Trip Report: Mt. Baker Beginning Mountaineering Seminar

Mt. Baker summit shot, looking east towards the sunrise.

From July 14-17, CLC held its largest mountaineering event ever. For the first time the Beginning Mountaineering Seminar, held this year at Mt. Baker, attracted a record 14 climbers. As a result, the group had to climb under two permits, travelling and camping separately. The larger team with beginning climbers was led by Shakers Daniel and Jeremy and Movers Pat and Stephanie, while the smaller, experienced team was led by Ian and Ryan.

After a day of gear checks and food buying in Seattle, the group headed north. After checking in with rangers, the teams began their ascent up the Heliotrope Ridge and reached camp by later afternoon.

The experience level of the group varied widely, with some climbers attempting their first mountain and several others freshly returned from Denali. As this was the Beginning Mountaineering Seminar, the trip featured a very strong instruction component, with veteran climbers sharing their experience and expertise. July 16 was devoted to glacier school, where the beginning teams practiced walking on a rope with crampons, crevasse rescue, and self-arrest.

Summit morning came very early the night of July 16/17. Because of unusually warm conditions (temperatures never dropped below 50° F, even at the summit) the teams got a very early alpine start, leaving camp before 11 PM. Unlike in 2013, when the group climbed in a thunderstorm, the weather was clear, affording stunning views of Puget Sound and the North Cascades. One team was turned back by illness, but 10 climbers reached the summit just after dawn. The teams reported light winds and excellent visibility.

After signing the summit register and taking pictures, the group descended, reaching camp before 11 AM. The team broke down camp quickly and headed back down the ridge to the parking lot. Everyone rendezvoused in the town of Glacier for burgers, then went their separate ways. It would be only a few short days before the Intermediate Mountaineering Seminar on Mt. Rainier.

- I.B.