Mount Baker Coleman Deming Route
“The Great White Watcher” – 3-Day Glaciated Ascent - Elevation: 10,781 ft / 3,286 m
3 Days From $900 per Person
About this trip
This Mount Baker climb is operated exclusively by Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG) — a professional mountain guiding service co-owned by IFMGA Mountain Guide Willie Benegas, who brings over 30 years of high-level guiding experience to every program.
Climb one of North America’s most iconic glaciated peaks: Mount Baker, known to the Lummi Nation as Komo Kulshan – “The Great White Watcher.”
This 3-day ascent is ideal for beginner and intermediate climbers looking for a true mountaineering experience on a heavily glaciated volcano with big terrain and unforgettable scenery.
Our route ascends the Coleman–Deming, weaving through crevasses, seracs, and icefalls, offering a classic North Cascades mountaineering experience. From the summit, enjoy panoramic views of the North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and the San Juan Islands.
Beginning on the Heliotrope Ridge Trail, we hike to the Hogsback Ridge camp (~6,000 ft) for skills training, preparation, and a beautiful alpine night. This program is ideal as a stand-alone climb or part of a progression toward Rainier, the Mexican volcanoes, Denali, or Himalayan objectives.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Operated by Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG), co-owned by Willie Benegas
- Classic North Cascades glaciated climb
- Perfect for beginner–intermediate climbers
- Comprehensive glacier travel & mountaineering training
- Small groups led by professional mountain guides
- Comfortable camp on Hogsback Ridge
- Available as a 2-day or 3-day custom program
SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN
- Gear selection and rope systems
- Crampon use, axe positioning & efficient snow climbing
- Self-arrest and team-arrest techniques
- Roped glacier travel & crevasse navigation
- Hazard recognition and route assessment
- Alpine camp setup & mountain living skills
- Cold weather systems, weather awareness & LNT ethics
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Professional mountain guide
- National Forest climbing permit
- Group climbing equipment (ropes, anchors, etc.)
- Tents for Washington climbs
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Guide travel expenses
- Food on the mountain
- Transportation to/from the trailhead
- Lodging or camping fees outside the climb
- Parking permits
- Restaurant meals
- Personal climbing and camping gear
8:00 AM – USFS Ranger Station, Glacier, WA
- Trip intro, gear check, pack organization
- Distribute group gear, review LNT practices
- Drive 20 minutes to the trailhead (3,670 ft)
- Hike to Hogsback Camp (5,890 ft) on the Coleman Glacier
- Set camp, review basic skills, enjoy dinner and mountain views
Training covers essential skills for a safe summit climb:
- Ice axe self-arrest
- Crampon & snow climbing techniques
- Roped glacier travel & team arrest
- Knots, hitches, rope systems
- Intro to crevasse rescue (anchors, hauling, knots)
- Final summit prep & early bedtime
Alpine start between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
- Rope up and ascend the Coleman Glacier by headlamp
- Navigate crevasses & serac zones
- Climb Pumice Ridge (~9,100 ft)
- Finish on the Roman Wall, the steepest section
- Reach the summit plateau and tag the top of Mount Baker
- Descend to camp, pack up, and hike out
- Return to Seattle by evening
Flexibility Note:
Guides may move the summit climb to Day 2 if weather or group conditions favor an earlier ascent.
3-Day Glaciated Ascent
Climb one of North America’s most iconic glaciated peaks: Mount Baker
Pricing
Pricing is a typical estimate, final quote will be provided after receiving your inquiry.
3-Day Glaciated Ascent
Climb one of North America’s most iconic glaciated peaks: Mount Baker
