you will then:
4) Receive an onboarding email with all of your pre-trip departure information, gear list, itineraries, etc. to help you manage your expedition.
5) Be sent an updated invoice reflecting receipt of your deposit and your balance amount remaining, which is due 120 days (4 months) prior to departure.
6) Be asked to complete the remaining paperwork to ensure a smooth expedition including:
- Medical treatment release (allowing us to treat you and render first aid and care to you in an emergency)
- Physician’s assessment form (to be filled in by your doctor stating you are fit to participate and exert yourself at altitude; this will include additional cardiac testing if you are 50 years or older or are climbing above 8,000 meters)
- Copy of your passport photo page
- Copy of your insurance policy
- Your arrival/departure and travel details
Further details of our Payment Terms and Conditions, Cancellation, and Refund Policies can be found in the Application form, on your invoice, and in our Program Terms and Conditions form.
Suffice to say, we operate in some of the most remote and rugged places on the planet and as such we ask that you are aware and understanding that there could be last minute changes due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or circumstances beyond our control that may impact your expedition.
We also plan your adventures well in advance and, in order to do so, make many non-refundable payments to suppliers to secure permits, services, etc. on your behalf. We therefore must strictly adhere to cancellation policies.
We strongly advise you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance as protection against an emergency which may force you to cancel or leave an expedition.
CTSS' 'No D*ckheads Policy*'
Successfully summiting the world’s mightiest peaks requires more than just physical fitness. It also demands enormous mental strength, commitment and most importantly deep humility.
For this reason, CTSS is HIGHLY SELECTIVE of our both our Guides and our Clients.
Unlike other operators we won’t blindly accept anyone who can pay the bill. We will only enrol climbers who we feel will be an asset to our teams.
This selection is not about your resume, fitness, age, demographics, skillset or even your previous climbing experience. It is exclusively about your character and creating a powerful, cohesive culture and a sense of belonging.
Over decades of front line guiding we have learnt the secret sauce that makes a good expedition great, is the people. When you have great people in the mountains together it is advantageous to everyone’s safety and success AND ultimate enjoyment.
From the moment you make contact with us, throughout the onboarding process and even during the expedition we will continually assess you to make sure you are a good fit for CTSS. If not, we’ll politely and respectfully part ways.
To qualify to be on a CTSS team you must pass the No Dickheads* test and demonstrate you have the right character;
This Selection Criteria includes;
Humility & Respect:
- For the mountains and the environment,
- For your Guides and their leadership calls,
- For your teammates and their goals,
- For our shared priorities of safety and success (strictly in that order).
You will be expected to clearly demonstrate;
- A positive and persevering spirit,
- A deep commitment to your goal and obtaining the requisite fitness, skills and experience required,
- A willingness and enthusiasm to work in a team environment and be a true team player by going the extra mile and helping where you can,
- A understanding that mountaineering requires you to be adaptable and positive
- A natural ability to take self responsibility vs. playing the blame game
- And finally, that you are a nice, kind person!
You will also be expected to prove that you DO NOT:
- Feel entitled to summit because ‘you paid for it’. Rather you understand that the summit is a great privilege and never a guarantee.
- Have an unhealthy ego that is prone to ‘summit fever’ and that you will not push circumstances, people or safety boundaries too far.
- A selfish, negative mindset that may infect a team and erode enjoyment for everyone
We will not hesitate to enforce this policy and have done so in the past – firing Guides, changing contractors mid season, expelling clients and declining countless applications who we felt jeopardised the health and happiness of the wider team.
We are extremely privileged to be in the mountains. We don’t take that privilege for granted and we expect you to share that appreciation.
CTSS is the class of the mountain and it is for this reason that spots on our expeditions are among the most sought after in the world.
