MT BAKER | North America
Price Range:
$1,095-$1,495 USD
Elevation:
10,781ft
Duration:
3 or 5 Days
Difficulty:
Beginner
Route:
Easton Glacier Route
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Mount Baker (3,286m or 10,781ft) is a fantastic climbing experience for all types of climbers. Providing quick and easy access to large dynamic glaciers, it is a great introductory mountain for those interested in mountaineering but unsure how to take the plunge. It is also an excellent climb for Seven Summits preparation and for advanced climbers wishing to solidify their skills and add to their climbing resume before tackling a bigger peak or are short on time.
As the Northernmost volcano in the United States Cascade Range, it is located just 15 miles south of the Canadian border. In clear weather, expect incredible views all the way to the San Juan Islands, Olympic Range, North Cascade mountain range, and Vancouver, BC.
CTSS offers two itineraries to fit your specific needs:
Our 3-Day Summit Climb is oriented to climbers who want to summit a big mountain, are curious about mountaineering, want a quick refresher, or are simply just short on time. With just enough time to approach the climb, summit, and walk out this itinerary still gives the option of two different summit nights – allowing your guides to work around minor weather systems and increase your chance of success.
Or, our 5-Day Baker Alpine Academy is specifically developed for climbers who want a jumping-off point to the greater ranges around the world. We’ll work through the fundamentals of mountaineering step by step while undertaking a summit climb of Baker near the end of your course. Irreplaceable practicum with the chance of putting your skills into action on summit day.
Expedition Highlights:
- Learn principles of mountaineering with world-class guides
- Hone and refresh your skills before tackling a bigger objective
- See the sunrise over the North Cascades from Mount Baker
- Experience one of the largest glacier systems in the Lower 48
Ready to learn more about Mount Baker? Check out our guide tips, resources, and answers to your most pressing questions in our Mount Baker blog post!
Choosing the Right Option
Our Baker expeditions run throughout the Pacific Northwest summer of June through August to take advantage of the best climbing weather periods. Whether you’re looking for a group climb and introduction to mountaineering or wanting a customized private climb to expand your skill set we can arrange an expedition that fits your style and timeframe.
Choose from our 5-Day Baker Alpine Academy for an in-depth mountaineering seminar or a 3-Day Baker Summit Climb for a great climb and quick skill refresher.
Do I need to have any prior climbing experience?
This trip is open to all individuals in good physical condition. There are no technical climbing prerequisites to join this program.
What is a good fitness and training program for this climb?
- Climbing conditioning – pack-loaded uphill hiking, walking, and stair climbing
- Strength training – for the lower and upper body
- Cardiovascular training – including both aerobic and anaerobic workouts without pack weight
- Flexibility training
Do I need to acclimatize due to altitude?
No acclimatization is necessary for this program.
Will I need to share a tent?
Yes, tents will be shared accommodations due to limited tent space on the mountain and the weight of carrying extra tents. Please plan to share a tent with one of your fellow climbers.
How heavy will my pack be?
You will likely be carrying 40lbs – 50lbs (18kg – 24kg).
What weather should I expect?
Summer in the Pacific Northwest is generally mild to warm weather, with July and August having low precipitation totals compared to other months. However, the iconic glaciers and temperate rainforest that make Baker such a great experience have to come from somewhere. Be prepared for rainy weather with solid gear choices. Average temperatures at camp range from freezing to 80 degrees in the summer and can change quickly as weather moves through the area. Your sleeping bag and insulation layers should be adequate to keep you warm in windy weather down to 20 degrees fahrenheit.
Will I need to purchase trip insurance?
Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, medical insurance is mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family and business matters. As with all adventure travel, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.
Didn't find an answer to your question? Don't hesitate to ask us.
Mountaineering 101: Expedition Essentials on Mount Baker
Ready to level up your climbing skills? Check out our webinar with top guides Dallas Glass and Kat Schaumberg to learn about our favorite classroom—Mount Baker!
This FREE webinar is your chance to learn from our very own Mount Baker Lead Guides as they share their expertise on essential mountain climbing techniques. From mastering glacier travel to honing your camping skills in harsh environments, discover why Mount Baker is the ideal classroom for climbers aiming for bigger peaks.
Free Expert Advice
When you sign up for an expedition, you become part of the CTSS family.
This means a free consult with Mike Hamill—the author of Climbing the Seven Summits—or one of his expert team.
Personalized strategy, progression planning, expert coaching, and advice on how to get the most out of your climbing journey!
6x Reasons to Choose CTSS
Safety
Your safety and success are our priorities in that order. We make conservative decisions, plan redundancies and all our guides have wilderness medical training, safety & rescue plans & access to doctors 24/7 to help keep you safe.
Value for $
We keep our overheads low to pass savings on to you. We are proud to offer the best service for the most competitive price, without skimping on safety or taking shortcuts with logistics, staffing and infrastructure.
Holistic Approach
Our service goes far beyond the mountain. Think of us as your climbing coach, we’ll be there from start to finish to prepare, debrief and plan your progression as a mountaineer, whether your goal is a single summit or the Seven.
Guides & Team
Guides can make or break your climb. We hand pick the most qualified, tenured, tested and personable guides and Sherpa in the world. Owner and mountaineer Mike Hamill personally oversees the management of each expedition.
Our Values
We care about you, our people and the planet and we walk our talk by donating a percentage of every expedition to Tiger of the Snows fund which supports outdoor tourism workers all over the world and following strict Leave No Trace principles amongst other initiatives.
Success
We have an unparalleled summit success rate. How? We do it in a myriad of ways; like a great chef’s secret sauce, we've fine tuned the recipe over decades but most importantly, we believe in you & your ability to achieve your goals and are invested in putting you on top.
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"An incredible experience from start to finish. I can’t say enough what a difference it makes to have a great guide who cares so much about the whole experience and a great time to make the journey so special. I hope this is the first of many climbs with CTSS for me."
- Kevin A.
Mt Baker Adventures
