Mt. Baker | Easton Glacier Ski Ascent

DESCRIPTION

Ski the third highest peak in Washington and the second most glaciated mountain in the Lower 48 via the Easton Glacier, a descent of over 7500′ vertical feet!

On this 3 day program we’ll set up a high camp around 6000′, and launch on a summit attempt on day 2 or 3, depending on weather conditions. The Easton offers moderately angled terrain similar in character to the Muir Snowfield, but on big glaciers with big crevasses. This is a great introduction to glaciated ski mountaineering.

Requirements for this program include advanced skiing/riding ability and excellent physical fitness.

Sample itinerary:

DAY 1 – Approach

We meet at 8am in Sedro Woolley at the Park and Forest Information Center for introductions and gear check. After securing our permits, we drive to the trailhead (about 1 hr 15m), finalize any packing and preparations, and begin the approach.

The ascent to high camp takes 3-4 hours and we’re able to skin most of the way, practicing efficiency techniques as we go. Somewhere between 6000′ and 7000′ feet we establish a bombproof mountain camp.

DAY 2 – Skills Training, Glacier Tour

With better weather forecast for day 3, we opt to spend the morning doing some training around camp. We practice transitions for skiing in glaciated terrain, ice axe and cramponing techniques, and roped travel. With clearing skies in the afternoon, we head out on a glacier tour above camp, previewing the terrain for our summit ascent the next day, returning to our camp after a nice long run.

DAY 3 – Summit Ski Descent

An early morning weather check reveals stars above! We eat breakfast and begin our ascent. The route maintains a consistent angle and we’re able to find a good rhythm, climbing for an hour or an hour and half at a time, taking 10 to 15 minute breaks between stretches. Uphill touring on skis will be our preferred method of ascent, but depending on snow conditions we may use boot crampons and carry our skis for sections.

Our summit day ascends 4000 vertical feet; the last 800 or so feet following the west side of Sherman Crater to the true summit, Grant Peak.

On top we take in spectacular views of the surrounding North Cascades, the Olympic Mountains to the southwest, Glacier Peak and Mt Rainier to the south, and the impressive neighboring Mt Shuksan.

But as this is a ski ascent, the best part is still to come! We click into our bindings, switch our boots to downhill mode, and start our way down. By this time the sun is out in full force and the snow surface has softened. We break up our descent into manageable pitches, weaving around crevasses, losing elevation quickly, making fun turns on the mighty Easton Glacier!

Back at camp after descending the first 4 or 5000′ feet, we take a much deserved rest before packing up and continuing down. The last 3000′ feet to the car is a cruise and before we know it we’re back where we started, having skied over 7500′ feet from the summit of Mt Baker.

On the drive out we stop in Sedro Wolley for a celebratory afternoon meal.

Need rental gear? Items with the RENT link are available through us. Information on where to rent other equipment (such as AT or tele gear) is available on our Rental Gear page.

SKI EQUIPMENT
☐ Skis with touring bindings – AT, tele, or splitboard: Your setup needs to be suitable for uphill touring and downhill skiing/riding.
☐ Boots: AT, tele or snowboard boots.
☐ Poles: Adjustable poles with powder baskets (ex: Black Diamond Traverse).
☐ Climbing skins: Fit to skis (ex: Black Diamond Mohair Mix).
☐ Ski crampons: Specific to your setup, these are essential for this program.

PACK
☐ Overnight pack: 45-70 liter internal frame pack (ex: Black Diamond Mission 75).

SLEEPING SYSTEM
☐ Sleeping bag: Down or synthetic, rated between 0° and 20° F.
☐ Compression stuff sack: Sized appropriately for your bag. 
☐ Inflatable pad: With a good warmth to weight ratio (ex: Thermarest Prolite Plus), a shorter size works will in tandem with a foam pad.
☐ Closed-cell foam pad: Additional warmth for sleeping on snow.

AVALANCHE SAFETY GEAR
☐ Transceiver: Modern, single frequency [457 khz] transceiver, preferably less than five years old. A digital 3-antennae model is highly recommended (ex: BCA Tracker 2, Mammut Pulse Barryvox, Peips DSP). RENT
☐ Shovel: Lightweight avalanche shovel. A metal blade and extendable handle are recommended (ex: G3 Avitech, BCA Companion EXT). RENT
☐ Probe: Dedicated probe, ski pole probes are not sufficient. RENT

TECHNICAL GEAR
☐ Ice axe: Lightweight 50-60cm mountaineering axe recommended (ex: Petzl Snowracer). RENT
☐ Boot crampons: 10 or 12 point mountaineering crampon, aluminum or steel (ex: Petzl Irvis). RENT
☐ Harness: Lightweight alpine harness with adjustable leg loops (ex: Petzl Adjama). For safety reasons, your harness needs to be less than 10 years old and in good condition. RENT
☐ (1) Locking carabiners: Pear shaped recommended (ex: Petzl Attache or Attache 3D).
☐ (1) Non-locking carabiner: Wire gate recommended (ex: Petzl Ange S or Ange L).
☐ Climbing helmet: Needs to be climbing specific (ex: Petzl Elios or Meteor III +). RENT

UPPER BODY
There are many possible layering combinations for your upper body. Use the following recommendations as guidelines:
☐ Baselayer top: Light to medium weight synthetic fabric (ex: Patagonia Capiline 1 or 2).
☐ (2) Insulating layers: Light fleece, softshell or synthetic layer (ex: Patagonia R1 Hoody or Guide Hoody).
☐ Shell jacket with hood: For wind, snow, rain, cold, etc.
☐ Puffy (insulated) jacket: Synthetic or down with a hood (ex: Patagonia Micro Puff).