*The No Dickheads Policy is credited to the NZ All Blacks – the most consistently successful sports team in history with a win rate of 86%. They attribute their success to their team culture and not suffering – quote – “…people who put themselves ahead of the team, people who think they’re entitled to things, expect the rules to be different for them, people operating deceitfully in the dark…”
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Trip Insurance
Trip Insurance
Let’s face it, mountaineering carries an inherent risk and the nature of adventure travel means things don’t always go to plan, which is why we require all of our clients to carry adequate and appropriate insurance.
Too many times we have had clients who need to cancel their trip either before or during an expedition for unforeseen reasons such as injury, family issues, work obligations and so on. Considering the investment, length of expeditions and how much is at stake, it’s better to be prepared for contingencies.
You are welcome to choose your own provider but seek a policy that covers rescue, evacuation, medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption.
Ensure it doesn’t have restrictions on the altitude you will be climbing to, or exclusions on the activities you are undertaking, (like roped mountaineering) or the places you are visiting. (Many insurers exclude destinations with travel warnings)
Most insurers like you to take out a policy as soon as you have paid your deposit (some are within 7 days, some are within 20 days) for your cancellation/interruption clauses to take effect so it’s important that this is one of the first things you do when planning your expedition.
Protect yourself so you can head out on your expedition with peace of mind and focus on climbing.
Recommended Options
There are several excellent providers on the market that can offer competitive policies but our clients have had the best success with:
International Medical Group is an award-winning provider of travel insurance to help adventurers like you protect yourself and your investment from the unexpected no matter where in the world you are.
They also included non-insurance assistance services (for example Embassy & Consulate referral, emergency cash transfer, medical referrals and much more) in their policies.
We recommend their TravelLX policy which includes:
- Trip Cancellation (up to $100,000)
- Trip Interruption (up to 150% of trip cost)
- Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation of remains (up to $1,000,000)
- Political or Security Evacuation and Natural Disaster Evacuation (up to $50,000)
- Accident & Sickness Medical Expense (up to $500,000)
- Search & Rescue (up to $10,000)
- Cancel for Any Reason & Interruption for Any Reason (optional upgrades)
Want more peace of mind?
We also recommend Global Rescue’s annual memberships which provide worldwide field rescue, medical evacuation, security extraction, travel risk, crisis management and security services.
“Global Rescue employs former Navy Seals, Army Rangers and Defense Intelligence Agency Analysts to pluck people from precarious situations”
New York Times
CLICK HERE to Review their Travel Membership (including the medical evacuation program) and Signature Travel Insurance or connect with their 24/7 Member Services team (through the Contact Us form) for any questions you may have.
Whichever plan or provider you choose, please make sure to forward us a copy before the start of the expedition, so we can assist you in case of an emergency.
Elbrus Travel Guide
Expedition Meets in: St. Petersburg, Russia
Continent: Europe
Currency: Russian Rubles
Population: 145million
Official Language: Russian
Season to Climb: June to August = Summer
Things you Need to Know:
Tourist Visas
Almost all foreign travellers require a formal, pre approved tourist visa to enter Russia and it can be a lengthy process to obtain. We recommend you begin the process at least 3months in advance and consider using a local visa processing agent to simplify the process for you and take out any guess work.
To apply for a visa you will need ALL of your travel arrangements including your international flights and hotel bookings inside Russia finalised. (We will book hotels on your behalf within the scope of the expedition and will inform you of these bookings for this reason, however if you require additional nights before or after your trip please alert our team to this by either informing us where/when you have made additional bookings or asking us for help to do this)
With your travel details formalised, we can then issue you with an ‘Invitation Letter’ which is a vital part of your visa application. Please note; no invitation letters will be issued until balance payments are received.
Keep in mind:
- You will need to send your physical passport to your nearest Russian embassy along with your visa application. Make sure you don’t have conflicting travel arrangements during this time.
- Your visa application is very specific and your entry and exit dates and hotel bookings cannot be changed at a later date. For this reason please plan your trip in detail and in advance.
- You need to make sure the passport you apply for your visa with, has at least 6months until expiry from the date you plan to enter Russia, and at least 4 blank pages left.
Getting there
Getting to Russia is easy, flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg are served daily by direct flights from most hubs of North America, Europe and most of Asia.
You will need to fly into St. Petersburg in Russia on, or before, the official arrival day.
Once you have finalised your trip with us, we will book your hotel accommodation within the scope of the expedition (both in St. Petersburg, the Elbrus Region and Moscow) on your behalf and share these details with you so you know where to go from the airport. If you are looking at extending your trip or need additional nights, please let us know so we can help facilitate these.
Domestic Flights
You are expected to book your domestic flights from St. Petersburg to the Elbrus Region and back to Moscow. We highly recommend the use of a travel agent to do this as domestic travel can be a little more complicated to book, especially when it comes to securing baggage allowances withing your ticket. Excess baggage charges can be very expensive at the airport.
The regional airport that gives us access to the Elbrus region is called Mineralyne Vody (airport code: MRV)
Once you have finalised your trip with us, we will provide flight numbers of the domestic flights you should book to and from, the Elbrus Region.
Money
Russian Rubles – Please note, it can be difficult to exchange your currency to Russian rubles in your homeland due to the unpopularity of rubles abroad. You’ll be able to exchange money on arrival at the airport or, use ATM to draw cash.
Credit cards can be used throughout the country in shopping hubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
If you are planning on bringing cash to exchange for rubles, US dollars or euros are preferred by points of Russian currency exchange. Banks are also readily available to exchange currency in Russian cities and will generally charge a reasonable exchange rate.
Tipping
In Russia tipping is common practice. It is common to tip 10% at restaurants, $1-$3 for each bag to the porter, round up the fare for a taxi driver, tip city tour guides and local mountain guides
Adapters
Russia uses the two prong round European outlets on 220 volt electricity (be mindful that America uses 110volts – most electrical devices will support both but its work checking you power adapter to find out its supported voltage. If it is 110 volts only, you will not be able to use it in Russia)
Tap Water
Russian tap water meets sanitary standards so yes you can brush your teeth in it and drink it, but there are traces of minerals such as too much calcium and sulphate. This doesn’t matter if you drink a little while you are travelling there, but it’s not the healthiest in the long-term.
Personal Safety
Despite perceptions, Russia is a relatively safe destination for travellers. General safety precautions should be taken much like any other destination with its share of pickpockets etc. Behave in Russia as you would at home, err on the conservative side in terms of dress and behaviour and generally keep any controversial or political opinions to yourself as to not offend anyone. Always let your Guide know if you’re going to venture out. In general, we prefer to travel and stick together as a team.
Moscow 2 Day | 2 Night Extension
More of Moscow!
USD $1,750 per person
Moscow! A city of contrasts with an intriguing mix of extravagant Tsarist architecture and stern Soviet buildings it is rich with artistry, culture and history that dates back over 800 years.
Take your time with an extra two days and two nights exploring the capital with English speaking guided sightseeing excursions.
See Lenin’s Tomb, go inside St. Basil’s cathedral, attend the famous Russian Ballet at the Bolshoi*, relax and unwind in Gorky Park and more!
This tour is fully inclusive of guides, accommodation and three meals a day. Chat to us if you would like to see and do more in Moscow, as we would love to organise it for you.
*Please note, tickets to the Bolshoi aren’t included as to accomodate your personal preference on which show you would like to attend and prices vary.
St. Petersburg 2 Day | 2 Night Extension
More of St. Petersburg!
USD $1,750 per person
Located on the delta of the Neva River, St. Petersburg is only 7 degrees South of the Arctic circle and was founded by Peter the Great in 1703.
Russia’s cultural centre, it is a hub of historical, cultural and architectural landmarks and bears the unofficial title of being the most ‘European city’.
Spend an extra two days and two nights exploring this stunning city with English speaking guided sightseeing excursions to explore The Hermitage & Peterhof Palace.
