Guided Mountain Adventures in the Pacific Northwest and Beyond!
All skill levels welcome, from first-time rock climbers to experienced ski mountaineers!
Popular and Upcoming Programs
This is an entry-level course for climbers who are new to the world of outdoor rock climbing. It is programmed for climbers who have some experience climbing in the gym, but want to learn how to climb outside safely.
The primary focus of the day is to provide mentorship for those transitioning from the climbing gym to the crag and beyond.
Skills taught in this course
1. Safe belaying techniques
2. Basic anchor building
3. Setting up and cleaning a top rope
4. Leading outside, if applicable
5. Climbing technique
6. Crag etiquette
7. Coiling a rope
Duration: 1 day
Max climber-to-guide ratio: 6:1 with a max group size of 12
Location options: Broughton Bluff, Smith Rock, Horsethief Butte, Ozone, French’s Dome
This is an intermediate-level course focused on traditional climbing gear placements. This course is for experienced outdoor sport lead climbers who want to learn the art of placing removable protection. The objective of this course is for participants to gain experience placing and evaluating traditional climbing gear while lead climbing in a single-pitch setting.
It is required that participants have experience leading sport climbs outside before taking this course.
Skills taught in this course:
1. Passive vs. active gear
2. Placing and removing gear
3. Lead trad climbing preparation and strategy
4. Safe bailing techniques
5. Basic crack climbing technique
6. Basic aid climbing
7. Basic anchor building
Duration: 1 day
Max climber-to-guide ratio: 3:1
Location options: Broughton Bluff, Smith Rock State Park
The multi-pitch course is an intermediate-level course focused on the fundamentals of multi-pitch trad climbing. Throughout the two days of hands-on learning, you will gain the experience necessary to efficiently climb hundreds of feet off the ground and get back down safely.
The multi-pitch course is designed as a two-day course to facilitate learning skills and then applying them on a multi-pitch climb with the mentorship of an experienced guide.
Participants are required to have prior experience leading sport climbs, however, we recommend that you have experience leading on traditional gear prior to the course.
Skills taught in this course:
Multi-pitch preparation and strategy
Basic anchor building
Belaying a follower
Transitioning leaders
Rope management
Multiple rappelling techniques
Basic improvised self-rescue
Meeting Time & Location: 9 AM, Broughton Bluff Parking Lot
The technical rescue course is an intermediate-level one-day program that focuses on improvised rock rescue techniques for both single—and multi-pitch rock climbing. Participants will be introduced to and practice essential rescue skills in a ground school setting and then apply the skills to various practical scenarios off the ground.
Skills taught in this course:
1. Escaping the Belay
2. Technical rope transitions and load transfer
3. Rope ascension
4. Hauling systems (3:1, 5:1, 6:1)
5. Lowering techniques
6. Tandem rappelling
Ready to take your mountaineering to the next level? Our Intro to Mountaineering course is the perfect next step for climbers looking to move confidently into bigger, steeper alpine terrain. Whether you're working toward more advanced guided climbs or planning your own missions, this course will give you the technical foundation to do it with skill and style.
Protecting Exposed Terrain
Alpine climbing often involves moderate to steep snow and 4th to low-5th-class rock. Those exposed, in-between zones are the gateway to efficiency. These sections demand both protection and speed, where the ability to build quick, reliable anchors makes all the difference. We’ll teach you how to move efficiently while staying safe, covering a range of belay systems and protection strategies suited to real alpine environments.
Movement & Efficiency
This course dives into the movement and technical systems needed for steeper, more committing objectives. You’ll sharpen your crampon techniques, dial in effective ice axe use on steep snow, and get hands-on practice building and evaluating various types of alpine anchors.
The goal is to equip you with the confidence and competence to tackle classic alpine routes. Whether that is on a guided climb or on your own future adventures.
The Crevasse Rescue Course is an intermediate-level program held on Mount Hood, designed to teach essential skills for navigating glaciated terrain and executing an efficient crevasse rescue. This course is ideal for experienced mountaineers and backcountry skiers or riders who are already comfortable moving on snow and wish to extend their adventures into areas with glaciated terrain. It also serves as a valuable refresher on snow anchor building and crevasse rescue techniques before embarking on a climb or ski trip.
Participants can expect a full day dedicated to learning and practicing crevasse rescue systems, as well as reviewing techniques for safe glacier travel.