LOWER BODY
☐ Baselayer bottoms: Medium weight (ex: Patagonia Capiline 2).
☐ Softshell pant: Light to medium weight (ex: Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants).
☐ Hardshell pant: Should have full side zips.
☐ Socks: 2-3 pairs. Wool or synthetic, they should work well with your ski boots. Keep in mind that warmth comes from good circulation, not heavy socks.

HEAD
☐ Sunglasses: Glacier glasses or dark tinted wrap-arounds, should have full UV protection. Consider bringing an extra pair (ex: Julbo Dolgan).
☐ Goggles: Preferably with low light lenses (amber or rose) and UV protection (ex: Julbo Around Excel or Down).
☐ Warm hat
☐ Sun hat: Baseball cap, visor, etc – Weather dependent.
☐ Face protection: Buff® recommended.

HANDS
☐ Light glove: For touring.
☐ Ski glove: Warm enough for sub-freezing temperatures.

MISCELLANEOUS
☐ Heavy trash bags: Cheap, lightweight waterproof lining for your backpack.
☐ Sunscreen: SPF 30 or greater, avoid spray on (ex: Doc Martin’s of Maui).
☐ Lip balm: With SPF protection.
☐ Water bottles(s) or hydration system: Should have a screw top (no bike bottles); hydration system should have an insulated tube.
☐ Water purification tablets: Small bottle of iodine tablets or similar (ex: Potable Aqua). Avoid chlorine dioxide tablets as they are light sensitive and require 4 hours purification time.
☐ Thermos (optional)
☐ Camera: Don’t forget extra batteries.
☐ Watch: Altimeter recommended.
☐ Extra batteries: For your transceiver (usually AAA), headlamp, camera, etc.
☐ Headlamp (ex: Petzl Tikka XP2 or Tikka Plus). RENT
☐ Lighter

FOOD
☐ See Details.

EATING UTENSILS
☐ Insulated mug
☐ Bowl
☐ Spoon or spork

PERSONAL FIRST AID/TOILETRIES
Guides will carry a well-equipped group first aid kit.
☐ Personal first aid/toiletry kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, small bottle of hand sanitizer, gender specific items, ibuprofen or aspirin, any personal prescription drugs (please discuss with us).
☐ TP

OPTIONAL ITEMS
☐ Repair kit: We suggest carrying a small repair kit with items specific to your ski or splitboard equipment. Extra parts, especially for bindings, duct tape, bailing wire, zip ties, etc.
☐ Wax: For skis and to prevent snow from glomming onto your skins.
☐ Whippet: Feel free to bring one if this is something you’re already comfortable skiing with.
☐ iPod

GROUP EQUIPMENT
We will provide all necessary group equipment for you trip such as tents, stoves, ropes, and rescue gear.

EXPERIENCE

• For this trip you should be an advanced skier (comfortable on black diamond resort terrain).
• Some previous backcountry skiing, ski touring, and/or avalanche training is recommended but not required. If you are unsure of your qualifications give us a call or email us.

FITNESS

• Excellent physical fitness is required for this program.
• You should be able to ascend 3000′ in a day carrying 45+ lbs on your back, and 5000′ in a day carrying 30 lbs on your back.
• Physical conditioning should not be underestimated; the better shape you’re in, the more fun you’ll have.

COST INCLUDES

• Guiding and instruction at a 4:1 ratio
• Group equipment: tents, stoves, fuel, ropes, and technical gear
• Permit and insurance costs

NOT INCLUDED

• Lodging and transportation before and after the trip
• Personal equipment and food*

*provided for an additional fee.

FOOD

Lunch Food: In the mountains, “lunch starts after breakfast and ends before dinner”. In other words, on a given day we generally won’t stop for a formal lunch break, and instead we’ll snack all day long. This is vital to maintaining high energy levels in this environment.

Be sure to bring foods that you like and emphasize variety. Energy bars and gels are great but in limited amounts – real food works just as well and tastes better.

Breakfasts & Dinners: Bring meals that can be cooked with just boiling water. Examples include freeze-dried pouches (Mountain House, Backpackers Pantry), ramen noodles, instant oatmeal, etc. The stoves we’ll use are very efficient for heating water but terrible for actually cooking anything.

WHERE TO MEET

Park and Forest Information Center in Sedro Woolley, WA. On the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) approximately 5 miles east of I-5.

Address: 810 State Rte. 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA, 98284

From Seattle: 1.5 hrs
From Bellingham: 45 min

TRAVEL

Flights

Fly in to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. If you intend to fly out on the last day of the program, be sure to schedule an evening flight departing no earlier than 8pm.

Car Rental

Renting a car in Sea-Tac tends to be the easiest option for ground transportation. Let us know if you’re interested in carpooling with other participants on the program and we might be able to help with arrangements.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Mt Vernon has a good selection of hotels and is the closest option to where we meet, about 20 minutes drive from Sedro Woolley. Bellingham is also a good option, about 45 minutes away.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your program. Note that many plans require you purchase insurance within 21 days of your initial deposit.

TravelGuard
TravelEx

RESOURCES

Weather:

Mt Baker Point Forecast

Books:

• Selected Climbs in the Cascades: Volume 1 by Jim Nelson and Peter Potterfield
• Cascade Alpine Guide Volume 3: Rainy Pass to Fraser River by Fred Beckey
• Climbing Washington’s Mountains by Jeff Smoot
• Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering by Martin Volkin, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler