Join Trillium Alpine Guides for a 5-day mountaineering course on Mt. Baker, one of the premier glacier training areas in the United States. This comprehensive, entry-level, program builds the essential skills needed to travel safely on snow and ice, preparing you for larger and more technical mountain objectives in the Cascades and beyond.
The 5-Day Mountaineering Course is designed for beginner and intermediate climbers seeking professional instruction and hands-on experience in snow and glacier travel. Mt. Baker’s Coleman-Deming route, provides the perfect classroom for developing these foundational mountaineering skills.
Over the course of five days, you will learn and apply technical systems in real alpine environments while gaining a deeper understanding of mountain decision making, route planning, and risk management. The program culminates in a summit attempt of Mount Baker, offering the opportunity to put all of your new skills into practice.
By the end of the week, you will have the knowledge and confidence to join more advanced alpine climbs or plan independent glacier objectives with partners.
We begin with an early morning meet up for introductions, gear checks, and an overview of the course. After reviewing equipment and packing strategies, we hike to our basecamp at Hogsback Camp on Mt. Baker, focusing on sustainable pacing for mountain approaches.
Instruction begins with fundamental snow travel techniques including crampon and ice axe use, step kicking, self arrest, and movement on variable snow conditions. We will practice rope team travel, route finding across crevassed terrain, and techniques for safe glacier navigation. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, pacing, and communication while moving across complex glacial features. The day concludes with a discussion on mountain weather, hazard recognition, and route planning.
A full day dedicated to learning and practicing crevasse rescue systems, snow anchor construction, and hauling methods. Participants work through real scenarios to reinforce technical skills and develop problem solving confidence in rescue situations.
An early alpine start leads us onto Mt. Baker’s upper slopes for a summit bid via the Coleman Deming route, depending on conditions. Along the way, climbers apply all the skills learned throughout the course while managing rope systems, pacing, and transitions in a real mountain environment.
After a relaxed morning at camp, we pack up and descend to the trailhead. The course concludes with a debrief, feedback from guides, and discussion of next steps for future mountaineering development.
Crampon and ice axe techniques
Self arrest and snow travel movement
Building and evaluating snow anchors
Glacier rope team travel and communication
Crevasse rescue systems and hauling methods
Route finding and mountain navigation
Mountain weather and hazard assessment
Expedition camp setup and self care
This course is ideal for climbers who are new to snow and glacier travel or those looking to refine foundational mountaineering techniques. Participants should have prior experience with backpacking and camping and be prepared for long days in mountain terrain while carrying loads up to 50 pounds.
The Mount Baker Mountaineering Course serves as a strong stepping stone to more advanced alpine climbs such as Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker North Ridge, or larger expeditions. It provides the technical base needed for a lifetime of safe and successful mountaineering.
Join Trillium Alpine Guides for a 5-day mountaineering course on Mt. Baker, one of the premier glacier training areas in the United States. This comprehensive, entry-level, program builds the essential skills needed to travel safely on snow and ice, preparing you for larger and more technical mountain objectives in the Cascades and beyond.
The 5-Day Mountaineering Course is designed for beginner and intermediate climbers seeking professional instruction and hands-on experience in snow and glacier travel. Mt. Baker’s Coleman-Deming route, provides the perfect classroom for developing these foundational mountaineering skills.
Over the course of five days, you will learn and apply technical systems in real alpine environments while gaining a deeper understanding of mountain decision making, route planning, and risk management. The program culminates in a summit attempt of Mount Baker, offering the opportunity to put all of your new skills into practice.
By the end of the week, you will have the knowledge and confidence to join more advanced alpine climbs or plan independent glacier objectives with partners.
We begin with an early morning meet up for introductions, gear checks, and an overview of the course. After reviewing equipment and packing strategies, we hike to our basecamp at Hogsback Camp on Mt. Baker, focusing on sustainable pacing for mountain approaches.
Instruction begins with fundamental snow travel techniques including crampon and ice axe use, step kicking, self arrest, and movement on variable snow conditions. We will practice rope team travel, route finding across crevassed terrain, and techniques for safe glacier navigation. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, pacing, and communication while moving across complex glacial features. The day concludes with a discussion on mountain weather, hazard recognition, and route planning.
A full day dedicated to learning and practicing crevasse rescue systems, snow anchor construction, and hauling methods. Participants work through real scenarios to reinforce technical skills and develop problem solving confidence in rescue situations.
An early alpine start leads us onto Mt. Baker’s upper slopes for a summit bid via the Coleman Deming route, depending on conditions. Along the way, climbers apply all the skills learned throughout the course while managing rope systems, pacing, and transitions in a real mountain environment.
After a relaxed morning at camp, we pack up and descend to the trailhead. The course concludes with a debrief, feedback from guides, and discussion of next steps for future mountaineering development.
Crampon and ice axe techniques
Self arrest and snow travel movement
Building and evaluating snow anchors
Glacier rope team travel and communication
Crevasse rescue systems and hauling methods
Route finding and mountain navigation
Mountain weather and hazard assessment
Expedition camp setup and self care
This course is ideal for climbers who are new to snow and glacier travel or those looking to refine foundational mountaineering techniques. Participants should have prior experience with backpacking and camping and be prepared for long days in mountain terrain while carrying loads up to 50 pounds.
The Mount Baker Mountaineering Course serves as a strong stepping stone to more advanced alpine climbs such as Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker North Ridge, or larger expeditions. It provides the technical base needed for a lifetime of safe and successful mountaineering.