Skills taught in this course
1. Glacier travel rope systems
2. Construction and evaluation of snow anchors
3. Belay techniques
4. Haul systems (2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 6:1)
5. Rappelling and ascending a rope in a rescue scenario
6. Team and solo crevasse rescue scenarios
Easton Glacier
The Easton Glacier route is one of Mt Baker’s most popular and approachable glaciated climbs, offering a classic mountaineering experience with varied terrain and expansive views throughout the ascent. With low angle glacier travel, moderate snow slopes, and a straightforward line to the summit, the Easton Glacier is an excellent objective for climbers new to glaciated peaks as well as seasoned mountaineers looking for a rewarding climb.
Approached from the scenic Park Butte trailhead, this route provides stunning views of the Black Buttes, Colfax Peak, and the Deming Glacier. Mt Baker’s elevation and legendary snowfall help keep the Easton Glacier in excellent condition well into the summer climbing season, making it a reliable and enjoyable objective.
The Easton Glacier is also a fantastic spring ski mountaineering route. Long sustained snow slopes from the summit, combined with thousands of feet of fall line skiing back toward camp, make this one of the most aesthetic ski descents on the mountain. Our ski mountaineering program follows the same itinerary as the mountaineering program.
Duration: 3 days
Climber to guide ratio: 3 to 1 with a max group size of 6
Prerequisites: None
Rates: 1350 per person
Itinerary
Day 1 Approach to Camp
Goal: Hike to Sandy Camp and review essential mountaineering techniques
Approx. Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: ~4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3,000 ft
Morning Meet Up:
Meet your guides and team at the Welcome Store in Deming, WA at 9:00 AM for introductions, gear check, trip briefing, and coffee and pastries.
Drive to the Park Butte trailhead.
Approach:
Hike through forest and alpine meadows on the Park Butte trail, transitioning onto snow as we gain elevation and approach the Easton Glacier. Continue to Sandy Camp, a classic high camp located on the moraine above the glacier.
Afternoon:
Set up tents and camp.
Skills review including crampon technique, self arrest, glacier rope travel, and crevasse rescue fundamentals.
Early dinner and rest in preparation for an alpine start.
Day 2 Climb the Easton Glacier
Goal: Summit Mt Baker via the Easton Glacier
Duration: 7 to 9 hours
Round Trip Distance: ~6 miles
Elevation Gain: ~4,700 ft
Alpine Start: Approximately 3:00 to 5:00 AM departure.
Easton Glacier Climb Overview:
Rope up and ascend the lower Easton Glacier, navigating crevasses and rolling terrain.
Climb the Easton Glacier through rolling snow slopes toward Sherman Crater,.
Continue above the crater rim and onto the Roman Headwall, which is the steepest portion of the climb and leads to the summit.
Summit:
Reach the summit of Mt Baker at 10,781 ft late morning to early afternoon.
Celebrate, hydrate, refuel, and prepare for descent.
Descent:
Descend the Easton Glacier route back to camp.
Enjoy a well earned dinner and rest.
Day 3 Hike Out and Debrief
Goal: Break camp and return to the trailhead
Duration: ~3 hours
Morning:
Breakfast and pack up camp.
Descend the Park Butte trail back to the trailhead for a debrief and celebratory high fives.
Guides provide feedback, next step recommendations, and photos.
Head home.
5-Day Mt. Baker Mountaineering Course
Learn glacier mountaineering on one of the most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest
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, intermediate-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.
Overview
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.
Course Itinerary
Day 1 — Meet Up and Approach to Basecamp
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.
Day 2 — Foundations of Mountaineering and Glacier Travel Systems
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.
Day 3 — Crevasse Rescue and Snow Anchors
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.
Day 4 — Summit Attempt
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.
Day 5 — Descent and Debrief
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.
Key Skills Covered
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
Who This Course Is For
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.
Not sure which program is right for you?
Schedule a free planning call with Koby or Ben. No pressure, just good advice!
Koby Yudkin & Ben Lim
From Smith Rock to Mt. Hood and up to Mt. Baker and the North Cascades, we offer guided rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing adventures and education, led by Portland’s only AMGA certified guides.
What Our Guests Say
"I scheduled a private backcountry ski day and could not have been more satisfied. Ben was patient, positive, and very knowledgeable in the field. I felt very safe and learned a lot in just one day. I would highly recommend Trillium Alpine Guides to everyone!"
Mary M. - First Tracks
“Koby was an expert in all topics covered. He took extra time to make sure everyone understood the skills being taught. Highlights for me were learning how to set snow anchors and crevasse rescue.”
Leslie F. - Crevasse Rescue Course
"I had a fantastic private ski tour with Ben - he was a great travel partner and we absolutely got the goods! I learn a whole lot of up-track tips & tricks from Ben's expertise. Good turns and smiles were shared!"
Sam R. - Private Backcountry Ski Tour
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