You certainly won’t regret having extra time to really take in and absorb this spectacular city!
This tour is fully inclusive of guides, accommodation and three meals a day. Chat to us if you would like to see and do more in St. Petersburg, we would love to organise it for you.
Elbrus Single Rooming
Hotel Single Rooming Upgrade
$1250 USD
As standard all of accommodations are based on twin share but we are happy to organise single rooming accommodations for you in the hotels throughout the expedition (St. Petersburg, Moscow and Terskol)
If you snore or are easily awakened by others that do snore, this might be a great option. Having a single room adds a bit of comfort and personal space that can go a long way on an expedition.
If you would like a single rooming option please let us know on your application form.
*Please note that accommodation on the mountain is limited to the mountain huts which are very comfortable but they are dormitory style so single rooming isn’t available on these nights.
5-Day Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
Price: $1,495 USD
2025 Dates:
- June 5-9, 2025 – All Women’s Expedition
- June 19-23, 2025
- July 10-14, 2025
Our 5-day Mount Baker expedition not only climbs the peak but takes advantage of an extra two full days of comprehensive mountaineering training, making it an ideal prep for climbers looking to move on to the Seven Summits, Denali, or bigger peaks in the Himalayas.
You will spend most of your expedition mastering skills in Baker’s ideal glaciated terrain before climbing and summiting the mountain towards the end of the week. Another bonus of the 5-day program is flexibility, allowing us to select the best weather window for your summit bid.
Course Learning Covers:
- Alpine safety
- Expedition & snow camping – site selection, tent set up, snow block walls, kitchen setup, camp hygiene
- Mountaineering skills – crampon technique, self-arrest training, climbing efficiency techniques
- Crevasse rescue
- Knots, hitches, and rope craft
- Ice climbing (condition dependent)
- Rappelling
- Snow anchors & running protection
The curriculum may be adapted to take advantage of current weather conditions.
Provided are guidance, expedition oversight, skills seminars, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Mt. Baker.
Prices subject do not include an additional 8.6% Sedro Woolley city and state tax.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and conditions. This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Sedro Woolley one day early to avoid travel delays, or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility.
- Day 1: Arrive in Sedro-Woolley by 8:00 a.m. Quick gear check/rentals and drive to trailhead. Hike to Sandy Camp, establish our base camp while training expedition camp site selection and construction
- Day 2: Training Day. Focus on basic travel efficiency and snow travel techniques, introduce rope systems and basic knots/hitches.
- Day 3: Training Day. Focus on more advanced ropework, anchor construction and running belays.
- Day 4: Summit attempt! Wake up early for an alpine start, ascend the Easton Glacier Route to the summit, descend route back to camp. After a rest, evaluate the climb and review skills used during the climb.
- Day 5: Wrap up training and descend to trailhead by 1:00 p.m. Drive back to Sedro-Woolley, arriving around 3:00-4:00pm. Return any rental gear and bid a fond farewell to your teammates.
It is advised that you book local accommodation for the night of your last day instead of traveling home when you will be tired.
Our expeditions are designed to be fully inclusive, except for some services/items of a personal nature like flights, gear, and insurance. Here’s a detailed list so you know what to expect.
Included in the Mt. Baker 5-Day Alpine Academy & Climb
- Professional mountain guides
- All on-mountain breakfasts, dinners, and hot drinks. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- All group gear, including mountaineering tents, cooking gear, stoves, ropes, etc.
- First-aid equipment
- Satellite phone to update the blog and available to clientele at $3/minute
Excluded from Mt. Baker 5-Day Baker Alpine Academy & Climb
- All in-town restaurant meals
- Lunches/snacks while on the climb. You will need to bring your own selection of snacks for lunches and fuel during the summit climb. We recommend a variety of your favorite snacks, enough for 16 snack breaks at 300-400 calories per break. This should weigh 3-4 pounds.
- Hotels before or after the climb
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Flight costs
- All personal climbing equipment is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
